Extra Credit

Fort Worth students show "encouraging gains" in early STAAR results

Fifth and eighth grade students in the Fort Worth school district made "encouraging gains" on this year's standardized tests, administrators announced.

Preliminary results show an increase in the percentage of students who passed the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Skills (STAAR) tests in math and reading. But scores for Asian students as a whole dropped. The tests were given earlier this month.

This week, third, fourth, sixth and seventh graders took the reading and math tests. Fifth graders took the science test and eighth graders took the science and social studies tests.

On the math test, fifth graders improved their passing rate by seven percentage points. Last year, as fourth graders, 59 percent of those students passed the test. This year, as fifth graders, 66 percent of students passed. African American students showed double digit gains, improving from 40 to 50 percent.

On the reading test, fifth graders improved four percentage points, from 63 to 67 percent passing. And students who took the reading test in Spanish improved nine percentage points, from 68 to 77 percent.

For eighth graders, students jumped 13 percentage points in math, from 58 percent passing as seventh graders to 71 percent passing this year. Gains were even greater for Hispanic students, who jumped from 60 percent passing to 75 percent, a 15 point boost. African American students, too, jumped 15 percentage points, from 41 percent passing to 56 percent.

On the reading test, eighth graders improved four points, from 66 percent to 70 percent passing. Hispanic students had a seven point gain, from 65 to 72 percent passing.

"These preliminary numbers are telling us that we are on track in narrowing the achievement gap among our students," Superintendent Walter Dansby said in a statement. "We are studying the successes as well as those opportunities for improvement during re-test."

The district is studying the results to determine why there were some drops in passing rates for Asian students. For instance, fifth grade math scores dropped nine points from 90 to 81 percent. And eighth grade reading scores dropped 15 points, from 56 to 41 percent. 

Spokesman Clint Bond said that it could be due to an influx of students who are still learning English.

The school district point out that the district launched block scheduling for middle schools this year, which provides an extra eight weeks worth of instruction time. Also, the district created learning networks, teams of educators who support teachers and administrators on campuses.

Jessamy Brown

 

Fort Worth students put language studies to use at Kimbell Art Museum's gallery night

Fort Worth school district students who are taking foreign languages will put their knowledge to use at Global Gallery Night at the Kimbell Art Museum on Friday.

The teens, who have taken at least three years of language studies, will serve as docents or tour guides, sharing their insights about the artwork in the permanent collection at the museum. The event is sponsored by the museum and the Fort Worth school district's world languages department. Students have taken part for eight years, according to a news release. 

Students had a mandatory orientation at the Kimbell.

The school district offers instruction in several languages, including French, Italian, Japanese, Spanish, German, Latin, Chinese and American Sign Language.

Global Gallery Night:

• Kimbell Art Museum, 3333 Camp Bowie Blvd., Fort Worth
• Friday, April 19, 6 to 8 p.m.

Jessamy Brown 

Texas Senator Wendy Davis to hold town hall meetings on public education

Two town hall meetings on Saturday will focus on public education topics, including funding, accountability and curriculum issues.

The town halls are being held by Texas Senator Wendy Davis (D-Fort Worth). (Davis at a 2011 education town hall at Paschal High School/Joyce Marshall)

• In Arlington: 9:30 a.m. at the Mac Bernd Professional Development Center, 1111 W. Arbrook Blvd.
• In Fort Worth: 2 p.m. at Nichols Martin Hall at Texas Wesleyan University, 1309 Wesleyan St.

Jessamy Brown

When is my kid taking the STAAR test?

Testing under the state's standardized exam program known as STAAR starts this week and school districts are taking to social media to remind parents. 

Last week, the Fort Worth school district posted on its website a list of tips to help children prepare for the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) tests and the program's End-of-Course tests for high school students (EOCs).

Children should get a good night's sleep and eat a good breakfast.

This morning, Fort Worth ISD tweeted: "EOC and STAAR tests this week. Take your time and think. You can do this."

High school freshmen and sophomores will take STAAR end-of-course tests in certain subjects. Juniors and seniors are still tested under the Texas Assessments of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) program.

Here's the STAAR 2013 schedule as posted by the Texas Education Agency:

Monday: High school English 1 and 3 writing

Tuesday: High school English 1 and 3 reading; grades 4 and 7 writing day 1; grades 5 and 8 math

Wednesday: High school English 2 writing; grades 4 and 7 writing day 2; grades 5 and 8 reading

Thursday: High school English 2 reading

April 23: Grades 3, 4, 6 and 7 math

April 24: Grades 3, 4, 6 and 7 reading; grades 5 and 8 science

April 25: Grade 8 social studies

May 6 to 17: High school end of course tests

Jessamy Brown

 

 

United Educators Association endorses Fort Worth ISD board incumbents for re-election

The Fort Worth-based United Educators Association employee group is endorsing the re-election bids of two Fort Worth school district trustees, a news release said.

The group, which represents more than 6,000 Fort Worth school district employees, is endorsing incumbents Carlos Vasquez in the school board's district 1 and Juan Rangel in district 9.

"Juan Rangel and Dr. Carlos Vasquez have proven themselves as champions for our students and our teachers," Steven Poole, UEAs executive director, said in the release. "As a current teacher, Dr. Carlos Vasquez understands the needs of our students. Juan Rangel's experience on the school board is important to help us focus on the continued improvement of our schools."

Vasquez, a teacher, has two challengers: Camille Rodriguez, a podiatrist and Jacinto A. Ramos Jr., a juvenile probation officer.

Rangel, a marketing/management consultant, is also in a three way race. Ashley E. Paz, an event planner and Melody Palacios, who gave her occupation as a housewife, are also running for the seat.

The group's executive board reviewed the candidates' qualifications, voting records and other factors, the release said.

Jessamy Brown

 

Mansfield ISD student, 8, is youngest competitor at Wednesday's regional spelling bee

Eight-year-old Kailey Choi, the youngest winner of a Mansfield school district spelling bee, will compete in the regional bee at TCU on Wednesday.

Kailey, a third grader, correctly spelled some tough words during the district event last month, including influenza, ominous, refugee, arsenal, piccolo and monotonous.

She topped runner up Jeremy Pham, a fifth grader, who misspelled etymology in the 24th round of competition. Her winning word was exuberant.

(R: Kailey Choi wins Mansfield spelling bee/MISD)

Here's a video of the Mansfield district competition:

ORIGINAL POST

How do you spell V-I-C-T-O-R-Y?

Twenty-five students from North Texas --including one who is just eight-years-old -- will square off on Wednesday at the annual regional spelling bee.

The winner will advance to the national Scripps National Spelling Bee, scheduled for May 28 to 30 near Washington, D.C.

Students from 457 schools participated in the TCU College of Education Spelling Bee, sponsored by the College of Education's Center for Urban Education and the Star-Telegram. The 25 students qualified for the regional bee by winning their campus bee and then their district or area bee, said Jan Lacina, associate dean at the TCU college of education.

In addition to the expenses-paid trip to the finals, the regional winner gets a trophy, dictionary and the chance to audit a TCU course.

Two students who competed in previous regional contests are returning on Wednesday and the youngest contestant is Kailey Choi, a third grader at Anderson Elementary School in the Mansfield school district.

Last year's winner, Mark De Los Santos, is not eligible to compete again because he is in ninth grade. He advanced to the sixth round of the national spelling bee semi-finals but did not spell himation correctly.

The regional bee is scheduled for 9 a.m. to noon at the TCU Brown Lupton University Union, 2901 Stadium Drive, Fort Worth.

Jessamy Brown

 

Teachers to rally, march to Austin capitol for Save Texas Schools event on Sat

Teachers and public education supporters are traveling to the state capital this weekend for a Save Texas Schools march and rally at the Texas capitol.

Organizers expect about 15,000 people to the Saturday event. The rally is to start with a march from the Congress Avenue bridge to the capitol site.

Here's their battle cry: "Say NO to school funding cuts, vouchers and a broken testing system. Say YES to great public schools for ALL Texas children."

The group's website says that a group from Everman ISD is chartering a bus to Austin.

And Fort Worth-based United Educators Assocation is taking a bus full of folks, leaving about 6 a.m. on Saturday morning from Tarrant County College-South Campus, says Steven Poole, UEA executive director.

Here are the details:

• March: 10:45 a.m. on the Congress Avenue Bridge to the capitol. Gathering at the Austin American-Statesman at the corner of Riverside Drive and S. Congress Avenue.
• Rally: Noon to 1:30 p.m. at the Texas State Capitol on the South Steps, Congress Avenue & 11th Street
• Directions and Parking: here.

Many educators have traveled to Austin in recent weeks while the legislature is in session. Fort Worth school district teachers Dolores Rayas and Raul Duran joined 400 teachers who met with state legislators at the Association of Texas Professional Educators' lobby day on Feb. 11. Rayas and Duran teach at Como Montessori School, according to a news release from spokeswoman Ashley Anthony.

And Kennedale school district trustees, district administrators and city of Kennedale reps spent Feb. 12 in Austin. They met with Rep. Bill Zedler, Sen. Wendy Davis and Rep. Diane Patrick, said Erin Hyden, school district spokeswoman. (R: Kennedale Day at the state capitol. Via KISD)

Jessamy Brown

 

Fort Worth seniors can write their way to new wheels in annual Frank Kent Honda contest

A Fort Worth school district senior will have the chance to use their ability to turn a phrase into the turn of the wheel of a new car.

In the second annual Words for Wheels essay contest, students are writing up to 1,000 words on this topic: "In the future, how do you plan on using technology to promote and help your community?" The pieces will be judged on originality, clarity of message and presentation, according to a news release from Frank Kent Honda.

Starting this week, students will get a chance to check out the model as it makes stops at various Fort Worth high schools.

The contest is a partnership between Frank Kent Honda, Fort Worth schools and the City of Fort Worth. Graduating seniors have the chance to win a 2013 Honda Civic LX coupe or sedan - and they can pick the color. The EECU will cover the cost of tax, title and license fees on the vehicle.

The deadline is March 17. The winner will be presented with the car at the Fort Worth-based dealership on April 29. The contest was created by Frank Kent Honda co-owners Will Churchill and Corrie Watson, graduates of Arlington Heights High School.

Jessamy Brown

Prep, practice for high school STAAR at Fort Worth schools' first Spring Break School

Forget that spring break trip to the beach. Why not stay here and polish skills in reading, writing and biology?

The Fort Worth school district is launching its first-ever Spring Break School, offering high school students the chance to spend four days preparing and practicing for the End-Of-Course exams required for graduation.

Sign up for the free program started today and runs through Thursday, Feb. 21. The classes are March 11 through 14 and students can sign up for 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. or 1:30 p.m. to 4:30 p.m. or both

Classes will be offered in algebra 1, biology, English 1 reading, English 1 writing and world geography.Transportation and meals included.

Jessamy Brown

Fort Worth schools leaders to get orientation on new student records system

Fort Worth schools officials have created "Focus Leadership Teams" at each campus to help with the transition to a new student information system.

Schools trustees agreed to go forward with a new system to replace the current Connects system. The aim is to have the new system by Florida-based Focus School Software in place by the fall for the 2013-2014 school year, according to a news release on the school district's website. The teams are scheduled to attend an orientation session and an online webinar in February.

Schools officials agreed to change vendors after a series of problems with the Connects student data software system that produced inaccurate transcripts, incomplete grade reports and incorrect attendance records.

The Connects system, by Tyler Technologies, was launched in 2010 and reports soon after began emerging of problems including inaccurate student schedules and disappearing grades.

The Focus system was chosen after "district stakeholders and end-users spent several months interviewing, visiting and evaluating products submitted by top vendors," the release said. The school district also worked with the Center for Educational Leadership and Technology on the project.

Jessamy Brown