Schools - Houston ISD RSS Feed

HISD NAMES CHIEF MIDDLE SCHOOL OFFICER

No Author — Fri, 11 May 2012 10:21:00 EST

Michael Cardona brings experience as teacher and principal to new post

HOUSTON ISD � Michael Cardona, whose leadership of a high school and a middle school in San Antonio led to significant student achievement gains, has been named Houston ISD�s chief middle school officer.

Cardona comes to the Houston Independent School District from North East ISD, where he has served as principal of Robert E. Lee High School since 2009. He previously served as principal of North East�s Driscoll Middle School from 2006 to 2009. Cardona was among just five Texas finalists for this year�s H-E-B Excellence in Education Secondary School Principal Award.

HISD Superintendent Terry Grier said Cardona has the expertise needed to continue the transformation of Houston middle schools.

HISD BOARD OF EDUCATION VOTES FOR MORE CLASS TIME

No Author — Fri, 11 May 2012 06:19:00 EST

Policy gives schools more time to offer recess, other activities

HOUSTON ISD � The Houston ISD Board of Education on Thursday gave preliminary approval to a policy requiring all schools to adopt a minimum 7 hour and 15 minute daily schedule.

The proposal is intended to provide schools more flexibility to meet their students� academic and developmental needs. Earlier this spring, the Board of Education approved a resolution encouraging all elementary principals to offer their students daily recess, and this proposal would further enable them to do so.

Currently, the length of school days at HISD campuses ranges from 7 hours to 7 hours and 40 minutes, meaning no school�s day would be lengthened by more than 15 minutes under this proposal.

HISD BOARD OF EDUCATION TO CONSIDER MORE ELEMENTARY SCHOOL CLASS TIME

No Author — Thu, 10 May 2012 14:32:00 EST

Policy would give schools more time to offer recess, other activities

HOUSTON ISD � The Houston ISD Board of Education today will consider giving preliminary approval to a policy requiring all elementary schools to adopt a minimum 7 hour and 15 minute daily schedule.

The proposal is intended to provide schools more flexibility to meet their students� academic and developmental needs. Earlier this spring, the Board of Education approved a resolution encouraging all elementary principals to offer their students daily recess, and this proposal would further enable them to do so.

Currently, the length of school days at HISD elementary campuses ranges from 7 hours to 7 hours and 40 minutes, meaning no school�s day would be lengthened by more than 15 minutes under this proposal.

HISD WITHDRAWS BREACH OF CONTRACT CLAIM AND ENLISTS ASSISTANCE OF DON LEE FARMS AS PART OF "PINK SLIME" SETTLEMENT

No Author — Wed, 09 May 2012 06:45:00 EST

HOUSTON ISD - HISD has withdrawn its allegation that Don Lee Farms breached its contract regarding lean finely textured beef (LFTB) and Don Lee Farms has agreed to redistribute the Charbroiled 100% Beef Patties to other customers requesting the product.

This agreement resolves any and all outstanding issues regarding LFTB and the product currently in HISD's possession.

HISD and Don Lee Farms have agreed to continue working together to support student achievement through proper nutrition.

HIGH MARKS FOR HISD IN U.S. NEWS' BEST HIGH SCHOOLS RANKINGS

No Author — Tue, 08 May 2012 14:21:00 EST

Eight Houston schools ranked among Texas� top 100; six campuses crack the nation�s top 400

HOUSTON ISD � Eight Houston ISD high schools are among Texas� top 100 in U.S. News� Best High Schools Rankings issued today, and six HISD schools are listed among the nation�s top 400.

The magazine produced the rankings based on an analysis of data from nearly 22,000 U.S. high schools. The rankings� methodology gives considerable weight to the percentage of graduates who are considered college-ready based on students� performance on college-level Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate exams. Using the magazine�s standard, 27 of HISD�s 33 rated high schools � 82 percent -- meet or exceed the state average when it comes to college readiness.

COMMUNITY LEADERS INSPIRE HISD STUDENTS TO "MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN THE 21ST CENTURY"

No Author — Sat, 05 May 2012 14:07:00 EST

More than 100 guest speakers to address students at Dowling Middle School of Fine Arts during annual career day

HOUSTON ISD � More than 100 guest speakers will offer words of advice to students at Dowling Middle School of Fine Arts during the annual career day. This year�s theme is �Making a Difference in the 21st Century.� Professionals from a wide variety of careers including city leaders, entrepreneurs, and former professional athletes will share the experiences and challenges they have faced while climbing the ladder of success.

Who: More than a 100 guest speakers including Houston City Council members, local community leaders, entrepreneurs, former professional athletes

What: Dowling Middle School of Fine Arts� Magnet and 21st Century Programs host 2012 Career Day: �Making a Difference in the 21st Century.�

HISD A FINALIST FOR THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION FOR PUPIL TRANSPORTATION'S LARSON QUALITY AWARD

No Author — Fri, 04 May 2012 09:51:00 EST

HOUSTON ISD � The Houston Independent School District Transportation Department has been selected as a finalist for the prestigious national Larson Quality Award. The Leland E.G. Larson Quality Student Transportation Program was developed to spotlight school bus operations that provide high quality customer service in safety centered operations.

�We are honored to be one of two districts nationally under consideration for this award,� said HISD�s Chief Operating Officer Leo Bobadilla. �Our bus drivers, mechanics and all of our transportation staff deserve the credit for achieving this prestigious recognition and for their commitment to safely transport our students to and from school every day.�

There are three phases to the program. The Houston ISD Transportation Department received �exemplary� assessments in the first two phases of the program, which qualified the department to move to the third phase.

HISD IS FIRST DISTRICT TO BE AWARDED CLIMATE CORPS FELLOW FROM ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENSE FUND

No Author — Sun, 29 Apr 2012 07:45:00 EST

Top-tier MBA student to develop customized energy plan for district

HOUSTON ISD � The Houston Independent School District is the first district to be awarded an Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) Climate Corps Fellow this summer to develop a customized energy plan for implementation district wide. Joseph Konkel, instructional assistant at the University of Houston�s College of Business, will provide consulting and expertise on the district�s energy needs during this summer.

�We are thrilled to be awarded this Climate Corps Fellow as it will provide HISD added support as we continue with our energy efficiency efforts across the district,� said HISD Energy Manager Gavin Dillingham. �Having a Climate Corps fellow will allow the district to prioritize facilities for large scale capital retrofits.�

HISD HOSTS 2ND ANNUAL SCHOOL CHOICE FAIR

No Author — Fri, 27 Apr 2012 07:42:00 EST

Parents and students can learn about all of the options still available for the 2012-2013 school year

HOUSTON ISD � The Houston Independent School District will host its second annual school choice fair. Since HISD is a district of choice, parents can apply to programs and schools outside of their attendance zone. Parents will have an opportunity to meet principals, magnet coordinators, and teachers. There will be presentations in English and Spanish on how to apply to the Magnet and Vanguard programs and how to apply for a school transfer. Parents will also be able to fill out applications onsite. Last year more than 2,000 parents attended the school choice fair.

Who: Parents, Students, and Families interested in finding an HISD school for the 2012-2013 year.

HISD SCHOOLS DOMINATE ADVOCACY GROUP'S SCHOOL RANKINGS

No Author — Mon, 23 Apr 2012 10:17:00 EST

Houston schools sweep top-three spots ranking the 8-county region�s elementary, middle and high schools

HOUSTON ISD � Houston ISD boasts the eight-county region�s top three elementary, middle, and high schools, according to the 2012 Texas Public School Rankings announced Monday by Children at Risk. The rankings include schools from 58 school districts, plus charter schools.

The results mark HISD�s strongest showing since the non-profit child advocacy and research organization began issuing the rankings in 2006. The announcement was made during a ceremony at HISD�s High School for Law Enforcement and Criminal Justice, which is among the region�s top 15 high schools.

HISD SEEKS REFUND FROM HAMBURGER PATTY VENDOR

No Author — Sat, 21 Apr 2012 09:26:00 EST

HISD alleges supplier violated district bid specifications

HOUSTON ISD � The Houston Independent School District has accused a California-based food supplier of breaching its contract with the district by using lean finely textured beef (LFTB) in hamburger patties sold to the district.

HISD officials conducting an inventory of all food supplies in the wake of parents� concerns about the use of LFTB discovered that Don Lee Farms included the product in quarter-pound beef patties sold to HISD this year. The district has committed to not serving LFTB and has confirmed that no suppliers of ground beef served in HISD schools use LFTB.

HISD�s bid specifications prohibit any variety meats, filler, or extenders in the foods served in the district�s cafeterias. LFTB is treated with Ammonium hydroxide and is not sold as a stand- alone product.

HISD UNVEILS BUDGET PROPOSAL WITH NO TAX RATE INCREASE

No Author — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 14:36:00 EST

Plan addresses $53.2 million deficit with no tax increase and includes first pay raise in two years for most employees

HOUSTON ISD � The HISD Board of Education was presented with a 2012-2013 budget proposal today that addresses a $53.2 million deficit while maintaining the current property tax rate and per-student funding levels.

Like other school systems across Texas, the Houston Independent School District is grappling with the fallout of the Texas Legislature�s decision to reduce education funding by $5.3 billion over a two-year period.. For HISD, the two-year cut totals more than $120 million.

The proposal, which requires school board approval, calls for a $16.5 million employee compensation package that would help HISD keep pace with a growing number of Texas school districts that have already announced plans to approve pay raises.

HISD STUDENTS HELP LAUNCH NATIONAL COLLEGE PLANNING WEBSITE

No Author — Thu, 19 Apr 2012 10:17:00 EST

HOUSTON ISD � Superintendent Terry Grier on Friday will visit Sam Houston Math, Science, and Technology Center staff and students to celebrate the Houston Independent School District being chosen to launch the BigFuture college planning website. BigFuture, a free comprehensive website offered by the College Board, will serve as a nationwide resource for students, counselors, teachers, and parents seeking information about preparing for, applying to and paying for college.

Who: HISD Superintendent Dr. Terry Grier, Board of Education Trustee Anna Eastman, Richard Middleton College Board Regional Vice-President, Sam Houston Principal Jane Crump, and HISD Students

What: Dr. Grier recognizes HISD as the first school district to work with the College Board to create forthcoming videos to be included on the BigFuture college planning website.

HISD GRADUATE APPOINTED AS COMMANDER OF TEXAS A&M UNIVERSITY'S CORP OF CADETS

No Author — Mon, 16 Apr 2012 06:45:00 EST

First African-American student appointed to this post in A&M

HOUSTON ISD � Marquis Alexander, a 2007 graduate of HISD�s Barbara Jordan High School for Careers, has been selected as the commander for the 2012-2013 Texas A&M University�s Corps of Cadets. It�s the first time in the university�s 136 year history that an African-American student will assume this prestigious position.

As commander, Alexander, 22, will represent the university and will voice the cadets� concerns to administrators. He will also help establish policies and initiatives for the corps.

�To be the corps commander in charge of more than 2,300 cadets and the voice for this group is the highlight of my college career and probably my life thus far,� said Alexander.

HISD SCHOOLS VYING TO HAVE SCIENCE EXPERIMENTS FLOWN INTO SPACE

No Author — Sat, 14 Apr 2012 08:48:00 EST

Initiative marks unique collaboration among 6 HISD schools

HOUSTON ISD Science experiments made by students from six HISD schools could soon be flying in space. Students from Garden Oaks Elementary, Parker Elementary, Black Middle, Johnston Middle, Pershing Middle, and Washington High Schools have created experiments that if selected would fly aboard a mini research laboratory on the International Space Station.

The students had to develop and create experiments covering a diverse range of topics including seed germination, crystal growth, cell biology and growth, and food studies. Engineers from NASA worked with the students on their proposals and designs. Some student teams also designed a mission patch to fly in space with their experiments.

HISD BOARD OF EDUCATION VOTES TO CONTINUE ADVANCED PLACEMENT INITIATIVE

No Author — Fri, 13 Apr 2012 15:54:00 EST

Number of college-level Advanced Placement exams passed by HISD students has climbed 35 percent since AP initiative began

HOUSTON ISD � 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.

HISD BOARD OF EDUCATION TO CONSIDER CONTINUING ADVANCED PLACEMENT INITIATIVE

No Author — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 16:54:00 EST

Number of college-level Advanced Placement exams passed by HISD students has climbed 35 percent since AP initiative began

HOUSTON ISD - 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.

HISD TO DEDICATE NEW BERRY ELEMENTARY SCHOOL

No Author — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 10:19:00 EST

New Home for Environmental Science Magnet School

HOUSTON ISD � 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.�

BOARD PRESIDENT TELEVISION SHOW TAKES AN "UP CLOSE" LOOK AT BELLFORT EARLY CHILDHOOD CENTER AND BLACK MIDDLE SCHOOL

No Author — Thu, 12 Apr 2012 06:29:00 EST

April 2012 edition showcases bond renovations at the Bellfort Early Childhood Center, community efforts to revitalize Black Middle School, and efforts to preserve state and federal funding for public education

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.

HISD RESPONSE TO ISSUES RAISED BY HOUSTON EDUCATIONAL SUPPORT PERSONNEL UNION

No Author — Tue, 10 Apr 2012 12:51:00 EST

HOUSTON ISD � 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.

HOUSTON ISD NAMED FINALIST FOR NATION'S MOST PRESTIGIOUS EDUCATION AWARD

No Author — Wed, 04 Apr 2012 11:28:00 EST

Broad Prize for Urban Education recognizes districts for strong academic achievement and narrowing the achievement gap

HOUSTON ISD � A decade after it won the inaugural Broad Prize for Urban Education, the Houston Independent School District was named today by The Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation as one of four urban school districts in the country selected as a finalist for the 2012 Broad Prize. If the district wins the award this fall, HISD high school seniors who graduate in 2013 will receive $550,000 in college scholarships, but they are guaranteed at least $150,000 since the district is a finalist.

The Broad (rhymes with �road�) Prize for Urban Education is an annual $1 million award � the largest education prize in the country � that honors urban school districts that demonstrate the greatest overall performance and improvement in student achievement while reducing achievement gaps among poor and minority students.

PUBLIC HEARINGS ON HISD BUDGET SITUATION AND BELL SCHEDULE PROPOSAL BEGIN TONIGHT

No Author — Tue, 03 Apr 2012 15:15:00 EST

Community asked to give feedback on plan to add 19 minutes to the school day

HOUSTON ISD � The first of 11 public meetings to gather input on a plan to add 19 minutes to the average school day with a uniform bell schedule for all Houston Independent School District campuses will be held tonight at three high schools.

HISD is looking for more ways to reduce spending as the district seeks to address a projected $34 million shortfall for the 2012-2013 school year. The shortfall is primarily a result of last year�s decision by the Texas Legislature to reduce public education funding by $5.3 billion.

OUTSIDE AUDIT RECOMMENDS IMPROVEMENTS TO HISD CONTRACTING PRACTICES

No Author — Thu, 29 Mar 2012 17:07:00 EST

Auditors note that many recommended changes are already being made

HOUSTON ISD � A third-party audit of the Houston Independent School District�s contracting practices has found HISD�s conflict-of-interest policies are more stringent than those used by most other school systems, although there are several potential areas for improving business practices.

The HISD Board of Education requested the audit as part of an ongoing effort to ensure that the district is making the best use of taxpayer dollars when deciding which businesses will be awarded contracts with HISD. The findings were presented to the board during an open meeting today by Charles Yaple, a partner with Null-Lairson Certified Public Accountants.

HISD HOSTS NATIONAL EDUCATION LEADERS FOR LEAGUE OF INNOVATIVE SCHOOLS GATHERING

No Author — Mon, 26 Mar 2012 09:31:00 EST

HOUSTON ISD � The Houston Independent School District hosted some of the country�s most innovative education leaders on Monday, March 19 for the second meeting of the League of Innovative Schools.

The League is an alliance of school districts committed to working with entrepreneurs, researchers, thought leaders and leading education companies to dramatically increase student achievement. The League was launched in partnership with the U.S. Department of Education and Digital Promise, the new national center created by Congress to advance breakthroughs in education with technology. The purpose of this initiative is to spur innovation in education and prepare all students to thrive in a 21st century economy.