HISD Board of Education Votes to Continue Advanced Placement Initiative

An initiative that has significantly increased the number of college-level Advanced Placement exams passed by Houston ISD students won unanimous support from the Board of Education on Thursday.

Beginning in the 2009-2010 school year, HISD pledged to pay the AP and International Baccalaureate exam fees for all students enrolled in those college-level courses.  That policy, combined with expanded professional development opportunities that have given more teachers the tools they need to teach the more rigorous courses, has brought the total number of passing AP exam scores in HISD to 6,657, a 35 percent increase over a two-year period.  A score of 3 or higher on an AP exam is accepted by most colleges and universities.

This significant progress in AP exam achievement is among the many reasons why HISD was recently named among four national finalists for the prestigious Broad Prize for Urban Education.  HISD’s senior class of 2013 is now guaranteed $150,000 in Broad scholarships. That figure would rise to $550,000 if HISD were to beat out the other three finalists.

“Efforts such as our AP initiative demonstrate the HISD Board of Education’s commitment to providing every student in every high school access to classes that will prepare them for success in college and in the workplace,” said Superintendent Terry Grier.  “This $1.6 million investment is saving our graduates and their parents millions more dollars in college tuition bills that they won’t have to pay.”

Providing every student at every school with an academically rigorous education is one of the five Core Initiatives outlined in HISD’s Strategic Direction.

In addition to voting to continue paying students’ AP exam fees, the board agreed to spend as much as $338,800 on summer programs that will train more teachers to prepare students for the tests.

Board Shows Support for Recess

The HISD Board of Education unanimously adopted a resolution and policy brought forward by HISD parents that recommends elementary schools offer daily recess in addition to physical education classes (by muanza). The resolution and policy does not mandate that all schools follow this recommendation.  However, all HISD elementary schools are expected to comply with a state law that requires elementary students receive at least 135 minutes per week of physical activity, which may include recess and/or PE.

Scenes from the NACAC Houston National College Fair

HISD students had the opportunity to meet with admissions representatives from nearly 260 colleges and universities at the Houston National College Fair on Thursday, April 12 at Reliant Center. Info on financial aid, virtual campus tours, and advice on writing college essays was provided.

Click through the photos below to see more from the fair.

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HISD graduate appointed first black commander of Texas A&M’s Corps of Cadets

Texas A&M junior Marquis Alexander, who graduated from HISD’s Barbara Jordan High School in 2007, will become commander of the university’s Corps of Cadets – the oldest student organization on campus. According to the Associated Press report:

Nearly a half-century after African-Americans were admitted to predominantly white Texas A&M University, a black student has finally reached the pinnacle of one of its signature organizations.

Marquis Alexander next school year will become commander of A&M’s Corps of Cadets, a high-profile post that involves establishing the cadets’ dress codes for their military-style uniforms and setting their daily schedule, including physical training that can begin before dawn.

According to the AP, Alexander grew up in Houston’s Third Ward. He applied to Texas A&M but enrolled in the Marines while waiting for his acceptance letter to arrive. (He was accepted, but found out after committing to the Marines. He enrolled in the university a year and a half later.) Michael Graczyk writes:

He acknowledges becoming the “face of the university” and he hopes to participate in efforts to encourage people from areas like his at home to make something positive of their lives. … “I hope to serve as a beacon of hope that: Hey, you can do this too.”

For the complete story and photos of Alexander, click here.

To learn more about Barbara Jordan High School and HISD’s other magnet programs, click here.

HISD to Dedicate New Environmental Science Magnet School Berry Elementary

HISD Board of Education Trustee Rhonda Skillern-Jones will address a crowd of students, parents, community members, alumni, and HISD staff at the dedication ceremony for the new Berry Elementary School (2310 Berry Road) on Monday, April 16th at 9 a.m.

“I am so thrilled for the Berry Elementary community!  This lovely new school was designed to create a positive learning environment and to inspire students to want to learn and to grow,” said Skillern-Jones.  “With these excellent teachers and this beautiful, technology-driven environment, I know we will see more great leaders emerge from Berry Elementary.”

Berry is among many schools taking part in the Houston Independent School District’s Green School Challenge in which students track how much energy is used on campus and suggest ways to make us even more energy efficient.

“Our students are studying the connection between the environment and they way we live, and this new energy-efficient campus is a huge part of the learning process,” said Principal Deborah Silber, referring to the school’s environmental science magnet program. “It is no accident that we are dedicating our campus during National Environmental Education Week.” 

The new Berry facility is built to Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) standards – Gold level and is projected to have a 38 percent reduction in water use, and a 24.5 percent reduction in energy use.  The district has committed to build all new construction projects to LEED standards. 

            The $805 million bond referendum approved by voters in 2007 made the project possible. The new school includes:

  • New library;
  • New science classrooms;
  • Outdoor garden and habitat;
  • New computer lab; and
  • Smart Board technology in all classrooms.

 For more information about other school construction projects district wide, visit www.hisdprojects.org.

HISD Board of Education to Consider Continuing Advanced Placement Initiative

Houston ISD students are earning more college credits through tough Advanced Placement exams than ever before thanks to an initiative that the Board of Education is set to consider continuing during its regular meeting scheduled for today, April 12.

Beginning in the 2009-2010 school year, HISD pledged to pay the AP and International Baccalaureate exam fees for all students enrolled in those college-level courses.  That policy, combined with expanded professional development opportunities that have given more teachers the tools they need to teach the more rigorous courses, has brought the total number of passing AP exam scores in HISD to 6,657, a 35 percent increase over a two-year period.  A score of 3 or higher on an AP exam is accepted by most colleges and universities.

This significant progress in AP exam achievement is among the many reasons why HISD was recently named among four national finalists for the prestigious Broad Prize for Urban Education.  HISD’s senior class of 2013 is now guaranteed $150,000 in Broad scholarships. That figure would rise to $550,000 if HISD were to beat out the other three finalists.

“Efforts such as our AP initiative demonstrate the HISD Board of Education’s commitment to providing every student in every high school access to classes that will prepare them for success in college and in the workplace,” said Superintendent Terry Grier.  “This $1.6 million investment is saving our graduates and their parents millions more dollars in college tuition bills that they won’t have to pay.”

Providing every student at every school with an academically rigorous education is one of the five Core Initiatives outlined in HISD’s Strategic Direction.

In addition to voting on whether to continue paying students’ AP exam fees, the board is expected to vote today on a proposal to spend as much as $338,800 on summer programs that will train more teachers to prepare students for the tests.

The HISD Board of Education will also consider a resolution and policy brought forward by HISD parents that recommends elementary schools offer daily recess in addition to physical education classes. As written, the resolution and policy would not mandate that all schools follow this recommendation.  However, all HISD elementary schools are expected to comply with a state law that requires elementary students receive at least 135 minutes per week of physical activity, which may include recess and/or PE.

The board’s regular monthly meeting begins at 5 p.m. on Thursday, April 12, 2012 in the board auditorium of the Hattie Mae White Educational Support Center (4400 West 18th St., 77092).

The board is scheduled to receive status updates on a number of projects and vote on several programs, contracts, and grants. For a full copy of the Board meeting agenda, click here.  The board meeting will be carried live on HISD’s website and on the HISD Channel, which can be found on Comcast Channel 18 or AT&T Channel 99.

Board President Television Show Takes an “Up Close” look at Bellfort Early Childhood Center and Black Middle School

Who: The April 2012 edition of HISD Up Close hosted by HISD Board of Education President Michael Lunceford features an interview with fellow board Trustee Rhonda Skillern-Jones about community efforts in District II to revitalize Frank Black Middle School.  The show also gives viewers a tour of the Bellfort Early Childhood Center, a successful school renovation project completed as a result of the $805 million bond referendum approved by Houston voters in 2007, and a look at how state and federal budget cuts are affecting the development of HISD’s 2012-2013 school year budget.

What: Monthly HISD UP Close television show hosted by Board President Michael Lunceford.

When: Throughout the month of April at www.houstonisd.org and on HISD-TV (Comcast channel 18 and AT&T U-verse channel 99) on Wednesdays, Fridays and Sundays at 8:30 p.m.

Why: HISD Board President Michael Lunceford is committed to showcasing some of the amazing things happening at HISD schools across the district, in addition to highlighting district initiatives and accomplishments. His monthly show will regularly feature a tour of a bond construction school, an interview with one of his colleagues on the HISD Board of Education, and a segment showcasing the academic accomplishments of HISD students and the dedication of HISD staff.

Learn More about College Options at the Free Houston National College Fair

The Houston National College Fair will be held on Thursday April 12, 2012 at the Reliant Center (1 Reliant Park) in Hall A from 12:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m. and 6 p.m. – 8 p.m. The event, which is FREE and open to the public, is sponsored by the National Association for College Admission Counseling.

Students and parents will be able to meet with representatives from more than 250 national, international, public, private, two-year and four-year colleges and universities. Counselors will be available to discuss individual admission requirements, financial assistance options, course offerings, and other information pertinent to the college-selection process. At the fair’s counseling center, students and parents can discuss their individual needs with college experts.

To make it easier to navigate the fair and to collect information from multiple schools, students are encouraged to register before attending the event. By registering in advance students can print a bar coded confirmation to be used on-site at the fair as an electronic ID. Online registration is available at https://www.gotomyncf.com/.
Houston Independent School District students who have already registered should check with the College Access Coordinator at their campus for their registration code.

HISD students continue to make great strides in the pursuit of higher education. In 2011, the number of HISD graduates accepted into 4- or- 2 year colleges and universities reached 88 percent. Additionally, the amount of scholarship money awarded to HISD students has steadily increased throughout the past few years. In the 2011 HISD students were offered nearly $130 million in scholarship money, compared to $81 million in 2009.

Now in its 40th year, the National College Fair program annually helps more than 650,000 students and families nationwide explore their options for higher education, making it one of the most visible college recruitment fairs in the country.

HISD Response to Issues Raised by Houston Educational Support Personnel Union

Student and employee safety is the top priority of the Houston Independent School District. HISD’s efforts to protect students and staff include a comprehensive school bus safety and student discipline strategy. HISD officials are aware of the student discipline concerns raised by the Houston Educational Support Personnel union and the district takes these concerns seriously. District officials are reviewing the Student Code of Conduct to determine whether revisions are necessary. This review will include an evaluation of the union’s request to include a more specific mechanism for suspending bus riding privileges for students with ongoing disciplinary issues.

Steps HISD has taken to ensure bus safety include:
• All bus drivers this year received four hours of student management training.
• Every HISD bus is equipped with at least two security video cameras.
• HISD transportation administrators conduct monthly roundtable discussions with employees at each bus terminal to hear employees’ concerns and address them.

HISD bus drivers are asked to report all disciplinary issues to their supervisors. The supervisors then investigate the incident by reviewing videotape, usually within 24 hours of receiving the complaint. Based on the results of the video, either the school and/or HSID police are informed of the incident and given the opportunity to review the video. Appropriate action is then taken by the school or police.

The HISD transportation department is unaware of any unresolved issues regarding specific incidents brought forward by bus drivers. Transportation officials have asked union officials to provide a list of specific instances in which they feel appropriate action was not taken, but we have received no such list at this point. If such a list is provided, HISD will investigate thoroughly.

Upcoming Motor Activities Training Program Challenge Day at T.H. Rogers School

It’s time once again for the T.H. Rogers School Motor Activities Training Program (MATP) Challenge Day. Each year this fun-filled event gives students with severe physical disabilities a chance to demonstrate their personal best in a variety of sporting events. A tropical luau will serve as the theme for this year’s MATP Challenge Day. Students, faculty, and staff from Barbara Bush Elementary and Memorial Elementary will also take part in the festivities.

Who: T.H. Rogers School MI/PSI Students, Parents, Faculty, and Staff

What: Motor Activities Training Program (MATP) Challenge Day

When: Friday, April 13, 2012, Opening Ceremonies: 9:30 a.m.

Where: 5840 San Felipe Road, Houston, 77057

National College Fair coming to Reliant Center

HISD students will have the opportunity to meet with admissions representatives from nearly 260 colleges and universities at the Houston National College Fair on Thursday, April 12.

The event, which is organized by the National Association for College Admission Counseling, will be held from 12:30 p.m. to 2:30 p.m., and 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m., at Reliant Center (One Reliant Park, Houston, TX 77054). It will provide information about national and international schools, public and private universities, two-year and four-year programs, admissions requirements, and financial aid.

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