Sam Houston High ordered To Close

[tvc184]

Under that premise, a sports team would complain "we can't win because the nieghborhood our stadium is in isn't as nice as others". Just another excuse. The "poor" schools are highly subsidized by the others (Robin Hood) as it is. If anything, the "poor" have access to government programs the others don't. Maybe the "poor" should stop destroying their own schools. The eternal victim mentality destroys personal inititive and ambition. What about college admissions? "Poor" and minorities are given preference over middle class whites every day. Ever heard of "race norming" scores? Google that, and Hopwood vs. UT, too...

Yeah, I don't buy the complaint of money spent. Put a kid in a one room schoolhouse with a volunteer teacher that is willing to teach and a student that is willing to learn and all that is needed is a Big Chief tablet and a #2 lead pencil. There is no need for computers, air conditioned school houses, separate boys and girls gyms, etc. Those are all nice things to have but we managed to put people on the moon without them.

[Guest ECBucFan]

Some kids (and parents) actually feel disadvantaged because their Jumbotron at the HS stadium is not as big as their rivals is... Eternal victims... :-\

[KFDM COOP]

Looks like it will reopen!

State Approves HISD’s Plan for Two New Schools at Sam Houston

June 20, 2008

Letter From Commissioner

Click here  to see a copy of the June 18 letter from the Texas Commissioner of Education (PDF).

The Texas Commissioner of Education has approved HISD’s plan to create two new schools—a ninth-grade academy and a college-preparatory center—at the now-closed Sam Houston High School site, clearing the way for work to continue to have students return in August.

Commissioner of Education Robert Scott approved HISD’s plan to create the two new schools, saying the “proposal has promise.†The Commissioner said a management team will be assigned to HISD to direct and oversee the work of creating the two new schools that will replace Sam Houston High School, which was closed because of unacceptable academic performance.

“We are very pleased that Commissioner Scott has accepted our proposal to get exciting new schools with strong academic programs up and running for our young people in August,†Superintendent of Schools Abelardo Saavedra said. “The commissioner’s quick action on our request lets us move ahead with the work we need to get done to be ready to serve children when school starts again on August 25.â€

Commissioner Scott ordered Sam Houston High closed earlier this month because it failed to make enough academic progress to get off the state’s list of academically unacceptable schools. But last week, Dr. Saavedra worked with the commissioner’s office and the HISD Board of Education to craft a plan to open two new schools.

The Texas school accountability system requires that all students and student groups (African American, Hispanic, White, and Economically Disadvantaged), meet the academic standard in every subject before a school can be rated as academically acceptable. At Sam Houston High School, HISD officials were not able to help the school make enough progress in one subject—math.

“Sam Houston has made some good progress these last few years. We’re all proud of the hard work of the teachers, the students, the parents and the community, and we are committed to many more great things in the future for that community,†Dr. Saavedra said.

A new principal already has been appointed. Jane Crump, the very successful principal of William Stevenson Middle School, was named last month to lead the 10th-through-12th grade campus next year that will be a center for math, science, and technology and will offer college and career pathways for students in engineering, health professions, information technology, and automotive technology.

The separate ninth-grade academy will feature a longer school day for students, and college and career programs, along with teen leadership classes focusing on character development. The ninth-grade academy will include intensive math, science, and technology instruction. Students needing extra math assistance would get 90 minutes of supplemental instruction every day. The students also will have a chance to take dual credit and Advanced Placement courses to earn college credit while still in high school.

In a letter to Dr. Saavedra (PDF) dated June 18, Commissioner Scott wrote “I am granting the district’s request to repurpose the facility, subject to state oversight.

“I believe your proposal has promise, particularly the longer school day for the 9th Grade Academy and the college readiness emphasis for the Math and Science Center. I expect the district to implement the proposal in a focused and consistent manner well beyond the first year detailed in the proposal, and am ordering state oversight for that purpose.â€

Commissioner Scott wrote the management team assigned from the state will “have the authority to direct the actions of the principals, superintendent and school board with respect to the two new campuses … .†The repurposed schools will have new names approved by the management team, and students won’t be assigned to either of the new schools for the next two years. Instead, any student around the district who wishes to attend either of the new schools, including students who live in the old Sam Houston attendance zone, can apply for admission. HISD must also offer students formerly zoned to Sam Houston transfers and transportation to any surrounding HISD high school if they wish. Parents of students previously assigned to Sam Houston High will be allowed to elect in writing to choose one of the two new campuses for their children.

Although Commissioner Scott said at least 75 percent of the instructional staff previously assigned to Sam Houston must be reassigned, he is authorizing the management team to make “case-by-case exceptions for individual teachers who did not teach a subject that resulted in an Academically Unacceptable rating … .â€

“I appreciate the effort you, your staff, and the Houston ISD school board have made to develop the proposal for these two new schools,†Commissioner Scott wrote. “The plan will require a sustained commitment from the district but does show promise to become something the entire Houston community can be proud of.â€

[1906]

New name for school will be Houston High School.  On the THSCA alot coaching vacancies posted this week.

[BHFAN]

Finally, inequality can only be overcome with equal access. No matter how many laws are passed, poor children will never attend  better schools, because most will not be located in their communities and transportation will not available to them.

Under that premise, a sports team would complain "we can't win because the nieghborhood our stadium is in isn't as nice as others". Just another excuse. The "poor" schools are highly subsidized by the others (Robin Hood) as it is. If anything, the "poor" have access to government programs the others don't. Maybe the "poor" should stop destroying their own schools. The eternal victim mentality destroys personal inititive and ambition. What about college admissions? "Poor" and minorities are given preference over middle class whites every day. Ever heard of "race norming" scores? Google that, and Hopwood vs. UT, too...

Very much in agreeance!!!!