2009 FBISD Tax Hearing (On YouTube)

CLICK HERE FOR THE 2009 FBISD CONTROVERSIAL TAX HEARING (YES THEY ARE RAISING THEM AGAIN--see petition of over 500 district taxpayers asking for board accountability) --In case anyone missed it they raised the property tax rate again (4th time) in 2010 and more than likely will do so again in 2011 facing another projected 15-20 million dollar budget deficit, according to some media reports. ***NEW*** ..Petition TO STOP THE GSTC (Global Science Museum being planned at the district central office--near $30 million dollar project that superintendent Jenney is pushing): http://www.ipetitions.com/petition/stopthegcst/ (see update below on this apparently ending this project after 2 years)

Friday, August 1, 2008

FBN: FBISD Rated Academically Acceptable, below KISD

Katy and Needville school districts jumped to "Recognized" status in the state's just-released academic ratings data for 2008, while Fort Bend County's other district maintained the same ratings as last year.

According to academic rating data released Friday afternoon by the Texas Education Agency, Fort Bend ISD, Lamar Consolidated ISD and Stafford Municipal School District all were rated as "Academically Acceptable," one notch below Katy and Needville. . .

-Get the full story at: http://fortbendnow.com/pages/full_story?page_label=home&article-Katy--Needville-ISDs-Boost-Their-Academic-Ratings--Kendleton-ISD-Gets-Warning%20=&id=169878-Katy--Needville-ISDs-Boost-Their-Academic-Ratings--Kendleton-ISD-Gets-Warning&widget=push&instance=home_news_lead_story&open=&

Ratings found at:

http://www.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/account/2008/countylist.srch.html

Full Campus Ratings & Lists For FBISD:

DISTRICT NAME: FORT BEND ISD
DISTRICT NUMBER: 079907
ACCOUNTABILITY RATING: Academically Acceptable


CAMPUS LIST (in campus number order)

CAMPUS RATING COMMENTS

001 DULLES H S Academically Acceptable
002 WILLOWRIDGE H S Academically Acceptable
004 CLEMENTS H S Recognized
005 KEMPNER H S Academically Acceptable
006 LAWRENCE E ELKINS H S Academically Acceptable
007 STEPHEN F AUSTIN H S Recognized
008 HIGHTOWER H S Academically Acceptable
010 FORT BEND CO ALTER Not Rated: Other
011 GEORGE BUSH HIGH SCHOOL Academically Acceptable
012 THURGOOD MARSHALL HIGH SCHOOL Academically Acceptable
013 WILLIAM B TRAVIS HIGH SCHOOL Academically Acceptable
040 DAEP ALTERNATIVE EDUCATION CEN Not Rated: Other
041 DULLES MIDDLE Academically Acceptable
042 MISSOURI CITY MIDDLE Academically Acceptable
043 SUGAR LAND MIDDLE Academically Acceptable
044 QUAIL VALLEY MIDDLE Academically Acceptable
045 FIRST COLONY MIDDLE Academically Acceptable
046 CHRISTA MCAULIFFE MIDDLE Academically Acceptable
047 HODGES BEND MIDDLE Academically Acceptable
048 LAKE OLYMPIA MIDDLE Academically Acceptable
049 MACARIO GARCIA MIDDLE Academically Acceptable
050 SARTARTIA MIDDLE SCHOOL Exemplary
051 FORT SETTLEMENT MIDDLE SCHOOL Exemplary
052 BILLY BAINES MIDDLE SCHOOL Academically Acceptable
053 DAVID CROCKETT MIDDLE SCHOOL Academically Acceptable
101 E A JONES EL Academically Acceptable
102 LAKEVIEW EL Recognized
108 BLUE RIDGE EL Academically Acceptable
109 RIDGEMONT EL Academically Acceptable
110 MEADOWS EL Recognized
111 QUAIL VALLEY EL Academically Acceptable
112 DULLES EL Recognized
113 BRIARGATE EL Recognized
114 TOWNEWEST EL Recognized
115 LANTERN LANE EL Academically Acceptable
116 RIDGEGATE EL Academically Acceptable
117 COLONY BEND EL Recognized
118 MISSION BEND EL Recognized
119 SUGAR MILL EL Exemplary
120 SETTLERS WAY EL Recognized
121 PALMER EL Recognized
122 HUNTERS GLEN EL Academically Acceptable
123 HIGHLANDS EL Recognized
124 MISSION GLEN EL Exemplary
125 PECAN GROVE EL Exemplary
126 AUSTIN PARKWAY EL Recognized
127 BARRINGTON PLACE EL Recognized
128 COLONY MEADOWS EL Exemplary
129 MISSION WEST EL Recognized
130 WALKER STATION EL Exemplary
131 EDGAR GLOVER JR EL Academically Acceptable
132 LEXINGTON CREEK EL Recognized
133 ARIZONA FLEMING EL Recognized
134 BURTON EL Academically Acceptable
135 COMMONWEALTH EL Exemplary
136 BRAZOS BEND EL Exemplary
137 SIENNA CROSSING EL Recognized
138 OYSTER CREEK ELEMENTARY Recognized
139 LULA BELLE GOODMAN ELEMENTARY Recognized
140 RITA DRABEK ELEMENTARY Exemplary
141 BARBARA JORDAN ELEMENTARY Recognized
142 SCANLAN OAKS ELEMENTARY Recognized
143 MARY AUSTIN HOLLEY ELEM Academically Acceptable
145 OAKLAND ELEMENTARY Academically Acceptable
146 ROSA PARKS ELEMENTARY Recognized
147 CORNERSTORE ELEMENTARY Recognized

10 comments:

Anonymous said...

Recent local blog comments on these ratings:


« ragingbull wrote on Monday, Aug 04 at 09:38 AM »
It is always good to see incremental improvements, but 19/23 middle school and high school campuses being ranked academically acceptable is not something to get to excited about, especially when you look at the minimal requirements. Much work needs to be done and I noticed none of the recognized or exemplary campuses are in east FBISD.

"To be “Academically Acceptable,” a school must have at least 70 percent of all students and subgroups passing the reading standards, at least 65 percent passing writing and social studies, at least 50 percent passing math, at last 45 percent passing science, along with a dropout rate of two percent or less for middle schools and a completion rate of 75 percent or better for high schools. "

Congratulations though to the schools showing measured improvement, but continue to work at filling in those other gaps. I do agree with FS when she looks at improvement for all students. Perhaps classroom sizes and increasing the number of certified instructors teaching in their areas would help with improvement. Anthony may have been correct talking about incentives to hire and retain the most qualified, but that will take a central office commitment. The practice of hiring too many inexperienced professionals to keep the personnel budget aligned will need to be re-examined and resource battles like those that took place at MHS in '07-'08 between faculty and administrators need to be resolved too and we shouldn't forget the discipline issues that were so prevalent.

http://www.fortbendnow.com/pages/full_story?article-Bush-High-School-Associate-Principal-Released-On-Bond =&page_label=full_story&id=80845&widget=push&open=&

http://www.fortbendnow.com/pages/full_story?page_label=home&id=84124-FBISD-Employee-Union--Teachers-Question-Arrest-Of-Bush-Associate-Principal-&widget=push&instance=home_news_lead_story&article-FBISD-Employee-Union--Teachers-Question-Arrest-Of-Bush-Associate-Principal- =&open=&

« FactuallySpeaking wrote on Monday, Aug 04 at 09:37 AM »
Moreover, they should take a further look at the possibility of suppressed scores of higher achieving students who scores indicate that they are “not” continuing to spiral upward in progress in trying to figure out the pieces of the puzzle for continuing improvements, in my humble opinion.

Anonymous said...

more:


« heads-up wrote on Monday, Aug 04 at 11:37 AM »
Ft. Bend Eastside Goodman Elem. Bi-lingual School has been a recognize school since doors open from previous years.

In a community without public running water resources.
« ragingbull wrote on Monday, Aug 04 at 10:30 AM »
Oh, and here is the other web-news address to the MHS riot that was reported 5 months ago at the Missouri City campus, which made Houston news.

Just in case:

http://www.fortbendnow.com/pages/full_story?article-Police-Tapes-Show-Dispatchers-Sent-Officers-To-Quell--Huge-Fight--At-Marshall =&page_label=results_content&id=20853-Police-Tapes-Show-Dispatchers-Sent-Officers-To-Quell--Huge-Fight--At-Marshall&widget=push&open=&

« ragingbull wrote on Monday, Aug 04 at 10:26 AM »
GR-

Two in Sienna are recognized, but those areas are well represented politically on the board. One of those schools actually dropped from exemplary two years ago. Many don't think of the new/big MPs as the traditional areas or older more challenged areas of east FBISD. I think the suggestion for single-member districts made during the last round of BOT elections is another area of concern that may help get more resources to east end schools and better more equitable representation for all neighborhoods. Why should one MP/subdivision have 2 elected board members?
« getreal55 wrote on Monday, Aug 04 at 10:19 AM »
Are all the "Exemplary" schools listed located in Sugar Land, or am I missing some on the list that may reside in Missouri City?

Anonymous said...

« FactuallySpeaking wrote on Monday, Aug 04 at 09:06 PM »
"The practice of hiring too many inexperienced professionals to keep the personnel budget aligned will need to be re-examined."--raginggbull

This is a pattern happening all over, the inexperienced is hired to save money. But, then the administrative pay continues to rise, so go figure.

By the way there was one East-side school that had a Recognized rating--Briargate.

At one time Glover and Hunter's Glen were East-side campuses that earned Exemplary ratings and performed well consistently as did Quail Valley and Lantern’s Lane; Blue Ridge was Recognized last year, I do believe. The children from the Arcola area who attend Burton and/or Goodman use to attend Blue Ridge and before Hunter’s Glen was built children from strong families in that general area attended Blue Ridge as well and for many years Blue Ridge had a strong academic showing; a lot of the FBISD educators got their start at Blue Ridge. Blue Ride is one of the older elementaries as is Lakeview before all the growth began in FBISD. In fact one of the last of the old, great educators is retiring from Blue Ridge this year, Mary Chaumier. I regret not being able to attend her retirement function due to a conflict in my schedule.

« FactuallySpeaking wrote on Monday, Aug 04 at 01:43 PM »
"Ft. Bend Eastside Goodman Elem. Bi-lingual School has been a recognize school since doors open from previous years.

In a community without public running water resources."--heads-up

You have grasped what I am stating and you make my point, exactly, heads-up. Thank you.

« LHS_Graduate wrote on Monday, Aug 04 at 12:29 PM »
I am reminded of my FBISD community newsletter; although the year may be outdated to that of 2004, the words still ring optimistically true:

"We can all recall at least one person that made a difference in our lives as we grew to adulthood. That one person may have been a teacher, bus driver, principal, cafeteria worker, secretary, nurse, counselor, or aide who made us feel special by sharing a smile or caring words." - Betty Baitland, ED.D. Superintendent

"Congratulations to our students, teachers, and our entire school community." - Dr. Timothy Jenney

« ragingbull wrote on Monday, Aug 04 at 11:50 AM »
HU-

You are correct and so is GR on the 2 other elems making the recognized list, but the 9:39a response was in reference to recognized and exemplary middle schools and high schools, with none in these two categories on east-end campuses. Focus needs to be placed on this issue. District-wide 19 out of 23 in these categories being acceptable can be problematic too. Maybe they should look more closely at what KISD is doing right (i.e. rewarding faculty with raises, etc.).

Anonymous said...

« JohnBernardBooks wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 08:55 AM »
LGrad this is how I think it works...

Professional(anyone/thing breathing that can secure a teaching certificate or a waiver....

Para Professional usually is made up of relatives/friends etc who can't find work anywhere else....

Manual trades see above.....

using that criteria there will be a cross mix of excellent/good/fair and the ever prevalent stupid.....you very seldom hear much about the excellent due to political correctness, and if a conservative speaks out they are immediately criticized and ridiculed....welcome to edu 2008.

where someone starting out can get paid $43k for 9 mos/180 days of work. Thank you teachers union, no wonder they're mostly socialists.
« LHS_Graduate wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 08:50 AM »
WRT: Blue Ridge

I am aware of the fundamentals of architecture in that Blue Ridge was built in the year of 1969, therefore a fairly recent bond addressed it's roof replacement. Not sure how that exactly relates, but I did wish to get ya'll up to speed on tidbits that I have been following up on.
« LHS_Graduate wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 08:33 AM »
Okay, my information may not be quite as up to the minute on FBISD, as my expertise is in LCISD so I am willing to be appropriately corrected if the need arises.

Pay grades tend to be divided into 3 families, so to speak -

*professional (requiring college degrees)

*para professional (aides, secretaries, clerks)

*manual trades (paid by the hour: bus drivers, custodians)

Hopefully, FactuallySpeaking may help me understand how every piece of the puzzle fits in.
« LHS_Graduate wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 08:22 AM »
John: Aw, my cheeks are blushing, it's nice to be missed!

Relative to salary, apparently we are speaking of three separate payscales. More info to follow...
« JohnBernardBooks wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 06:55 AM »
LGrad thanks for your refreshing comments....it gives us a break from th

Anonymous said...

« ragingbull wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 09:27 AM »
"This is a pattern happening all over, the inexperienced is hired to save money. But, then the administrative pay continues to rise, so go figure."

FS- It mimics somewhat the inflated executive packages we see for some who run large corps into the dirt and then get bought out for millions (sometimes more). Often no logic to it, just greed.

Notice our "village idiot" provides us with another keeper (teachers are socialist). I wonder if he's tapping that out on a command center computer in MC with his buddy? What an efficient use of taxpayer money, if so.

LHS- Have been to Blue Ridge Elem. several times for the meetings on the landfill expansion that Owen/Hebert/GFBCEDC and company endorsed for tipping fees. The school is certainly dated and has obvious aesthetic problems and is indicative of the east-end neglect in FBISD. The best comparison would be to take a peak at any of the First Colony elems. The real concern though should be placed on the scores and ratings of the middle schools and high schools on the east-side (no recognized or exemps).

The discipline issues and administrative response is another concern as posted in earlier articles from the '07-'08 year. I do think looking at KISD and other districts successes may prove helpful, but if the central office isn't going to back the people on the front-lines, as occurred with the "riot" at MHS in Missouri City, or if the communications office is going to down-play these incidents in the future, then I can't see how problem avoidance will accomplish those goals of school improvement.

Quote from a recent FB Star publishers column:

"...Have you noticed......The clamp down in news coming from Fort Bend ISD. Before this new superintendent, (I believe his name is Jenny, although I have never spoken over three words to him--”Hello, how are you?” Nor he to me.) the school district was pretty open with its news. If there were problems, they told you and they told you they were working on them.

Now, there are no problems. Problems? What problems? Oh, you mean that concussion one of our police officers has? Oh, you mean the ambulances hauling students out? Oh, you mean the county-wide “officer assist” call that went out at Marshall high school with news copters hovering overhead? Oh, the three policemen attacked three days in a row? Oh, the computers stolen and the grades hacked were not connected?

Here’s the way it is. FBISD’s paid liar is Mary Ann Simpson. She’s the head of community relations and any news the district issues. She works for the superintendent. If the superintendent tells her to lock down, she locks down."

"...Since the school police force, and the school news team depend on Dr. Jenny for their jobs, you can see how we can be manipulated." FB Star Publishers Column

Oh, there are so many problems in running a large school district. Maybe we don’t need to watch them make sausage."

-Yes, a bit harsh, but I would agree that many were frustrated during the '07-'08 school year when it came to public information where our kids safety is involved. What's more problematic is that we pay for this "information". First, we have to ID the problems and then accept them and finally address them. Denying them does nothing. This should not take away from the fact that many who work at the schools have done a good job getting the scores up on some of the campuses and hopefully this will continue, but with active community involvement.
« JohnBernardBooks wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 09:12 AM »
omg a spellin arrow?....
« LHS_Graduate wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 09:05 AM »
Deciphered to mean?...

John was sent to the Principal on several gloom n doomy ocassions? Yes, that's the best I got (for now) this Edaordo storm thingy is really wreaking havoc on my sweetheart.

Oh, by the way, whom is your spelling teacher?

Anonymous said...

« SoulPatrol wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 10:02 AM »
R, ask any executive or wanna-B's if they favor raising the minimum wage so that those at the bottom of the payscale, who work for the executives, can afford $3.75 gasoline to get to their jobs.

Then stand back for the rant....

When did executives and upper-management clones become elitists?
« JohnBernardBooks wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 09:35 AM »
here's the test Stan ax any teacher if they favor vouchers...and stand back for the rant....

when did union members become capitalists?
« SoulPatrol wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 09:33 AM »
Sorry to come between this luv-fest, sweetheart, but jbb, perhaps you'll be kind enough to tell us why you believe most teachers are socialists? Those whom I know, family, friends and customers practically all vote GOP from the top of the ticket to the bottom. Yet, they're socialists?

Sorry for the diversion. You two can get back to your love-fest... but be careful... she did a lot of research.... something pretty common for educators..... could the object of your affection be a "socialist"? ha ha!
« JohnBernardBooks wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 09:30 AM »
"as occurred with the "riot" at MHS in Missouri City"....hahaha what "aNut".....

Anonymous said...

« ragingbull wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 11:40 AM »
SP-

JBB (et. al.) won't respond to criticisms from classic constitutional conservatives because neocons try very hard to sound like them while diverting our tax dollars to the wealthiest 1% and their major corporate monopolies (no Sherman Anti-Trust Act in that world). I don't always agree with Dr. Paul either, but I think he has the neocons pegged well in that piece (http://www.freeliberal.com/archives/003449.html) along with many others like Barr, Keynes, etc. I will continue to support candidates from any party that reject the neocon propaganda (and their monies) and will encourage others to also. JBB (et. al.) is a classic troll offering nothing of substance in his responses. He is only trying to get a rise out of anyone.

His background:

Some think Jim (jbb et. al.) is a democrat plant to make republicans and other conservatives look bad, while I just think of him as a neocon corporatist repub who attacks all outside of the cronyboy network. We saw this when he went after not only local democrats, but conservatives, independents and yes quite a few republicans not in the political machine that runs this county to divert your taxes and bond debt to their crony projects. As a matter of fact Jim here was appointed to serve on one of those special interest taxing zones by just one of those insider pol. machine elected officials. He doesn't like it when we talk about it or ask too many questions like why did he attack Dr. Paul, Teague, Stansell, Campbell, McDougal, Tunstall, Dostal, Hilton, and other local conservatives not in this corporate welfare clique?????

His local neocon mentors campaign disclosures (see the incumbent reports)

« JohnBernardBooks wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 11:34 AM »
nothing a good long shower can't cure....
« SoulPatrol wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 11:10 AM »
What, you're E. Hemmingway? I thought you were long-since decayed. I did enjoy your book, "For Whom The Bells Troll."

Autobiographical, I presume. You fought against Franco and the facists.... didn't you get a little tainted by the "Left"?
« JohnBernardBooks wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 10:56 AM »
Stan I never larned ebonics...I learned "troll speak"....I excites the trolls.....
« JohnBernardBooks wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 10:55 AM »
if its a "free market" anybody but the feds....now that has to hurt......hahaha
« SoulPatrol wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 10:48 AM »
jbb, you can't handle the truth!

SoulPatrol delivering the Jack Nicholson line from "A Few Good Men."
« SoulPatrol wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 10:43 AM »
...and who funds the scholorships and free transportation..? BTW, who was your ebonics instructor? Hopefully not someone from a voucher school.... god help us...!
« JohnBernardBooks wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 10:42 AM »
ahh conservation...just like "ethanol"....libs always mean well....they just never get it right

so why are libs against nuklar energy again?
« JohnBernardBooks wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 10:40 AM »
Stan you keep drinkin the kool-aid...I'll keep on seeking the truth....
« SoulPatrol wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 10:40 AM »
Concentration has never been a weakness of mine. If anything, I have to be careful so not to become over-focused. But why do you have trouble in differentiating reality from fantasy?

Drilling for more oil domestically tries to be the panacea that good ole boyz believe will keep them in top hats and long cigars. But where or where is conservation even whispered among these "we know better than you" elitists?
« JohnBernardBooks wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 10:34 AM »
Stan schools will do as they do now...they will "accomodate" minorities by giving scholarships and ""free transportation"....ax Michelle Obama about her "free ride" to Harvard.
« MEGABITE wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 10:33 AM »
And are too busy running the streets at night getting into trouble.
« MEGABITE wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 10:33 AM »
Plus alot of them are too lazy to do their schoolwork.
« SoulPatrol wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 10:30 AM »
I'm neutral on Ron Paul; I'm with him on getting our troops out of Iraq, but I don't understand how, with minimal public involvement, the poor, the below-poverty level folks, and their kids especially, are going to improve their dismal educational achievements. Regardless of race, creed or ethnicity, those kids from below-the-poverty line have the least success in achieving academics, which is critical to elevating them into mainstream jobs with a future.
« JohnBernardBooks wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 10:29 AM »
Stan I'm not sure why you have trouble concentrating...yes Prez Bush screwed-up he let Kennedy write the edu bill.....why?!?!?!?!

as previously stated repubs passed the drilling in Anwar bill and your hero vetoed it....why?!?!?!

the price of gas has only risen since dems have been in charge of congress....from $1.90 to $4/gal under Peloshi...why?!?!...oh here's the answer Peloshi said EUROPE pays $8 and $9/gal for gas with $5/gal tax.....OMG!!!! its all about raising taxes...

« SoulPatrol wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 10:23 AM »
jbb about 8 years ago, your hero, GWB, said "I'm a uniter, not a divider." Yeah, right....!

Here's the title of the shortest book ever written:

"American's Must Sacrifice, How I Will Use the Bully-Pulpit to Encourage Conservation."

by: GWB

Here's the title of the 2nd shortest book ever written: Iraq's Connection to 9/11."

by: GWB

Here's the title of the 3rd shortest book ever written: "Transparency In Invoking a National Energy Policy."

by: Dick Cheyney and the Big Oil Moguls who huddled in private meetings to conspire against the public to ensure mega-billions to Big Oil.
« ragingbull wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 10:19 AM »
"Sorry to come between this luv-fest, sweetheart, but jbb, perhaps you'll be kind enough to tell us why you believe most teachers are socialists? Those whom I know, family, friends and customers practically all vote GOP from the top of the ticket to the bottom. Yet, they're socialists? "

SP- Anyone who is not a fascist neocon like Jim P. (jbb/wadefishin/ JohnBernardBooks/et. al.) is, in his words, a dirty commy or democrat. I wonder why ignored the comments/questions yesterday regarding CD-14 congressman Pauls comments about the neocons?

A little jogger:

The Dangers of Neo-Conservative Economic Policies

by Ron Paul

The dangers inherent in the foreign policy advocated by the neo-conservatives are well known. While many Americans have become increasingly aware of those dangers, far less attention has been focused on the dangers of neo-conservative economic policies. This issue is of critical importance right now, because many are mistakenly pointing their fingers at the free market as the culprit behind our current economic plight.

There are only a few in elected office who have any real loyalty to free markets and limited government. The agenda of neo-conservatives in the economy calls for a very active central government. Indeed, while there are some neo-conservatives who continue to use the rhetoric of limited government, and who oppose increases in the federal income tax as a way to maintain the political benefits that apply to those who talk about free markets, it is now the neo-conservatives who promote fiat monetary policies even more than those on the liberal left.

While I have been a strong proponent of cutting taxes on all Americans, and therefore supported the tax reductions offered by President Bush, the neo-cons argue that tax rate reduction alone is the key to “getting the government out of the way” of economic growth. Moreover, they invariably argue for tax reductions targeted toward the wealthy, and toward multinational corporations. . . (http://www.freeliberal.com/archives/003449.html)

Comments AH (jbb/wadefishin, et. al.)?

What free market "jbb", do you mean the current elite monopolies that you defend? Who do you think you are fooling? Stop pretending to be a free market conservative while you sit on taxing boards set-up in a closed system to benefit only one group of crony politicians. Nothing "free market" "VI" in your set-up.

PS Still hiding in the command center with your head you know where?
« SoulPatrol wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 10:14 AM »
Where are the kids of poor and below poverty levels going to get the money to drive to a voucher school in Sugar Land when they live off Lyons Ave, or Laura Koppe, or Clinton Dr, or Collings worth, or Jensen Dr......

Gasoline still costs $3.75 per gallon. Unless you're talking about reinstituting busing.
« JohnBernardBooks wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 10:12 AM »
Stan back to the woodshed....12 years ago the repubs passed a bill to drill in Anwar....your hero Clinton vetoed it.....we'd be running our cars on $2/gal gas.....oh wait we were until Pelosi and co. took over congress in '06....how about those 9% dem congress ratings?
« JohnBernardBooks wrote on Tuesday, Aug 05 at 10:09 AM »
maybe this will help...if vouchers are the "free market" and parents could then choose schools if not districts....then maybe just maybe our focus could shift back to the end product "a quality edu" The "best" teachers would be paid the most for retention....the worst teachers would be unemployed or looking...and extra-pay for "bi-lingual" and "football coaches" would be a thing of the past.

While we're at it do we need "tenured" professors? Currently "tenured profs" only teach 21% of classes, while "contact" teachers aids teach 79% of college courses?!?!?!?!...no wonder taxpayers see teacher's unions as "part of the problem.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

« ragingbull wrote on Thursday, Aug 07 at 08:08 AM »
" If this teacher could be cloned, I guarantee, some of the schools which are only acceptable would become Recognized or Exemplary. Research bears out that race, socioeconomic level, class size, and classroom diversity are not factors to predict the growth of students’ academics. This particular teacher each year has less academically astute children in her class than the “so called” Gifted and Talent class, yet her children outscore the G/T class each year. "

The accelerated schools research by Levin et. al. was very instrumental in identifying campuses that succeeded beyond the environment or challenges that prevailed. Lamb and others took systems at the bottom here in TX and made substantial improvements. Looking at these characteristics is essential to change throughout the districts.

"Moreover, on the other hand, I have also witnessed, children who were naturally, academically smart and brilliant "not" grow and progress aligned to their natural/true abilities and thus not be served well by their educational experience and thereby lose ground for the academic year(s) because they ended up with a teacher who did not have the appropriate experience and repertoire of strategies or the instance whereby some teachers who clamor for the “best” students do not understand that even the “best” students “still” have to be taught, and to have bright children in your class is not a year to lay back and expect the children to teach themselves."

This observation is a truism. Districts, especially FBISD, which is currently looking at further reductions/alterations in the academy model and other GT areas may be making a huge mistake in catering to the middle. Often the pockets of success are not well publicized and they remain isolates. Good classroom teaching is the key and we should support the resources and environment necessary to meet those ends. Taking each student from where they are is paramount, as you mentioned.

PS Did you notice the "nat" was complaining yesterday about stalking and today he's clamoring for attention....too bad. Too bad spec. needs programs weren't in place when he was in school.
« JohnBernardBooks wrote on Thursday, Aug 07 at 06:04 AM »
thank you...no thank you....no....thank you....no thank you.....hahaha
« FactuallySpeaking wrote on Wednesday, Aug 06 at 10:22 PM »
ragingbull,

Thanks for your honestly in sharing what I know exist in a lot more instances than is comfortable and complimentary for us to think about.

However, what I know, too, is the authentic possibility of what can occur through my own experiences and/or what I witnessed to be true and authentic. I realize that it is difficult to transfer what I have witnessed so that all can "actually" know the depth of the authentic actuality to grasp what is possible. I have witnessed some amazing teaching and teachers who deliver upon the promise to educate all children. I have witnessed teachers who dig deep and reach inside each student and bring out the student’s true ability which lies dormant just below the surface, and thus, brings forth the student’s inner, true natural ability to a level of success in a manner in which to produce miraculous results. For instance, I have seen students who never read, or understood reading critically for depth, or how to perform some basic mathematical computation and/or never passed any type state or national test in their entire school career until certain teachers taught them.

I have seen children who were labeled with some type label which falls under 504/learning difference or Special Education but, yet, the teacher was able to excavate the wherewithal from the student so as to perform successfully on an everyday academic basis as well as to transfer their daily academic success to state/national testing. I’m thinking of one teacher in particular who if you ever observed her, you would become transfixed and awed by the power of her instructional delivery and it becomes crystal clear why all the kids achieve well in her class whether they are low, average, or high achievers; whether they are Black, White, Brown, or in between; and there are none who are rich because the poverty level is 100%. If this teacher could be cloned, I guarantee, some of the schools which are only acceptable would become Recognized or Exemplary. Research bears out that race, socioeconomic level, class size, and classroom diversity are not factors to predict the growth of students’ academics. This particular teacher each year has less academically astute children in her class than the “so called” Gifted and Talent class, yet her children outscore the G/T class each year.

At one point, this teacher use to have more of the G/T children, but her success record is such, that she is being given less academically astute children; so this is good news for the children who land in her class as well as their parents, but this is bad news for the higher achievers because they need to be taught equally as well. Now some parents who have had some of their older kids in this teacher’s class and therefore know of her teaching ability, carry on with administration to the point that they have to relent and appease the upset parent(s). This teacher had a bipolar student in her class this year and prior to this year he had rarely cooperated, obeyed, or performed for any one but he did this year. He passed all his tests with flying colors. I asked this teacher could she wait until my granddaughter reached the age of her grade level before retiring, and she said: “Honey, I’d like to but I cannot; I would be in a wheelchair by then.”

Moreover, on the other hand, I have also witnessed, children who were naturally, academically smart and brilliant "not" grow and progress aligned to their natural/true abilities and thus not be served well by their educational experience and thereby lose ground for the academic year(s) because they ended up with a teacher who did not have the appropriate experience and repertoire of strategies or the instance whereby some teachers who clamor for the “best” students do not understand that even the “best” students “still” have to be taught, and to have bright children in your class is not a year to lay back and expect the children to teach themselves.

In the final analysis, until some teachers, administrators, and school districts

“actually" come into knowing the depth of the authentic actuality to grasp what is possible for all children and not hold race and poverty against them and not over look the high achievers by thinking they can teach themselves; and are willing to capture the success of teachers who can make learning happen for all achievement levels and thereby let them model/mentor/collaborate instructional strategies via team endeavors what has proven to be successful for student progress-growth and achievement and thus cultivate teaching talent, and, yes, pay for it, pay teachers (not find ways to increase administrators and pay them) until this happens, and the excuses and lack of commitment cease, success for all children will not occur.

« ragingbull wrote on Wednesday, Aug 06 at 08:04 PM »
Thank you FS for your well thought-out response. I very much agree that you can't possibly "bully" quality performance out of anyone and the exemplar you gave on how not to manage is the best case I've seen locally. The duality of east and west reminds me of a town I did some research in a few years back that had a very similar metaphorical "wall". The hypocrisy in it was that the better system (financed, scores, etc.) was where the university professorate sent their kids. Many of these same academics were highly critical of the school systems duality (basically de facto segregation as well as economically depressed), but they did little more than discuss it at symposiums and cocktail parties on the nicer side of the community. I have to plead guilty too since I lived for a time in that place, studied it and basically did nothing to change it beyond some volunteering. The simple solution in that community would have been a merger of those two districts and the metaphorical destruction of that "wall", but not much has changed. The disparity in that town(s) was reinforced by political divisions, race, economics, etc... sometimes it is hard to believe we actually are in the year 2008. What's even worse is that some don't even recognize the problem exists.

In fairness to FBISD though, they at least are not two separate districts, but it would be nice to see all neighborhoods represented via single-member district representation so that no single new MP could dominate the board/district. I also agree that the BOT needs to take a greater interest in how the schools are managed and not just take upper admins. word on everything, dig a little. Rarely do we have the type of leaders we would ourselves want, but often that leader is us. I've had a few, but they are rare. Many texts have been written about the lack of high performing leaders and I'm sure many more will be.

Thanks for posting your honest thoughts.
« FactuallySpeaking wrote on Wednesday, Aug 06 at 07:00 PM »
The anonymmous post below was posted by: FactuallySpeaking

I'm not sure why it posted anonymous.
« anonymous wrote on Wednesday, Aug 06 at 06:55 PM »
"Have been to Blue Ridge Elem. several times for the meetings on the landfill expansion that Owen/Hebert/GFBCEDC and company endorsed for tipping fees. The school is certainly dated and has obvious aesthetic problems and is indicative of the east-end neglect in FBISD. The best comparison would be to take a peak at any of the First Colony elems. The real concern though should be placed on the scores and ratings of the middle schools and high schools on the east-side (no recognized or exemps)." rb

Ragingbull, thanks for your on target and valid insight. I'm certain heads-up could offer valid input about Blue Ridge as well. Heads-up can attest to how Blue Ridge exhibited strong academic performance in past years. I agree with you ragingbull. You hit the nail on the head when you voice concern and dismay about the fact that there were no Recognized or Exemplary middle schools or high schools on FBISD’s east-side. To complicate matters more, many of the schools’ administrators, particularly high school administrators make approximately $100,000 plus. I suppose they are paid the big bucks to make logical, rational educational decisions in administering over the school and, specifically, teachers. So if the teachers are the front line educators who have direct contact with students on a daily basis, would you not agree that they need positive support and ample resources? But, alas, if my memory serves correctly, one secondary school in particular comes to mind that ran counter to teacher support. MHS’ teachers could not focus completely upon instructional delivery to students due to being harassed, bullied, and nit-picked excessively and were punished for purchasing a copier machine because they did not have adequate access to a copier and they purchased paper because they did not have paper either.

Additionally, a teacher who has exhibited a track record for producing great results (in the 90% plus range) with students, was rewarded by having his contract non-renewed as recommended by and/or backed/supported by the administrator who makes approximately $100,000 plus. Perhaps, I am missing the logic of this. Please help me God to comprehend. Why on earth would someone get paid this kind of money to wreck havoc upon teachers who are the front line educators? Every common sense thinker knows the success of students begins and ends with the teacher. Can someone explain this to me????? Consequently, when teachers have to endure as described, is it any wonder that the scores are as they are? In fact, actually, under the described circumstances, it is a feat extraordinaire that the scores rated, even, Acceptable. A Recognized or Exemplary rating under likewise circumstances which transpired at MHS would be a miraculous occurrence. So unless, positive changes toward teachers are adopted, in my humble opinion, to dare hope for higher scores/ratings is risky, at best. I hope to be proven wrong.

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