See FBN: 7 East FBISD Schools Score Low Enough TAKs Scores For Student Transfers
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posted by responsible_dvlpmnt at Thursday, December 13, 2007
Thursday, December 13, 2007
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POLLHOST POLL RESULTS:
Question: Do you
trust Allen Owen, mayor of Missouri City, TX, to represent you rather than his
Houston corporate backers?
Results:
3%
participating said yes
(n20)
91%
participating said no
(n573)
6%
participating responded not sure
(n39)
(N) sample = 632
5 Comments:
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
FBN/FBW related comments:
anonymous said...
Why isn't this that surprising given the lack of concern the current BOT and administration demonstrate towards the east end schools?
December 13, 2007 1:27 PM
kidsfirst said...
I'm tired of seeing this neglect. When is someone going to do something for these families, schools?
December 13, 2007 3:30 PM
anonymous said...
FBN threaded comments:
Fort Bend ISD officials had no comment on this article.
1 Muckraker - Dec 13, 03:25 PM
“Fort Bend ISD schools included Burton, Jones, Hunters Glen and Ridgemont elementary schools; Missouri City Middle School; and Marshall and Willowridge high schools.”
All east end, under-represented and under-funded FBISD schools….what now? Why not give SMD a chance to improve these schools funding and support. Notice any patterns with regard to the safety survey, performance, etc…improved representation can’t hurt, that’s for sure!
2 Scott E Berrett - Dec 13, 04:22 PM
Where is the federal funding we need to improve these schools?
I guess it is being used to bomb and then rebuild, and bomb and then rebuild again Iraq.
3 Rodrigo Carreon - Dec 13, 05:15 PM
In before 2005 Burton Elem. was a recorgnized and Exemplary preforming school, just like Goodman Elem. for Fresno and Arcola areas. Thence FBISD BOT fired or relocated both both school principles in 2004 and school staffing teachers with new under-experience school staff, that leads to the previous majority FBISD BOT actions and Burtons failure in 2005, 2006-07. Goodman Elem. was without an Administrator for more the six month in 2003 and 2004.
4 theydrewfirstblood - Dec 13, 05:17 PM
Muck —-These campuses are no more underfunded than other public school campuses. I cannot address what the current administration is doing, but I know the district has, in the past, given EXTRA money to the above named campuses. They have the same resources. The same text books, better student/teacher ratio, etc. The problem, in my opinion, has always been poor parent participation and questionable campus leadership.
That being said, perhaps we need to STOP the one size fits all and look at individualized needs for every campus.
Things do not appear to be getting better under the current district leadership structure.
5 anonymous - Dec 13, 05:20 PM
How can you say they are under-funded? I challenge you to prove that! Where are you getting your information?
6 Sienna Educator - Dec 13, 05:59 PM
FYI- In particular to those that were proud of the recent news from Texas monthly- The way that the No Child Left Behind Law is Currently structured eventually all schools in the district will fail to meet standards.
I would like to invite each and every parent from the schools named in this article to transfer to Sienna Crossing Elementary, Commonwealth Elementary, Walker Station Elementary, Brazos Bend and all the other schools that were named on the Texas Monthly List.
7 Muckraker - Dec 13, 07:44 PM
“They have the same resources. The same text books, better student/teacher ratio, etc. “
TDFB,
I agree with your last two statements, but not the above quote. Please provide documentary support. For mine, I will just suggest you walk the campuses as I have done…you will see the difference. Yes teaching/learning is more than buildings and I do agree with smaller more familial schools where parent involvement needs a nudge. I would also support working to attract the more experienced teachers/administrators to those campuses and yes, seeking single – member districts as a means for improving parental/taxpayer/voter involvement. It is, after all, considered a much more direct voting process than the current at large system.
8 Cheryl Hill - Dec 13, 08:23 PM
theydrewfirstblood said the following to which I agree.
Citing one of the problems for poor test scores at underperforming schools—- “and questionable campus leadership.”
That my friend is the whole truth of the matter.
“That being said, perhaps we need to STOP the one size fits all and look at individualized needs for every campus.” Amen to stopping the one size fits all concept: starting with Reading Recovery!!
December 13, 2007 7:04 PM
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More:
8 Cheryl Hill - Dec 13, 08:23 PM
theydrewfirstblood said the following to which I agree.
Citing one of the problems for poor test scores at underperforming schools—- “and questionable campus leadership.”
That my friend is the whole truth of the matter.
“That being said, perhaps we need to STOP the one size fits all and look at individualized needs for every campus.” Amen to stopping the one size fits all concept: starting with Reading Recovery!!
9 j williamson - Dec 13, 08:31 PM
Isn’t Marshall one of the newer high schools? What is it missing in terms of facilities?
Aren’t some of the other schools considerably older? Do we need to build new ones in these areas? A new bond issue?
How do you propose attracting experienced teachers to these campuses? I’ve been told in other posts “it’s not about the money.”
And how will SMD increase parent involvement?
10 anon - Dec 13, 10:18 PM
What is amazing is that the school board has voted to fix it by adding 6th grade to these elementaries(except Burton). So adding another TAKS grade level, impossible scheduling conflicts, contraints with space and personnel, and inferior electives will be added to the hard task of bringing up current task scores. Unbelievable.
11 theydrewfirstblood - Dec 14, 12:58 AM
Muck – The difference I see when walking various campuses has nothing to do with resources. I don’t know what kind of documentation you want. As you have often said to others, request the documentation through an open records request. I repeat, the east side campuses have the same textbooks as other schools. They have the required number of computers, science labs, same curriculum. If a campus has computers that don’t work, blame the campus leadership. It is their job to report the problems. If the bathroom plumbing doesn’t work, that’s what the maintenance department is for. If they need/want “extras” so that special/enriched lessons can be taught, the teachers can, for example, apply to the Education Foundation. The Education Foundation which people here enjoy bashing, offers a couple of different types of grants. Ask for the list – east side campuses can/do receive as many grants as the west side – of course, that would require that the teachers apply for the grants. Their hands may be so full just trying to teach, they may not have the time or inclination to fill out the paperwork.
Which brings me to my next post.
12 theydrewfirstblood - Dec 14, 01:03 AM
If TEST SCORES are going to be used to determine whether or not a teacher is effective, will keep his/her job, or receive a bonus, you will NOT get many good teachers to move to low performing schools. In my opinion, it takes a very special type of teacher to CHOOSE to serve in a school with tremendous academic/discipline challenges. Teaching takes more than just a particular intellectual ability, it takes an emotional commitment. If the administration is going to tell a principal that he/she is being moved to a low performing school and has a one year contract which will be renewed IF scores go up, of course, they will jump ship. In an ideal world, this would not be the case, but if you want good teachers at low performing campuses, realistically you must be prepared to reimburse them to meet the challenge. (And yes, I agree that if they are making “bonuses” and fail to increase the knowledge and skills of their students, they need to be replaced with someone who can.) If you want a Principal to leave an “Exemplary” campus for a low performing school, you need to give him/her a three year contract, not a one year contract. Just my humble opinion. Sorry for the long responses.
13 Muckraker - Dec 14, 06:15 AM
“A new bond issue?”
Nice try jw, but most of the schools should have been replaced long ago. If you looked at the last two bond proposals you would see about 2/3rds of the money goes to new school construction and most of that earmarked for newer developments (with the developers charging full value and more on the land, unlike other states). I think if you follow this pattern you will see a clear spending template placing the tax load on the older neighborhoods to build the newer schools in the MP communities.
Many other examples exist, but the east end problem continues…if you continue to do what you’ve done, you will get what you got (see FBNs campus security report and this one for further evidence of neglect on our parts).
The special interests talk about quality schools, but support the status quo. Schools are symbols in our neighborhoods, perhaps the first thing people look at when shopping for a home. Can they take pride in one that’s in poor condition? Yes, many more issues too need to be addressed, but neighborhood schools are important (so how about a fairer distribution of the bonds for older subdivisions shouldering the tax burden?).
14 Muckraker - Dec 14, 06:19 AM
“If you want a Principal to leave an “Exemplary” campus for a low performing school, you need to give him/her a three year contract, not a one year contract. Just my humble opinion. Sorry for the long responses.”
I agree on this, but see my other post on how the bond monies are broken down to refute your earlier claim on disparity in financing.
You don’t even need to go FOIA it. This material was sent to our homes and can be easily googled.
15 TexasRose - Dec 14, 06:39 AM
Hey They Drew~
JMHO to fact: WE are listening! =-)
Yes, the “challenge” may be right before our eyes…. “Questionable campus leadership”
My kids are in LCISD, whom actually has a wonderful 6th grade concept that works! Our 1999 bond monies proved to be the successful pro-stance forward! As a parent who is extremely educationally/community involved—I am here to say it works! To that I am so very curious: why would FBISD choose to overlook their neighbors— LCISD
Did you know a child in 6th grade is slowly maturing? Speak about challenges, wow! Their hormones are just beginning to be confusing. Our 1999 bond monies addressed this fact to our advantage…their own separate campus! I assure you, it is not all about TAKS scores!
My wish is for FBISD to reconsider this challenge to mixing-it-all-up. I assure you, the teenager transitional years to 6th grade does not have to be a challenge. Indeed they deserve their own “space.”
16 Tk - Dec 14, 06:54 AM
Those schools are Title 1 schools…they get A LOT more money than non title schools do.
17 Muckraker - Dec 14, 07:47 AM
What does the federal title programs have to do with building and supporting older neighborhood schools? The bond distribution for ’03 and the one just voted in supports the earlier notion and claims. Title funds are restricted to specific uses. Why the red herring? Let’s not get bogged down in fact quagmire, debating traps, double binds and circular arguments once again…
December 14, 2007 5:56 AM
more:
17 Muckraker - Dec 14, 07:47 AM
What does the federal title programs have to do with building and supporting older neighborhood schools? The bond distribution for ’03 and the one just voted in supports the earlier notion and claims. Title funds are restricted to specific uses. Why the red herring? Let’s not get bogged down in fact quagmire, debating traps, double binds and circular arguments once again…
18 Rodrigo Carreon - Dec 14, 08:08 AM
During the past three years, upto half of FBISD schools have been recieving one or two new Administrators to replace the previous ones, happening during FBISD BOT meetings, naming the new principles and Assistant(Admin.). Only concern is for what reasons new administrators had been hired. Reasons for relocating Administrators leadership, fired, walking off the job, under preforming leadering, and more?
19 Jimmy Kilpatrick - Dec 14, 08:09 AM
I promise you one thing there is more healthy discussions going on here than at the administration building. This is an outcry and if Jenney was a real leader he would hold open forums conducted by independent organization so parents, teachers and the taxpayers could ask the hard questions needing to answered.
No amount of money will turn these schools around. If so cite an example. Gates is pouring millions in, the feds have spend billions over the last ten years and nothing is improving. My suggestion is to bring in KIPP folks in to take over. They are starting 40 schools in Houston ISD alone. The success they have shown has helped them raise over 100 million dollars so far.
Regarding LCISD: Love to see the data: My kids are in LCISD, whom actually has a wonderful 6th grade concept that works!
20 intheknow - Dec 14, 08:27 AM
Open campus enrollment — that is the ability for a parent to register a student at the campus of their choice. Rather than the tortured IDT process FBISD has contorted itself around.
Competition in the market place. Real Magnet programs at all grade levels.
Once you have a system that doesn’t concentrate all of the poorest performing students and all of the low income students (not necessarily the same) at a few schools it’s easier to get teachers to move for positive reasons (a special program, a unique opportunity, etc. ) Forced bussing doesn’t work — but voluntary movement for positive opportunities does.
It’s what FBISD should have had for years. Looks like it’s slowly going to be forced to finally do some of this.
21 TexasRose - Dec 14, 09:07 AM
I was only a cheerleader, what’s a Title 1? Is it sports related and tied into the student enrollment?
I wish to correct an oops..not that anyone’s counting, but 1999 was actually the year our Jr. was “Recognized”. Off the top of my head, our bond must have passed in 1997! Let’s face it - LCISD is on it’s toes! I’m just so happy the bond passed! It can be a challenge ya know?
22 Rick L - Dec 14, 09:27 AM
This problem begins at home. Throw all the money and people you want at these schools, but until parents, and then the community as a whole get together and convince these kids there is a value in education, the teachers and administrators are fighting a losing battle.
23 Muckraker - Dec 14, 10:06 AM
“My suggestion is to bring in KIPP folks in to take over. They are starting 40 schools in Houston ISD alone. “
Jim,
Whether or not you use KIPP data or the Eagle Rock, East Harlem examples, these support schools of scale (a completely different paradigm not necessarily more expensive models).
I also agree with your statement about open dialogue with reference to our current admin/BOT,
“This is an outcry and if Jenney was a real leader he would hold open forums conducted by independent organization so parents, teachers and the taxpayers could ask the hard questions needing to answered.”
This apparently doesn’t seem to be the case given recent rulings by them to reduce access to open forums.
ITK, and a few others offer value added suggestions to this dialogue too, but Jim is right. Nothing can be accomplished without an open discussion.
Thanks BD for having these forums open, because we ALL know they are monitored by many of the “insiders”...
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