Report shows HISD has taken steps to improve special education program

 The American Institutes for Research (AIR) released a comprehensive new report that finds HISD has already taken specific action that will enable the district to improve outcomes for students with disabilities and implement the report’s recommendations more effectively.

The report, Special Education Program Review, was commissioned by the Houston Independent School District. The HISD Board of Education contracted AIR to assess the district’s strengths and areas in need of improvement with respect to its special education program. The results of the review were presented at the March HISD Board of Education meeting by experts from AIR. Continue reading →

New Kinder HSPVA construction making great progress

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G00000yQomUwgi2I” g_name=”20180305-HSPVA” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

Rising five stories into the air, the new Kinder High School for the Performing and Visual Arts is becoming a real presence in downtown Houston with the building now 80 percent complete and visible progress being made every day.

Permanent power is now connected, and heating, ventilation, and air conditioning systems are up and running. Work on mechanical, electrical, and plumbing systems, as well as installation of internal sheetrock and external masonry is ongoing. Workers will focus next on interior fixtures and finishes. Continue reading →

3 town hall meetings planned on HISD magnet program 

The Houston Independent School District’s Office of School Choice is planning three meetings on proposed changes to the district’s magnet program.

Meeting attendees will have the opportunity to ask questions and learn more about school choice in the district.

Meetings will be held at the following locations and dates. All meetings are from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m.

Tuesday, March 20
Milby High School
1601 Broadway, Houston 77012

Wednesday, March 21
Hattie Mae White
4400 W 18th St., Houston 77092

Thursday, March 22
Wisdom High School
6529 Beverly Hill, Houston 77057

HISD Board of Education to consider reduction in force

‘Critical shortage’ positions eliminated from list of positions eligible for RIF

The Houston Independent School District Board of Education on Thursday will consider a reduction in force for certain term- and continuing-contract employees.

The board’s regular monthly meeting begins at 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 8, 2018 in the Manuel Rodríguez Jr. Board Auditorium of the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center, 4400 W. 18th St. Click here to view the full agenda.

Trustees are expected to consider the two annual reduction in force (RIF) agenda items related to being able to execute a reduction in force of teachers and other campus-based employees, as well as certain central office employees who hold term and continuing contracts. These agenda items were originally scheduled for consideration at the Board’s February meeting, however trustees voted to delay a vote until March. Continue reading →

March Teacher of the Month is Fleming MS science educator

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000yQhWfOakJ.8″ g_name=”20180306-Teacher-of-the-month” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

What started off as an ordinary day for Fleming Middle School teacher Sha’rell Webb on Tuesday morning turned into a surprise of a lifetime, when Area Superintendent Julia Dimmitt interrupted class to announce Webb as the Sterling McCall VIP Services Teacher of the Month for March.

“Mrs. Webb is more than deserving of this recognition,” Dimmitt said. “She not only puts her students’ educational needs first, but those of the entire campus, which shows in their academic achievements.”  Continue reading →

Kolter school community bids farewell to Harvey-damaged campus

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000DdVI7VnpawY” g_name=”20180303-KolterES-Farewell” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

Sugary donuts and hot coffee lined blue tables at the front entrance of Kolter Elementary School as students, faculty, and parents covered their hands with bright-colored paint and marked the building’s exterior with vibrant handprints.

The festivities were part of a “Donuts before Demo” event designed to allow hundreds of community members the chance to say goodbye to their beloved building, which is being demolished and rebuilt due to damages sustained from Hurricane Harvey.

“It’s exciting,” Kolter Principal Julie Dickinson said, smiling. “Although initial circumstances weren’t ideal, we’re getting a new building. It’s worth the wait.”

Continue reading →

20 schools across HISD celebrate National School Breakfast Week 

After the morning bell rang at Alcott Elementary School, students put away their backpacks and pulled their workbooks to the tops of the desks. But a knock on the door signaled it was time for something even more important— breakfast. Continue reading →

HISD Board joined by mayor, lawmakers with message of unity for Houston’s children 

[photoshelter-gallery g_id=”G0000X3jaAhY_iyk” g_name=”20180306-Board-of-education-press-conference” width=”600″ f_fullscreen=”t” bgtrans=”t” pho_credit=”iptc” twoup=”f” f_bbar=”t” f_bbarbig=”f” fsvis=”f” f_show_caption=”t” crop=”f” f_enable_embed_btn=”t” f_htmllinks=”t” f_l=”t” f_send_to_friend_btn=”f” f_show_slidenum=”t” f_topbar=”f” f_show_watermark=”t” img_title=”casc” linkdest=”c” trans=”xfade” target=”_self” tbs=”5000″ f_link=”t” f_smooth=”f” f_mtrx=”t” f_ap=”t” f_up=”f” height=”400″ btype=”old” bcolor=”#CCCCCC” ]

HISD Board of Education President Rhonda Skillern-Jones said Tuesday that the departure of Superintendent Richard Carranza does not change the vision and mission of the district, which remains committed to delivering a quality education to all children “in a unified way.”

“We are one vision, and that is to ensure IR (Improvement Required) schools come off IR, that we don’t have any additional schools go into IR, and that we can use our use limited dollars in a way that does the least harm to impact our classrooms,” Skillern-Jones said.

Superintendent Carranza accepts new role in NYC

She delivered the message standing shoulder to shoulder with fellow trustees, Houston Mayor Sylvester Turner, state Rep. Alma Allen, and U.S. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee. All emphasized that the city, state, and federal government have a role to play in ensuring the success of the district, and that the district is more than one person.  Continue reading →

One new school, three new additions to open this month

One new school building and three school additions will open to students when they return from spring break on March 19. The campuses are part of HISD’s voter-approved 2012 Bond Program to rebuild or replace 40 schools across the district. Continue reading →

HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza accepts new role in NYC

Houston Independent School District Superintendent Richard Carranza on Monday announced his decision to end his tenure as the leader of Texas’ largest school district.

Carranza assumed his role as superintendent with unanimous Board of Education approval in August 2016, promising to improve student academic achievement, provide student support through wraparound services, and create a system of equity for the district’s 284 schools.

“It has been an honor and privilege to have served the students of the Houston Independent School District and bring a voice to communities that have historically been underserved,” Carranza said. “It is with a heavy heart that I announce my departure as I embark on this new journey. I am looking forward to the opportunity of serving the 1.1 million students in New York City. I am forever grateful to the people of Houston for allowing me to be a part of this great city.”

While Carranza leaves in the midst of HISD facing several challenges, we are confident in the ability to overcome those challenges with viable solutions.

“We the Board wish Carranza the best in his endeavors and appreciate the leadership he brought to this district,” said President Rhonda Skillern-Jones. “We are committed to continuing the work he began and moving the district forward.”

The Board will meet on Thursday to discuss next steps.