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RISD thanks our 2012-13 scoreboard sponsors!
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As promised, I want to keep you apprised of legislation pertinent to education. To date, more than 1,500 bills and proposed constitutional amendments have been introduced for consideration by the members of the 83rd Texas Legislature. In both the House and Senate combined, approximately 150 bills have now been filed under the Texas Legislative Council's broad category of "Education" which equates to roughly 10 percent of all legislation filed to date.
Accountability and Assessment:
A number of bills concerning accountability and assessment have been filed. Last week, the Senate passed its first bill of the session. SB135, by Senate Education Committee Chair Dan Patrick of Houston, would remove the requirement that high school end-of-course examinations make up 15 percent of a student's final grade and permit local districts to decide how these exams affect final grades, ranging from zero to fifteen percent. That bill now heads to the House for approval.
Both HB5, by House Education Committee Chair Representative Aycock, and SB3, by Senator Patrick, propose changes to the 4 x 4 graduation plans. The bills add endorsements in four areas such as Business/Industry, Arts/Humanities, STEM, and Public Services or Distinguished.
In addition, HB5 eliminates the requirement that all students must pass Algebra II and ELA III to receive a high school diploma, reduces the number of end-of-course assessments from fifteen to five, and allows students to meet their graduation assessment requirement by passing ELA II (reading and writing), Algebra I, Biology and US History. HB5 also eliminates the 15 percent rule and allows satisfactory performance on Advanced Placement exams, SAT exams and the ACT to satisfy graduation requirements. HB5 does establish a new accountability system that evaluates schools on financial performance, community and student engagement, and academic performance. In each of these categories, schools would be given a rating of A-F.
SB3 creates a new foundation program for high school graduation with 11.5 elective credits and 14.5 credits in specified areas: 4 in English, 3 in math, 2 in science, 3 in social studies, 1/2 in speech, 1 in PE, and 1 in fine arts or CTE. Students could earn endorsements in one of four areas by completing specified additional course requirements. Personal graduation plans (PGPs) would be required for all middle, junior high and high school students. The number of EOC tests taken by individual students for graduation requirements could range from 8 to 12, counting reading and writing together as one English test.
Outside of the 83rd Legislative Session, Texas Education Agency Commissioner Michael Williams announced that TEA will not assign accreditation statuses to districts or charters this year, based on last year's STAAR results, FIRST results, data reporting, special program effectiveness, and compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements as is normally required by statute.
Instruction:
Several bills, including HB273, HB904, and HB274 address limiting and/or reporting class size. Other bills address physical education, dyslexia training, and pre-school programs.
Funding:
In case you missed the recent special edition of School Times Now, I want to let you know that State District Judge John Dietz ruled on February 4 that the system Texas uses to fund public education is unconstitutional. The ruling came at the conclusion of a trial brought by over 600 Texas school districts, including RISD, against the state of Texas that began in October of last year. Judge Dietz held that the school finance system has evolved into an unconstitutional state property tax and that the system fails to provide enough funding to provide a constitutionally adequate education. Technically, Judge Dietz will not enter his final, written order in the case until March, and then the state is almost certain to appeal directly to the Texas Supreme Court. This timing means that the earliest that the State would likely address an overhaul in the school funding system would be in a special session in summer, 2014.
Safety:
The Texas School District Security Act is being discussed by several legislators including Senator Williams, Senator Whitmire and Representative Huberty. Among other things, the legislation would allow individual school districts to vote on dedicated funding for enhanced school security measures.
One of the most consistent statements that we hear from legislators is the need to hear from all voters. I encourage you to contact your legislators with your opinions on any of these, or other, proposed measures. You can make a difference through your actions.
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RISD District Spelling Bee |
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2012 STAAR 3-8 Results Available |
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 The district recently received State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) results for the 3-8 graders that took an assessment in spring of 2012. The results represent the first year of the state's transition to a new testing system. The STAAR system replaced the Texas Assessments of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) in the 2011-2012 school year in grades 3-9. The STAAR End of Course (EOC) assessment results from last spring, taken primarily by last year's ninth-graders, were released before the end of last school year.
Like the STAAR EOC results, passing standards for the STAAR 3-8 results are being phased in, which is common with new tests. Unlike the 2012 STAAR EOC results, the 2012 STAAR 3-8 results do not have an impact on a student's academic standing. The state has provided confidential student reports (CSRs) to RISD which the district is providing to parents to inform them of their children's performance. In addition, school counselors are available for any questions parents may have as they read the reports.
The state of Texas also released statewide 2012 STAAR 3-8 assessment results. In the All Student category, RISD students outperformed their peers across Texas on 15 of the 17 assessments at the Level II (passing) phase-in standard.
The STAAR tests are more rigorous than the TAKS tests they replaced, but RISD students continue to achieve higher passing rates than the State in almost every subject. RISD's seventh grade math scores were slightly lower than those of the state, 68% versus 71%. Much of the difference can be attributed to the RISD decision to test seventh graders above their grade level, as directed by TEA, if they were receiving the majority of their instruction above grade level. Not all school districts complied with the new requirements regarding above grade level testing. TEA has since clarified their instructions and we expect to see more comparable data in the future. The RISD passing rate of 67% on the 7th grade writing assessment was also lower than the State level of 71%. RISD instructional staff and teachers will evaluate the 2012 STAAR 3-8 results to help determine if specific areas of curricular or instructional change or emphasis may be necessary moving forward.
Eventually, STAAR assessment results will impact a student's academic standing and also contribute toward new school and district accountability ratings. That portion of the new state accountability system has not yet been finalized.
To view RISD's 2012 STAAR 3-8 grade results, please click here.
Click here to see a video to help parents understand their STAAR Confidential Student Report.
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MTE Staff are Heart Smart!
Mark Twain Elementary teachers and staff helped spread awareness about heart disease by participating in National Wear Red Day. >Top |
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Northlake Elementary Promotes Heart Health
Northlake Elementary has been celebrating the National Heart Awareness initiative this month holding organized Jump Rope for Heart competitions among their K-6 students. On March 7th from 6-8 p.m. in their cafetorium, they will be holding a health fair, which will include: information about asthma, diabetes, dental health, fitness and nutrition, child safety, poison control, diabetes, and breast cancer; Medicaid and CHIP registration with blood pressure screening by RISD nurses. Northlake will be giving away bike helmets and one 3-month membership to the Lake Highlands YMCA. You will not want to miss this event, which is free and open to the public. >Top |
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Prairie Creek's Gifts From The Heart
As part of American Heart Month, and with a Valentine's Day twist, Prairie Creek Elementary recently hosted Carter Bloodcare for a blood drive on February 14.
Nurse Shara Strickland and Executive Assistant Margaret Kizzia spearheaded the effort, which saw staff and parents, including principal Kyle Stuard, give the gift of life. >Top
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Children's Poet Visits RISD Libraries |
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Big Springs hosts Multicultural Night |
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Hamilton Park Pacesetter Magnet and Texas Instruments Mentoring Program |
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"Out of this World" Math/Science Family Night |
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Berkner High School
Berkner Robotics
The Berkner "Fearless" Robotics Club had an amazing tournament in Austin recently, finishing in 2nd place as Tournament Finalists. BHS also won the individual "programming skills award" for best autonomous robot. Finally, all BHS teams collectively won the "Think Award" for an innovative approach to robotic programming by using a flexible programming template. Team updates & photos can be found at www.berknerrobotics.com. >Top |
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Berkner High Students Win Optimist Speech Contest
The Optimist Club of Richardson held its annual Optimist International Oratorical Contest last month at the First Community Bank in Richardson. First Place honors went to Asif Sheikh of Berkner High School and Second Place honors to Roberto Caballero, also of Berkner High.
The Club contest was judged by members of the Richardson Toastmasters and the Optimist Club. Mr. Sheikh will advance to the Zone Contest where he will compete with winners from other Optimist Clubs in the area for the chance to win scholarship funds.>Top |
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George Washington Visits Bowie Elementary |
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Prairie Creek Elementary Skype Pals with Long Island School |
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6th Graders at Northlake Donate Bowls for FoodBank Initiative |
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Creating Character through Karate |
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| Karate Class during Fall enrichment clusters |
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Texas Karate Institute is helping Spring Valley Elementary students develop self esteem, confidence, focus, fitness, discipline and commitment. Mr. David Mason and Mr. Juan Warner have been donating their time to instruct students during the school's enrichment clusters.
Texas Karate Institute, now celebrating its 51st year, is the oldest professional Karate school in Texas.
At Spring Valley's recent Science/Writing/Reading and Math Night (SWARM), the Texas Karate Institute performed for students and parents. Mr. Mike Hamilton (adult Black Belt), Liana Rivera (first degree Black Belt, senior at Berkner High School) and Espino Barros (9 year old, advance belts competitor) demonstrated various karate moves and actions. A highlight included Mr. Hamilton teaching Nurse Sherry Freeland to break a wood board using her elbow in only a few quick lessons.
Spring Valley is grateful for good neighbors like Texas Karate Institute who contribute their time and effort to help create character in the children at Spring Valley.
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Did you know that children begin making decisions about their future in subtle but important ways as early as Kindergarten? The beliefs they form about themselves and the working world from ages 6-13 impact early career decision-making processes in high school and beyond. Empower yourself with knowledge so you can help set the foundations for career readiness.
Date: Thursday, February 28, 2013
Time: 6:30 pm
Location:
PDC Auditorium
701 W. Beltline Rd.
Richardson, TX
Speaker: Dr. Greta Davis, LPC-S, NCC
About the speaker:
Dr. Greta Davis is a career counselor and consultant with 12 years of experience in career counseling and development providing services to individual clients, academic institutions, and the federal government. She is a frequent speaker at professional counseling conferences and workshops at local, state, and national meetings and delivers presentations on all facets of career development. Dr. Davis is the 2009 recipient of the Texas Career Development Association (TCDA) Outstanding Career Practitioner Award. >Top |
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Eagle-Mustang 5K and Food Truck Festival benefits Excellence in Education Funds |
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 Registration is now open for the first annual Eagle-Mustang 5K and Food Truck Festival benefitting Richardson High School's Eagle Fund and the Pearce Excellence in Education Fund (PEEF). The two schools have joined forces this year to present this community-wide event on Saturday, March 2 at Eagle-Mustang Stadium. Runners and families are invited to enjoy the great outdoors and a lively morning of entertainment and fabulous food and beverages for sale from some of the city's top gourmet mobile kitchens: Hypnotic Donuts, Rockstar Bakery, Taco Party, Ruthie's Rolling Café, Little Greek and The Mobile Stand.
Our certified 5K course winds through tree-lined streets near Richardson High School, and finishes inside the stadium for awards and live music. In addition to nine age categories, we also have a barefoot runner division. The food trucks are open from 8:30 until 11:30. The race starts at 9:00 a.m.
Registration fees are $15 for students and $25 for adults. After February 23rd, late registration fee is $30 for adults. Entry into the food truck area is free with your race bib, or $2.00 for non-runners. You can register online at www.runontexas.com, by mail, or at Run On! Richardson between February 26 – 28. Last-minute registration will be held from 7:30 until 9:00 the day of the race. We encourage you to register early to guarantee a race t-shirt in your size!
This event would not be possible without the tremendous support of our community. Gold Sponsors include Award Solutions, Blanks, Debbie & Ron Greene, Libby & Kris Oliver, Stream Data Centers and Texas Mosquito Control. Silver Sponsors include Kim Caston, RISD Board of Trustees; Karen Holburn, RISD Board of Trustees; Renee Rubin, Virginia Cook Realtor; Carla & Rob Cline; Farmers Insurance Gonzales Insurance Agency; Mickey Stengel Build Design Renovate; RHS Class of 1992 and Yellow Rose Landscaping. If you would like to display a poster or yard sign, e-mail us at PonyUpForPearce@gmail.com.
So which high school will earn the bragging rights for must runners? Make sure you indicate Richardson, Pearce or both when you register. See you on Saturday, March 2, rain or shine! >Top
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SCHOOL TIMES NOW! ARCHIVE |
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Did you miss an issue of School Times Now!? Click here to view the archives. >Top |
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