Works
SCHOOL
SUMMER
2007
VOLUME 20
A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E H O U S T O N
HOUSTON HEARING ON NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND GATHERS INPUT FOR U.S. CONGRESS
CHALLENGE
VIDEO SPEAK OUT
M
ore than 250 local parents, students, educators, business leaders and community members documented their ideas for changing and improving the federal education law known as No Child Left Behind on March 27, during a statewide public hearing held at Reagan High School in the Houston Heights. The landmark law, passed in 2001, is up for reauthorization in September, so the U.S. Congress is currently gathering input from across the nation to help determine which parts to change and which to keep the same. Houston A+ Challenge sponsored the Houston hearing to generate ideas on four key topics: teacher quality, testing and accountability, community involvement and interventions for low performing schools. “There is still a lot of support for No Child Left Behind's main objective – to close the achievement gap by having high standards for all Community members discuss NCLB at Reagan High School. students,” said Michele Pola, Photo by Ben DeSoto executive director of Houston A+ Challenge. “But most parents, students and educators also have very strong opinions that there are parts of the law that need improvement. I think we sent some really valuable information to U.S. lawmakers.” . . . continued on page 7
Also inside: ★ ★ ★ ★
Learn - Vote - Act: Questions to Ask Your School Board (pg. 2) ExxonMobil Invests in Middle School Math Teachers & Students (pg. 3) High School Dropouts: Town Halls Spark Ideas for Change (pgs. 4-5) News & Events from Houston A+ Challenge (pg. 7)
How Can We Improve NCLB? Dozens of participants in the March 27 hearing on No Child Left Behind shared their ideas for change in the Houston A+ Challenge “Speak Out” video booth. Go online to watch excerpts from these videos: http://www.houstonaplus.org/events/nclb/video.html “I think that the law is a great law, because it’s concerned about our students. But I think they should use other avenues as well to rank or judge where our students are – based on their education, and not just through this TAKS test.” Daniel Garza, parent “For the district to succeed, schools need to open the doors completely, so that (schools) become a community of people, not just teachers and administrators.” Art Murillo, parent and former Aldine ISD school board member “Parents can model the importance of education by talking about issues at the dinner table, having dinner together.” Pat Rosenberg, president, Texas Association of Partners in Education To read more ideas from Houston participants, turn to Page 6.
Established in January 1997 with funding from the Annenberg Foundation and local matching contributions, The Houston A+ Challenge is an independent, public-private partnership that develops and funds school programs, professional development and leadership institutes to promote higher academic achievement by all students.
From the
H
Executive Director
ouston A+ Challenge is gui ded
by the belief that by direct ing resources toward qualit y teaching and learning, per sonalization, and collabora tion to improve public sch ools, all children will have the opp ortunity to receive a qualit y public education. Publi critical part of the process c engagement is a of reforming our schools. Breaking down barriers bet ween schools, parents, stu community members is the dents, businesses and first step toward bringing the power and energy of the se groups together to impro our students. ve schools for all In order to chip away at tho se barriers, Houston A+ rec ently hosted town hall me etings on No Child Left Beh dropouts, and hundreds of ind and on interested citizens came tog ether to learn about these issues and share ideas for many of those ideas in thi action. We share s issue of SchoolWorks; to hear more action steps fro m the participants themselv at the video interviews on es, please take a look our web site: www.housto naplus.org. Another way to stay engage d in the ongoing efforts to improve schools is to vote. School board elections are with the lowest voter turno often the races ut. Yet these elected officia ls most directly affect our local schools, by setting the for school districts. In the policy and vision se elections more than any other, your vote can truly make a difference. If we are to provide qualit y education to all of Houst on's children, we must eac h commit to doing our par the responsibility to learn t. We all must take about the issues in educat ion, to vote for the candid ates who make education action to make sure all of a priority, and to take our students receive a qualit y education.
Michele Pola
WHEN TO VOTE: Tw o local districts, Hous ton ISD and Aldine ISD, hold school board ele cti ons on November 8. Most other Houston-area sch ool board elections are he ld in May, on either th e first or second Saturday.
Questions to Ask School Boards and Candidates The School Board sets the policies and standards that govern a school district. Decisions made by School Boards have a direct impact on the quality of public schools. These policies and decisions affect everything from the school curriculum, hiring of teachers, and school bus transportation. Use these questions to start meaningful conversations with School Board members or candidates: ■ In what areas have our public schools been showing improvement? ■ What are your top priorities for continuing to improve our public schools? ■ How will you support the goal of high achievement for every student? ■ What do you believe schools should do to better prepare students with the skills and knowledge they need to succeed in higher education, work and life? ■ What is your long-term plan to get and keep good teachers in the classroom? ■ What do you think is the biggest challenge facing our public schools right now and what is your plan to address it? Reprinted with permission from the Public Education Network.
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crickets and ladybugs have to do W hatwithdoalgebra? Sixth graders at Long
Middle School in Houston Independent School District demonstrated just that, during a hands-on math lesson on May 8 showcasing the new Houston A+ Challenge/ExxonMobil Middle School Math Initiative. Using tangible items like plastic bugs is just one technique to help students understand the concrete relationship between abstract numbers. This and other mathematics teaching strategies have been central to the Houston A+ Challenge/ExxonMobil K-5 Math Initiative that began in 2000.
ExxonMobil Math Program Expands to Middle Schools
“It is imperative that our children have a solid foundation in mathematics in order to be successful in the workplace and in life,” said Gerald McElvy, president of the ExxonMobil Foundation. “ExxonMobil has a strong commitment to improving math education in this country, and we believe that investing in our teachers and their professional development is the first step toward Long Middle School sixth graders Alicia Dueñas and strengthening our José Hoyos use hands-on problem-solving to find the education system.” correct answer in multiple ways. The West Region through the program scored higher than the middle schools were district average on the 2006 TAKS math test. chosen because they “Based on the promising results we have receive most of the students who attended seen from the K-5 Math Initiative, we are excited about the middle school expansion elementary schools and eager to see the impact it will have on the that are active in the students as they continue the program,” said K-5 math initiative. Abelardo Saavedra, superintendent of the All schools in both initiatives serve a high Houston Independent School District. “Thanks to ExxonMobil and Houston A+ majority of lowExxonMobil Foundation President Gerald McElvy presents $840,000 check Challenge, HISD students will be prepared to income students. to Houston A+ Challenge Executive Director Michele Pola, Houston ISD succeed in a world that is increasingly “By offering new Superintendent Abelardo Saavedra, Houston A+ Board Chair Joe B. Foster, and dependent on science, math, engineering and and different teaching Houston ISD Board President Manuel Rodriguez. technology.” strategies, we are able According to a 2003 Trends in International “There are different ways to get to the same to increase student learning and teacher Math and Science Study, only 7 percent of U.S. knowledge in mathematics,” said Michele answer. It helps me think and show my 4th and 8th graders achieved an advanced Pola, executive director of Houston A+ work,” said Jessica Rodriguez, 11, a Long level in mathematics, compared to 38 percent Challenge. “This type of training can really student who previously attended Sutton of their international peers. help bridge the gap we see in math education Elementary, a K-5 Initiative school. between American students Next fall, more than 5,000 middle school students in Houston ISD will benefit from this and their international counterparts.” successful initiative, thanks to an $840,000 The K-5 Math Initiative contribution from the ExxonMobil Foundabegan with five specialists at tion. Houston A+ Challenge will partner with eight schools in 2000-01, and Houston ISD to train, place and support a has grown to 21 specialists in math specialist at each of the participating 19 schools in 2006-07. Since HISD West Region middle schools –– Long, 2003, participating schools Sharpstown, Revere and Fondren. have seen an average of a 22The full-time math specialists will help point gain on the math portion teachers and administrators enhance their of the Texas Assessment of understanding and instruction of math in the Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) classroom, and ultimately impact student test. Sixty-nine percent of the achievement in mathematics. In addition, elementary schools that specialists and teachers will lead Family Math Long Middle School teacher Linh Hoang helps sixth graders Jacqueline received additional Martinez and Rashad Tate solve an algebra problem, using toy bugs as Nights, to train parents on how to help their hands-on learning tools. professional development children at home.
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TOWN HALL FORUMS ON STUDENT DROPOUTS CALL “The reason we have a continuing, serious dropout problem is that there are not any simple answers. If it were simple, we would have fixed it by now.” –– Dr. Abelardo Saavedra, Superintendent, Houston Independent School District
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n February and March of 2007, Houston A+ Challenge convened a series of three town hall meetings aimed at spurring new ideas on how to lower the high school dropout rate among students in Houston. Nearly 350 parents, students, educators, civic leaders and community members came together at Aldine, Austin and Wheatley high schools to discuss how to increase the number of high school graduates who have the skills they need to succeed in college and the workforce. Houston A+ Challenge joined with Houston ISD, Aldine ISD and the City of Houston to host these meetings. Participants offered their thoughts and suggestions through focus groups, written surveys and videotaped interviews. A common theme emerged: There are no simple answers. But there are steps that each of us can take. Please consider which of these steps you might take, to help chip away at the big, complex, many-faceted social crisis that is the dropout problem.
QUESTIONS TO ASK STUDENTS Parent and adult interest and involvement in a student’s education is critical to success. Use these questions to start meaningful conversations with students. ■ If you could create a great public school, what would it be like? How is the school you just described like, or unlike, the school you attend now? ■ In your opinion, what is your school doing well? Where could things improve? ■ What are the biggest challenges you face in school? Are there things that teachers, sport coaches, guidance counselors or community members can do to help? ■ Do you feel safe at school? Why or why not? ■ What classes do you need to take to graduate from high school? Are you on track? ■ Are there additional classes or programs that you would like to see offered in school or in the community? ■ What are your plans for the future? Do you know what skills, training or additional education you’ll need in order to get there? ■ Do you feel confident that the skills you are learning are preparing you for work or education beyond high school? Reprinted with permission from the Public Education Network.
What’s Next Since these town hall meetings, Houston A+ Challenge and The Metropolitan Organization (TMO) have held follow-up meetings to continue engaging parents and cultivating relationships with schools. Other follow-up is planned to specifically address communications between school systems and parents. If you would like to be notified of these upcoming events, please send an e-mail to amorua@houstonaplus.org.
“What can your family members and the community do to help you succeed in school?” To frame the conversations during the town hall meetings, Houston A+ Challenge asked this question in focus groups and surveys of about 400 students at four high schools. Here’s what they said: ■ Please motivate us ■ Inspire us ■ Help us stay focused ■ Parents: Please ask us more questions ■ Business and community members: Donate money & scholarships
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Parents spoke passionately about the need to feel welcome at school, in order to stay active in their child’s education. Open communication is the key.
SCHOOLS, PARENTS AND COMMUNITIES TO ACTION Five key ideas from the 2007 Town Halls: ✮ Improve communication among all stakeholders Two-way school-parent communication is crucial to student success, and building and maintaining these relationships is a shared responsibility. To effectively reach parents, schools should use a variety of delivery methods for communication – e-mail, automated phone system, website, postal mail, social functions at school, town hall meetings – and send important messages multiple times. On their part, parents need to let schools know if they suddenly stop receiving communication. ✮ Increase parent involvement in the schools and in student performance Research shows that parental and family involvement and engagement is a critical element of student success. Parents need to have high expectations, and communicate them to their children. Schools need to make parents feel welcome and show them how to participate effectively in their children’s education, so that parents want to get involved and spend time at the school. ✮ Involve all of the community in student success Neighborhoods, businesses, community organizations, faith organizations all benefit from student success, all are hurt by student failure, and all have a role to play in schools. Financial and physical resources, awareness, mentoring, time and influence are all needed. Community organizations and schools can collaborate on skill development, tutorials, internships and mentoring. ✮ Support students to expect success Positive habits and high expectations formed early can make a big difference in student success. Development of life skills and support of social services help make those expectations a reality. Students need guidance to develop interpersonal, social, business and financial awareness skills. Exposure to college and the workplace can help them envision a positive future. ✮ Personalize schools and curriculum to meet 21st Century student needs Today’s students come to school with a broad spectrum of needs – academic, social, financial, emotional. Schools and school systems meet the students as they are and must adapt to address these needs. Thus, schools must be aware of differing cultural backgrounds and prepare teachers and staff to handle them respectfully. Smaller schools and classes can help teachers and students come to know each other personally. What is taught and how it is taught matters. Schools can teach and value thinking skills – critical thinking, performance-based learning, real life, portfolio assessments – not just test-taking skills. If instruction is linked to purpose, it will be more relevant to the students’ real world.
DROPOUTS BY THE NUMBERS Officially reported dropout rates in Texas and around the country are generally believed to understate the number of students who do not successfully complete high school. Many scholars and researchers offer different ways to report and understand this information. One method compares the number of freshmen to the number of graduates four years later (with statistical adjustments for expected changes in enrollment). Using this method, for the class of 2006, in Harris County: Forty percent of students who began as freshmen in 2002-03 left prior to graduation with a high school diploma. This represents more than 26,000 students. Of those students: • 58 percent are Hispanic • 27 percent are Black • 13 percent are White Source: Intercultural Development Research Association, October 2006
During the town hall forum at Austin High School, Al Mock, a teacher at Westbury High School in Houston ISD, leads a group discussion on solutions to the dropout problem.
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HOUSTON RECOMMENDATIONS ON NO CHILD LEFT BEHIND
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he observations and opinions shared by more than 250 participants at the March 27 Houston hearing on No Child Left Behind were synthesized into an executive summary, and were submitted to U.S. Senators by the Public Education Network on March 28. The role of Houston A+ Challenge in this event was to collect and report public input. Houston A+ does not endorse any specific recommendations, but does encourage public engagement through communication with elected representatives.
In Houston, participants made suggestions on four key topics:
Teacher Quality
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Having a high quality teacher in every classroom is one of the most important factors in student success, and the measure of quality should include student, parent and peer evaluations. More recommendations:
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Hold schools responsible for offering quality professional development in a non-punitive setting if teachers are found to be lacking in skills. Reward teachers who work with at-risk students with recognition and extra salary. Require teachers to participate in ongoing professional development in their field of study, so that students are exposed to the most current knowledge and are more prepared for the real world. Offer more federal and state incentives (grants, funding, forgiveness of student loans) to encourage teachers to continue their education.
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I don't want
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my child to be left behind. I want her to be left in front.
Testing and Accountability
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NCLB town hall participants worked in small groups on each of the four topics and chose a representative to share their suggestions with the entire assembly. Photo by Ben DeSoto ■
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NCLB and standardized testing should not be eliminated, but significant improvements and supplementary emphases are needed. For example: ■ Deemphasize high-stakes testing and place more emphasis on educating the "whole child" through the arts, sciences, physical education, and hands-on/realworld skills. ■ Require states to use metrics that capture and report on student and school achievement growth, instead of an arbitrary measurement. Limit high-stakes, year-end tests, in favor of diagnostic tests that allow teachers to make productive and timely adjustments in their teaching.
Include student portfolios and projects and surveys of parents and community members when evaluating students and schools. Coordinate each state's grade-level standards so that students who move across state lines are not falling behind – as did many students from Louisiana who were displaced by Katrina. Improve the way NCLB captures the progress of English language learners.
––Shantell Thomas, parent
Community Involvement There should be more oversight and enforcement of the NCLB requirements that schools and school districts involve parents and the community in school-based decisionmaking and more line-item funding for schools to carry out these requirements Other recommendations: ■
Increase "bottom-up assessment" of schools, through community/parent surveys of teachers, principals and schools.
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Mail all parents and community members a yearly report on a school's progress, including details on financial oversight. Direct more resources toward translation services and outreach that encourages participation among nonEnglish speaking parents, in order to make them feel welcome, respected and engaged in their children's education. Giving businesses tax incentives for participating in schools.
Interventions for Low Performance Interventions should not be punitive, but should come as a "rallying cry" that encourages parents/communities to pitch in. For example: ■ Shift the law's focus away from interventions perceived as punitive and toward school improvement that inspires active community engagement. ■ Appoint a high-level ombudsman in each state to oversee compliance when interventions are required. ■ Give low-performing schools additional resources for improvement. ■ Incorporate line-item funding for more social workers in schools at all levels – elementary, middle and high school.
Houston Hearing. . . continued from page1
CHANGES AT HOUSTON A+ CHALLENGE
The day after the Houston hearing, Wendy Puriefoy, president of the Public Education Network, testified before the U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and delivered a
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Something has to give. They need to allow teachers to be teachers and allow the creative process in the schools and the classroom. –– Monica Zepeda, teacher, parent synopsis of the feedback gathered from Houston and across the country to Washington lawmakers. “We're hearing that communities across the nation are concerned by the same things – an over-emphasis on standardized testing, a narrowing of the curriculum to focus on test preparation rather than academic learning, using sanctions that do not help improve schools, and inadequate funding.” Puriefoy said. “Without significant and effective community involvement, we will not be able to deliver on the promise of an excellent education for every child.”
2007
From left: Michele Pola, Ed.D., Executive Director, Houston A+ Challenge; Dr. Peter Bishop, Coordinator, Futures Studies, University of Houston; Linda Clarke, Education Director, Office of Mayor Bill White; Ron Cowell, President, Education Policy and Leadership Center; Roberto Gonzalez, Vice President, Education & Training Centers, Inc.; Henry Johnson, Former U.S. Assistant Secretary for Elementary and Secondary Education (20052006). Photo by Ben DeSoto
To read the summary of recommendations from the Houston hearing that was submitted to the U.S. Congress, see previous page.
Calendar
of
Events
May 29-30
Regional High School Network Leadership Team Conference
June 4-8
5th Annual Teacher Externship Program
June 11-15
Critical Friends Group (CFG) New Coaches Seminar
n late 2006, the Houston A+ Challenge Board of Trustees elected Joe B. Foster, the founder, former chairman and CEO of Houston-based Newfield Exploration Co., as its new Chairman. Ann Friedman, Ph.D., was elected President. Mr. Foster, president of the board since 2002, replaces Harry M. Reasoner, a partner in Vinson & Elkins Law Firm, who had served as chair since 2002 and continues on as board member. Dr. Friedman is a licensed psychologist and serves on the board of several other local organizations. The board also welcomed two new members in early 2007. Susan Bischoff, a 32year veteran of the Houston Chronicle, is the first president of Houston Public Library Foundation. VJ Turner, Jr., manager of Global Data Center Operations for ExxonMobil Corporation in Houston, is an electrical engineer who has been active in professional association activities. In recent management changes: ■ Suzanne Sutherland has been named Associate Director, and continues her duties as Director of Programs. ■ Nan Powers Varoga, Director of Public Affairs since 1999, stepped down to join her husband in Des Moines, where he was national campaign manager for Tom Vilsack. ■ Melissa Milios, a former newspaper reporter, is the new Director of Public Affairs. Melissa previously served as communications director for the Los Angeles School Board President. ■ Dr. Louise Deretchin has retired after seven years as Director of Higher Education. At Houston A+, Louise worked with universities and K-12 districts to reform teacher preparation.
June 11-July 21 Baylor College of Medicine Summer Science Institute June 25-26
New Visions in Leadership Summer Institute
July 24-25
11th Annual Reforming Schools Summer Institute (RSSI)
September 8
Reach Out to Dropouts Walk, Houston ISD
HELP US IMPROVE SCHOOLWORKS: Please take five minutes to complete our online survey at www.houstonaplus.org 7
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#11363 HOUSTON, TEXAS
1415 Louisiana, Box 9 Houston, Texas 77002-7332 713-658-1881 fax 713-739-0166 www.houstonaplus.org
Focus on Whidby Elementary:
THE HOUSTON A+ CHALLENGE BOARD OF TRUSTEES
W hen you walk onto the campus at Whidby Elementary in Houston ISD, you’ll see adults working with students and in classrooms. And not all of them are teachers. Local artists, retired teachers, community members and Whidby parents find themselves welcomed and encouraged to spend time at the school. Under a unique program, funded in part by a Focused Impact Grant from Houston A+ Challenge, Whidby Elementary has found ways to increase community involvement at the school. Retired teachers and community volunteers, as well as paid consultants, mentor and support new teachers and provide learning opportunities to teachers and students, allowing for greater collaboration and personalization at the school. Whidby has strategically targeted classrooms and students in need of extra support and has creatively engaged with community partners to provide that extra support. The Parent Resource Center offers classroom connection activities to encourage families to learn and to effectively contribute time to the school. When parent workshops are held, light snacks and childcare are provided to promote participation by making it easier for parents to attend. Whidby’s goal is to build a culture where parents view themselves as partners in the learning environment. Whidby Elementary, a Title 1 school, has an enrollment of 580 students. The school is located in the southeast sector of Houston’s South Union Community. The socio-economic status of the community varies from very low to middle income. The ethnicity of the school is: 80 percent African-American; 12 percent Hispanic; 5 percent Anglo; 4 percent Asian. Eighty percent of the students receive free or reduced-price meals.
Joe B. Foster, Chairman Founder Newfield Exploration Company Ann Friedman, Ph.D., President Civic Volunteer
BOARD MEMBERS Leonel Castillo Civic Volunteer Jonathan Day Managing Partner Andrews & Kurth, Mayor, Day, Caldwell & Keeton, LLP Michael Dee Managing Director, Morgan Stanley Roberto Gonzalez Vice President, Employment and Training Centers, Inc. H. Devon Graham, Jr. R.E. Smith Interests Jenard Gross President, Gross Investments Steve Miller Chairman & President SLM Discovery Venture Inc. Karol Musher, M.A., CCC-SLP Speech, Language and Learning Disorders Texas Children’s Hospital Maconda Brown O’Connor, Ph.D. Chairman, Brown Foundation Harry M. Reasoner Vinson & Elkins, LLP
SchoolWorks is published by: Houston A+ Challenge 1415 Louisiana, Box 9 Houston, TX 77002
713.658.1881 / 713.739.0166 (fax)
Executive Director: Michele Pola, Ed.D. Director of Public Affairs: Melissa Milios Writer: Betsy Broyles Breier
www.houstonaplus.org
J. Victor Samuels Chairman, Victory Packaging Yava Scott Community Volunteer VJ Turner, Jr. ExxonMobil Corporation Andrea White Civic Volunteer Rosie Zamora President, Houston Wilderness, Inc.