Works SCHOOL
WINTER 2003
VOLUME 11
A P U B L I C AT I O N O F T H E H O U S T O N A + C H A L L E N G E
HOUSTON A+ ELECTS NEW BOARD MEMBERS
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n addition to its new name, Houston A+ Challenge (formerly The Houston Annenberg Challenge) started the New Year with a new slate of officers and board members. In January, the organization elected Harry Reasoner as Chairman and Joe B. Foster as President of the Board of Trustees. “We have been blessed with extremely capable leaders the last five years,” said Linda Clarke, executive director of Houston A+ Challenge. “Our new officers and board members bring with them the same commitment to excellence in education for all children. We are thrilled to have their leadership and vision.” Mr. Reasoner, a member of the board since 1997, replaces Jonathan Day as Chairman. Mr. Reasoner is a senior partner at Vinson & Elkins, L.L.P. and serves on the boards of numerous local and national organizations. Mr. Foster, a member of the board since 1999, replaces Andrea White as President. Mr. Foster is the chairman, president and chief executive Harry Reasoner officer of Newfield Exploration Company and also serves on the boards of several local organizations and businesses. Both Mr. Day, who is managing partner of Andrews & Kurth, Mayor, Day, Caldwell & Keeton, L.L.P., and Ms. White will remain as board members. Also newly elected to the Houston A+ Challenge Board of Trustees are David A. French, division vice president and general manager, Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc.; Roberto Gonzalez, vice president, Employment and Training Centers Inc.; Steven L. Miller, chairman and president, SLM Discovery Ventures; Yava D. Scott, community volunteer; and Randa Duncan Williams, president, Enterprise Products Company. Returning board members Joe B. Foster include Leonel Castillo, education LEADERSHIP ACADEMY APPLICATIONS DUE MARCH 28 liaison, Mayor’s office; Ann Friedman, Ph.D., adjunct professor, University of Houston; H. Devon Graham, Jr., R.E. Smith Interests; Applications are currently being accepted for the 2003-2004 Jenard Gross, president, Gross Investments; Karol Musher, M.A., Houston A+ Challenge New Visions in Leadership Academy. CCC-SLP, speech, language and learning disorders, Texas Children’s Modeled after the prestigious Harvard Graduate School of Hospital; Maconda Brown O’Connor, Ph.D., chairman, Brown Education Principals’ Center, this two-year program is designed to Foundation; J. Victor Samuels, chairman, Victory Packaging; H. help school leaders develop the skills necessary to be an effective Michael Tyson, vice chairman, Chase Bank of Texas (retired); and leader in the 21st century school. Rosie Zamora, president, Telesurveys Research Associates. Retiring Applications for the Academy, which begins in June, are due board members are Nellie Carr Thorogood, vice chancellor, North Friday, March 28. Call 713-658-1881 or visit the website at Harris Montgomery Community College District (retired); and www.houstonaplus.org for more information. Janice Dupuy, consultant, NUCO.
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
Director
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o shame, no blame, no excuses. That is the message that Harvard’s Tony Wagner brought to Houston recently to school district leaders, teachers, businesspeople and community members who are working to improve public education. Wagner was in Houston at the invitation of the Houston A+ Challenge. Wagner, a noted author and co-director of the Change Leadership Group at Harvard College, told his Linda Clarke listeners that today’s schools need to completely reinvent themselves. Reform around the edges, he said, is not enough. “Schools, teachers and parents are not failing,” Wagner said. “The system itself is failing.” American public education today is obsolete; it is a sorting system developed at the turn of the 20th Century. “What other industry do you know of that is still using 100-year-old tools?” Before we can invent a new education system, however, we must understand what that system needs to do, he continued. Today’s knowledge-based economy requires workers who know how to continue learning, who can problem solve, who can work on a team and communicate effectively. The trouble is, we don’t know how to set up schools so they teach these skills. But the task is not impossible. Indeed, public education has done this before. When our nation moved from a 19th century rural economy to a 20th century manufacturing economy, we invented the factory model of schooling still in use today. The three principles of reinventing schools are these: rigor, relevance and relationships/respect. In rigor, we need uniformly high academic standards for all students, while allowing for different ways in which students can show mastery. In relevance, we need a curriculum both challenging and connected to “real world” applications such as service and internships. In relationships/respect, we need to know students personally to be able to motivate them to learn. How do we know that Wagner’s research applies to Houston? We asked the students. At the Houston A+ Challenge, we have accepted Mr. Wagner’s challenge. We invite you to join us and make the 21st century school a reality.
Houston Schools for a New Society Produces Guide to High School Reform Since 2000, Houston ISD and the Houston A+ Challenge have been working together to transform Houston’s comprehensive high schools into 21st century learning centers. Called Houston Schools for a New Society, the partnership grew out of the A+ Challenge’s pilot project at Reagan High School and includes all 24 of the district’s large high schools thanks to a $12 million grant from the Carnegie Corporation of New York and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. As part of its work, Houston Schools for a New Society has developed a framework for high school reform that can be adapted and replicated as other schools and districts work to redesign their own high schools into small, theme-based academies capable of producing graduates trained for the workforce of the New Economy. Houston Schools for a New Society has produced a brochure outlining the process for those interested in joining the effort. According to the guide, the major milestones on the path to reform include: 1. Agreement on the need for change 2. An outline of the components needed for change at different levels 3. A clearly stated vision and guiding principles 4. A formula for working together with all major stakeholders 5. A method of accountability and measurement of success To receive a copy of the brochure, or for more information on playing a role in the continuing Houston Schools for a New Society project, contact the Houston A+ Challenge at 713-658-1881 or visit the website at www.houstonaplus.org.
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TWO LOCAL MUSEUMS PARTNER WITH A+ CHALLENGE TO ADD MATH TO EXHIBITS
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The work done in the partnership is “Our partnership with Houston A+ receiving national attention with those Challenge and ExxonMobil has fueled the involved in the project sharing their experience Children’s Museum’s expertise in mathematics through relationships with math experts locally at the National Council of Teachers of Mathematics national meeting in San Antonio. and across the country, including Houston Also participating in a partnership with the ISD’s Southwest District, Ruth Parker, Mount Holyoke, TERC and the Lawrence Houston A+ Challenge is The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. Work on this project just began Hall of Science,” said Scott. “In last fall, with a team of math specialists the last 18 months of attending a brainstorming and planning session ExxonMobil funding, we have at the museum to develop an initial list of implemented 95 hands-on, suggestions for incorporating math into standards-based mathematics exhibits. The session allowed math specialists activities for family and school and museum docents to observe selected pieces visitors in the museum and in of art with two specific questions in mind: several of our outreach “What math ideas come to you as you observe programs.” All of the activities are relevant this piece of art?” and “What questions might you ask a child to bring out these math ideas ?” to children’s daily lives, inviting The museum is using information gleaned from visitors to make connections to these sessions to create tours around the theme the real world applications of “Math + Art = Fun.” mathematics with each activity Teachers review a sculpture at The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston. “By working with Houston ISD’s math and having extensions for continued “We are working with the museums and our learning at home. The Children’s Museum also art specialists, we have been able to integrate math concepts and ideas on elementary school has integrated the ExxonMobil Magnificent network of math specialists to find ways our tours,” said Stephanie Piefer, the docent Math Moments program into the museum’s schools can share their expertise to give existing outreach efforts including 13 Houston program coordinator for The Museum of Fine mathematics a more visible role in exhibits,” Arts, Houston. “Math and art fit so easily ISD schools and 10 after-school technology said Lance Menster, the K-5 mathematics programs (funded by Institute of Museum and together, whether it is geometry, linear initiative project coordinator for the Houston perspective or estimation. Connections are Library Services). Most recently, ExxonMobil A+ Challenge. “At the same time, the being made in the galleries that can be museums are sharing their expertise with us to Magnificent Math Moments were piloted at reiterated in the classroom.” make math more relevant for teachers, students five after-school sites in Houston including the Community Family Center, and their parents.” DeZavala Park Community Work on the project began in 2001 with a Center, Star of Hope grant from ExxonMobil providing an Transitional Living Center, opportunity to create “Magnificent Math Ripley House and El Moments” at the Children’s Museum. Math Centro de Corazon. A games and games with math components are preliminary evaluation of stationed throughout the museum, and the the efforts indicated a museum recently added signage to highlight math ideas. Math specialists from 13 Houston tremendous impact on the after-school sites’ comfort ISD elementary schools have provided expert with mathematics and knowledge to the museum on math content children’s attitude toward and how children learn math with the mathematics. This museum’s coordinator, Angela Scott, even analysis has positioned the participating in an ongoing professional museum to infuse informal development workshop called Developing math learning activities Mathematical Ideas. In return, the Children’s through more of its Museum has hosted Family Math Adventure Nights at the museum and also provides family community partnerships in passes to those who attend school math events the upcoming year of Math specialists and other teachers participate in a planning workshop at The Museum of ExxonMobil funding. throughout the year. Fine Arts, Houston. he Children’s Museum of Houston and The Museum of Fine Arts, Houston are partnering with the Houston A+ Challenge’s K-5 Mathematics Initiative for an exciting new project that makes math an integral part of museum exhibits.
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Houston A+ Challenge Begins Work on Fine Arts Initiative
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s the Houston A+ Challenge begins its new phase of work, one of the top priorities will be creating a fine arts initiative in local elementary schools. Led by A+ fine arts consultant Terri DiRaddo, a fine arts focus group is forming the foundation for the initiative. “Using fine arts as a tool for teaching other subjects can transform the learning environment for both teacher and student,” said Linda Clarke, executive director of the Houston A+ Challenge. “Research shows that the arts can provide new challenges for those students already considered successful, and it can reach those students who are not otherwise being reached. The use of fine arts is a terrific, proven learning tool.” Research, both locally and nationally, has shown that an arts-infused curriculum can have a profound positive effect on learning across subjects including reading, mathematics and science. At Bethune Academy, a Houston A+ Challenge Beacon school in Aldine ISD, the arts-infused curriculum has resulted in increased TAAS test scores for both fourth and fifth grade students. Since implementing the arts-infused curriculum, fourth grade scores improved almost 10 percent while fifth grade scores have improved approximately 20 percent. Perhaps even more importantly, the use of fine arts has been an invaluable tool in closing the learning gap for economically disadvantaged and ethnic students. Other communities across the nation report similar results. In Chicago, more than 60 percent of the students in the Chicago Arts Partnership Schools performed at or above grade level in math on the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. The average for all Chicago public schools is just over 40 percent. After just one year, researchers found that reading proficiency increased almost 5 percent for economically disadvantaged high school seniors involved in the program. In addition, the College Board has reported that SAT scores are considerably higher for students involved in the fine arts, and that fine arts are key to student success in college.
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“Beyond test scores, an arts-infused curriculum can have a tremendous impact on the way students learn,” said Clarke. “According to some of the nation’s leading educational experts, students learn that problems can have more than one solution, they learn that small differences can have large effects, they learn to celebrate multiple perspectives, and they learn constructive ways to say what cannot be said. In short, the use of fine arts as a teaching tool can better equip our children to be successful citizens in a global society.” The Houston A+ Challenge’s fine arts focus group is composed of representatives from the Aldine, Alief, Houston, Humble, North Forest and Spring Branch school districts, as well as Dr. Andy Achenbaum, Professor of Social Work and History at the University of Houston. The group has conducted site visits to several local elementary schools and museums, the Center for the Arts in
New York City and the Minneapolis Annenberg Arts project. The information gleaned from these visits and other research will be used to formulate a formal model to integrate arts throughout the curriculum of a school. Included in the plan will be a course of action for developing partnerships with local arts organizations, designing an advocacy campaign, identifying fund-raising opportunities and planning for ongoing professional development. To apply for a fine arts initiative grant, elementary schools in Houston A+ Challenge’s partner school districts must assemble a fine arts team to attend a required grant orientation session on Saturday, March 29, from 9 a.m. to noon. RSVPs for the orientation are required. Applications, which are due May 1, will be distributed at the orientation. For more information, contact Terri DiRaddo at 713658-1881 or tdiraddo@houstonaplus.org.
Houston A+ Challenge Work Supports No Child Left Behind Act When it was signed into law just over a year ago, the federal No Child Left Behind Act was heralded as the future of American education. One year into the process, the work of Houston A+ Challenge is squarely in line with the goals and priorities of this landmark legislation. In the bill, each state is required to create statewide accountability standards. In Houston, the A+ Challenge is helping build a foundation for meeting the state of Texas standards by providing resources that help teachers develop a variety of classroom instruction techniques so that all children can learn. Another large contribution to the bottom line in student achievement is being made through the Houston Schools for a New Society initiative. Through this work, the A+ Challenge is working with Houston ISD to redesign all 24 of the district’s comprehensive high schools into smaller learning communities. In doing so, the district hopes to improve student achievement and increase graduation rates, another of the federal bill’s priorities. During a recent interview, United States Secretary of Education Rod Paige made one of the long-term goals of the act abundantly clear. “The more you learn, the more you earn,” said Secretary Paige, a former Houston ISD superintendent familiar with the work of the A+ Challenge. It is a lesson welldocumented by Houston educators and school reformers. “To meet the challenges of the new workforce, we must provide children all of the educational tools they need to be successful for a lifetime,” said Linda Clarke, executive director of Houston A+ Challenge. For more information on the No Child Left Behind Act, visit the federal websites at www.ed.gov or www.nclb.gov.
New NewYear YearBrings BringsNew NewName Name With the excitement of the New Year come some exciting changes for the public-
THE HOUSTON
CHALLENGE
formerly The Houston Annenberg Challenge
private partnership formerly known as The Houston Annenberg Challenge. Beginning in January 2003, the organization that has already poured $60 million into Whole School reform in the greater Houston area officially changed its name to the Houston A+ Challenge. “We began this journey five years ago with a generous challenge grant from Ambassador Walter Annenberg and the Annenberg Foundation,” said Harry Reasoner, the incoming chairman of the board for the Houston A+ Challenge. “In those five years, we have worked very hard with our network of educators, parents and community leaders to change the landscape of local public schools. We have seen some incredible results and are looking forward to what the next five years will bring.” The Houston A+ Challenge has already begun its next stage of fund raising with new five-year grants totaling $42 million from the Annenberg Foundation, the Brown Foundation, the Carnegie Corporation and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Led by development committee chairperson Jenard Gross, the group aims to raise an additional $18 million bringing its total commitment over a 10-year period to $120 million. Many of the initiatives begun during the first phase of the project will continue into the new phase, including New Visions in Leadership Academy, Partnership for Quality Education, teacher professional development, the K-5 Mathematics Initiative and the redesign of Houston ISD’s 24 comprehensive high schools. The new funding also will enable the Houston A+ Challenge to embark on a new fine arts initiative for elementary schools (see related article on page 4). “The Annenberg Challenge has positively impacted student achievement in Aldine ISD, and I look forward to continuing our collaboration with Houston A+ Challenge,” said Nadine Kujawa, superintendent of schools for Aldine ISD. “As an example, the Critical Friends Group, one of the collaborative programs offered by Houston A+ Challenge, provided training for teachers to become coaches who returned to their campuses and helped other teachers overcome academic challenges faced by their students.”
Houston A+ Challenge Trains Teach for America Corps Members Since instituting its Critical Friends Group (CFG) program in 1998, the Houston A+ Challenge has trained almost 400 coaches to work with hundreds of additional administrators and teachers across the greater Houston area. CFG has played a critical role in local reform efforts, and recently Teach for America asked the A+ Challenge to provide a weeklong training session for 43 of its corps members from Houston and across the state. The training was funded by a grant from Ocean Energy. “A focus of our charitable giving program at Ocean Energy is organizations that benefit children and education,” said James T. Hackett, chairman, president and chief executive officer. “The partnership between Houston A+ Challenge, Teach for America and St. Thomas University allows us to support three groups that are serving both primary causes. Through this grant, we are preparing some of the nation’s brightest college graduates to give back to society as teachers.” The focus of the five-day training was to allow participants to experience specific facilitation skills through the use of protocols and other instruments. The Teach for America participants emerged from the seminar with three major accomplishments:
1. The training helped them clarify their roles within their own schools. 2. The training helped build unity among corps members, many of whom came from different schools, districts and states. 3. The training provided corps members with facilitator skills that could easily be adapted for professional development and classroom use. “This was so much more valuable than I could have imagined,” said one participant. “Its implications to my life even beyond teaching are astounding.” Another added, “The time to put everything in practice was awesome. It allowed us to really see how these practices would fit into our lives and not just reflect on it.” Through a partnership with the University of St. Thomas, the Teach for America participants also received three hours of master’s level credit. “This Critical Friends Group training supports the mission of the master’s degree program the University of St. Thomas offers to Teach for America corps members,” said Ruth Strudler, Ph.D., Dean, School of Education. “The focus of our program is to develop master level teachers who will remain in teaching for a while. The teachers
who received this training will have a positive effect on their students.” The Teach for America participants were selected for the CFG training based on their leadership role within the organization. The participants were Content Team Leaders, who work with teachers grouped by grade level, and Corps Community Facilitators, who lead professional learning community groups focusing on broader educational issues. Teach for America is the national corps of outstanding recent college graduates of all academic majors who commit two years to teach in low-income communities and become lifelong advocates to expand opportunities for children. In the last 12 years, Teach for America has placed more than 8,000 corps members in 16 rural and urban areas. Critical Friends Group aims to provide deliberate time and structure to promote teachers’ professional growth that is directly linked to student learning. The team members work together in small groups to examine student work and to develop strategies to accelerate each child’s progress. The Houston A+ Challenge is the only center of activity on the Gulf Coast recognized by the National School Reform Faculty.
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Local Fund for Teachers Award Winners Honored at Reception Nearly 50 teachers from Houston ISD, Spring Branch ISD and YES College Preparatory Academy were honored at a reception for local Fund for Teachers grant recipients. Fund for Teachers, started by Apache Corporation Chairman Raymond Plank in 1997, gives grants of up to $5,000 for educators in seven cities, including Houston, to study, explore, learn and embark on “voyages of discovery” during the summer to enliven their classrooms and improve their teaching skills.
Teachers Lori Davis and Nancy Lancaster of Terrace Elementary School discuss their studies at a reception honoring grant recipients.
Several of the teachers participated in international studies such as the Smithsonian Study Tour of the Impressionists in Paris and Normandy and the Summer Institute on Spanish Language and Culture in Spain. Others stayed closer to home, learning digital photography and computer manipulation, visiting American historical sites in the northeast, participating in NASA’s Space Camp, studying various ecosystems, and learning the latest techniques for teaching science. All walked away from their journeys and back to the classroom with real-world experience that translates into classroom knowledge for their students. “I spent my summer traveling through Australia and learning about the history of Aboriginals, meeting people from all over the world and finding out a great deal more about myself by placing myself in a new situation,” said Catherine Davis of Cornerstone Academy in Spring Branch ISD. “I have no doubt that my experience helped gain confidence in the classroom, provided new experiences to share with my students and (provided) a revived sense of importance of what I do each day. My students will certainly benefit.” Fund for Teachers will award the grants in 2003 through an administrative partnership with the Houston A+ Challenge. In Houston, teachers in the Houston and Spring Branch school districts are eligible. The 2003 grants will be announced in March.
PUBLICATIONS & PRESENTATIONS If you would like your publication to be considered for inclusion in Publications of Note, please send a copy of the book or article along with ordering information to: Editor, School Works, 1415 Louisiana, Box 9, Houston, Texas 77002. We also accept information on any presentations that you or your colleagues have made to local, national or international audiences. Send the name of presenter(s), date, topic, location and audience to the address listed above.
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2002 FUND FOR TEACHERS GRANT RECIPIENTS Spring Branch ISD Cathy Bottoms, Northbrook HS Rosa Cardenas, Edgewood ES Catharina Chapman, Spring Branch MS Catherine Davis, Cornerstone Academy Lori Davis, Terrace ES James DiAngelo, Northbrook HS Dolores Eckles, Westchester Academy Catherine Feehan, Spring Branch MS Edith Garner, Treasure Forest ES Cheryl Glasser, Westwood ES Christine Jackson, Landrum MS Nancy Lancaster, Terrace ES James McCaslin, Shadow Oaks ES Bryan Meadows, Cornerstone Academy Dollie O’Day, Spring Branch School of Choice Christine Ollhoft-Barnes, Memorial HS Maurice Stadler, Memorial MS Leah Sequeira, Memorial HS Mark Williams, Northbrook HS Houston ISD Sandra Antalis, Parker ES Saleem Blevins, Burnet ES Bethany Sullivan, Barrick ES Kevin Boyle, Roy P. Benavidez ES Twyla Christie, Love ES Ann Dooling, River Oaks ES Brian Faleski, Sutton ES Barbara Franchina, River Oaks ES Anne King, Sinclair ES Jean King, DeZavala ES Paula Kearney, Kolter ES Martha Lockard, Barbara Bush ES Rhoda MacDonald, Mark Twain ES Summer Payne, Durkee ES Jennifer Richardson, Briargrove ES Marla Roberson, Herod ES Kathryn Robinson, John F. Kennedy ES Melissa Rouch, Mark Twain ES Sheila Rudder, Will Rogers ES Jacqueline Green, West University ES Carrie Jo Sample, Pat Neff ES John Schaff, Northline ES Brett Shiel, Durkee ES Angela Stevens, Benbrook ES Betty York, R.C. Chatham ES YES College Preparatory Academy Paolo Castagnoli Bill Durbin Christina Jackson Leigh Robison Rita Tillson-Vasak
Four Local Teachers Win Champions of Active Learning Grants Four teachers at three local schools recently received $5,000 each thanks to the Champions of Active Learning program. For the third consecutive year, JP Morgan Chase Foundation has awarded the grants to Houston teachers for developing innovative instructional programs that result in improved achievement for middle school students. The 2002-2003 grant winners are: Kimberly Del Carmen Johnston Middle School Adventures in Multiculturalism Through activities including field trips, literature circles, bookstore visits and author readings, students explore reading and writing in a multicultural context. Students will write narratives, poems, folktales and brochures based on their outings to locations such as the Houston Museum of Natural Science and the Institute of Texan Cultures. Students also will read and discuss multicultural books, as well as journal their own cultural experiences. Students will work individually and collaboratively to create a class anthology and will have the opportunity to interact with multicultural authors. Bruce Hartman Johnston Middle School Brays Bayou Ecosystem Field Investigation Students become field scientists studying the ecology and environment of Brays Bayou. Using a variety of field methods, students will gather, interpret and compile data to develop a biologic profile of the bayou. Included in the activities will be field trips, guest speakers and field classes. During the seven-week study, students will practice scientific field investigation techniques, master principles of riparian and grassland ecology, create an ecological profile of the bayou and gain a greater awareness of the bayou as a natural system.
Shelly Hulbirt Hogg Middle School Gardening with STARS Students, teachers and community members come together to grow an organic garden that will enable the students to learn a variety of skills while helping to fight hunger. Along with field trips to local food banks and other urban gardens, students will be exposed to a variety of guest speakers and will have the opportunity to select a food bank to serve as the recipient of the produce grown in their own garden. Students also will design and produce a newsletter on the project and will encourage parent participation through special events. Percy Wilson Attucks Middle School Ring-Wing Glider Project Students learn how to research and design a presentation and are exposed to the character traits commonly found in entrepreneurs through this math and science project. Students test their mathematical and critical thinking skills in building and testing three similar ring-wing gliders. They will explore the history of aviation and add their own hands-on experience to write persuasive papers about their findings. The papers will be presented to a group of business community leaders, with the winners participating in a luncheon. Project partners include American General, Junior Achievement and NASA.
In January, these recipients attended the Champions of Active Learning Conference in New York. They have access to technical assistance opportunities provided by the Public Education Network (PEN) and also will participate in activities throughout the year. The Champions of Active Learning program is sponsored by JP Morgan Chase Foundation and is administered by the Public Education Network (PEN), of which the Houston A+ Challenge is a member. Applications for the upcoming 2003-2004 grants must be postmarked by April 4, 2003. For more information, contact Jon Forde at 713-658-1881 or jforde@houstonaplus.org. Applications may also be downloaded from the Houston A+ Challenge website at www.houstonaplus.org.
SIGN-UP FOR YOUR E-NOTES SUBSCRIPTION If you would like to receive a subscription to “E-notes,” the Houston A+ Challenge’s monthly e-mail newsletter, send your e-mail address to nvaroga@houstonaplus.org.
Sharpstown High School Hosts Community Breakfast More than 30 community leaders, business leaders and parents met with officials from Sharpstown High School in November to learn about the school’s progress on the road to reform. The breakfast was the latest in a series of community engagement events hosted by the Houston A+ Challenge, Houston ISD and each of the 24 high schools involved in the Houston Schools for a New Society high school reform initiative. “The breakfast was one way for us to reach out to the community and let them know that their support is important,” said Elizabeth Schooler, Sharpstown’s PTO president. “So many good things are happening at Sharpstown High School. We want the community to know and to be as excited as we are about the successes of our students.” School officials also learned a thing or two at the event. “The people who attended were very pleased with the progress we’ve made,” said Dr. Marilyn Horne, AP coordinator and grant director for Sharpstown. “I think it reinforced to us the importance of an active, ongoing line of communication with our parents and our surrounding community.” To date, Houston A+ Challenge has sponsored three of these community events. The other events were hosted by Lee High School and Yates High School. Kashmere High School will host the next community meeting. “The education of our children is one of the most important responsibilities of our community,” said Roberto Gonzalez, a member of the Houston A+ Challenge Board of Trustees. “Parents and community have to play a vital role in education; schools cannot do it alone.” Mr. Gonzalez also chairs the Houston ISD PEER Committee, which was formed to help the district reach its goal of at least an 85 percent high school graduation rate.
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THE HOUSTON
CHALLENGE
formerly The Houston Annenberg Challenge
1415 Louisiana, Box 9 Houston, Texas 77002-7332 713-658-1881 fax 713-739-0166 www.houstonaplus.org
NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID
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Spring 2003 Calendar of Events
THE HOUSTON A+ CHALLENGE
MARCH
BOARD OF TRUSTEES Harry Reasoner, Chairman Senior Partner, Vinson & Elkins, LLP
New Visions in Leadership Academy Class of 2002 Town Hall Meeting at Sharpstown High School Fine Arts Initiative Grant Orientation RSVPs due Literacy and Small Learning Community Symposium New Visions in Leadership Academy Class of 2003 applications due Fine Arts Initiative Grant Orientation Session
4 4 21 27 28 29
APRIL 1 17
New Visions in Leadership Academy Class of 2002 District Leaders Retreat
1 4 6
MAY Fine Arts Initiative grant applications due Champions of Active Learning grant applications due New Visions in Leadership Academy Class of 2002 JUNE
16-20 18-20 25-27
Critical Friends Group New Coaches Training Critical Friends Group Principals Training New Visions in Leadership Academy Class of 2003 begins JULY
TBA
Fondren Reforming Schools Summer Institute
Joe B. Foster, President Chairman, President & CEO Newfield Exploration Company BOARD MEMBERS Leonel Castillo Education Liaison, Mayor’s Office Jonathan Day Managing Partner Andrews & Kurth, Mayor, Day, Caldwell & Keeton, LLP David French, Division Vice President & General Manager Coca-Cola Enterprises Inc. Ann Friedman, Ph.D. Adjunct Professor, The University of Houston Roberto Gonzalez Vice President, Employment and Training Centers Inc. H. Devon Graham, Jr. R.E. Smith Interests Jenard Gross President, Gross Investments Steven L. Miller Chairman & President SLM Discovery Ventures Karol Musher, M.A., CCC-SLP Speech, Language and Learning Disorders Texas Children’s Hospital Maconda Brown O’Connor, Ph.D. Chairman, Brown Foundation J. Victor Samuels Chairman, Victory Packaging
SchoolWorks is published by: Houston A+ Challenge 1415 Louisiana, Box 9 Houston, Tx 77002 713.658.1881 / 713.739.0166 (fax) Executive Director: Linda Clarke Associate Director/Director of Programs: Michele Pola, Ed.D. Director of Public Affairs: Nan Powers Varoga
www.houstonaplus.org
Yava Scott Community Volunteer H. Michael Tyson Vice Chairman, Retired, Chase Bank Texas Andrea White Civic Volunteer Randa Duncan Williams President, Enterprise Products Company Rosie Zamora President, Telesurveys Research Associates