Houston, We Have a Problem: Studying the SAS Education Value-Added Assessment System (EVAAS) from Teachers’ Perspectives in the Houston Independent School District (HISD)

This study examined the intended and unintended consequences associated with the Education Value-Added Assessment System (EVAAS) as perceived and experienced by teachers in the Houston Independent School District (HISD). To evaluate teacher effectiveness, HISD is using EVAAS for high-stakes consequences more than any other district or state in the country. view article

FREE WEBINAR THIS THURSDAY: Smartphones: Use Them Smarter, Manage Risk

With the multitude of digital devices that we use on a day to day basis, surely we must be able to use these devices to take our productivity to a new level. However, in the midst of moving all of our information to a device that is connected to the internet we need to stay safe. Equip your team with a new suite of apps and websites that will supercharge their productivity, save time and multiply their efforts. Also, keep them informed with the simple steps to take in order to keep yourself safe from hackers and identity thieves. view article

July 2014 Texas Lone Star.

It's time to speak out about the great things happening on our campuses and in our classrooms! Read about this effort and more in the July 2014 Texas Lone Star read more

New From TEA

• Distinguished Teacher and Principal Talent Pool Recommendation (New)
• Final Adoption of New Teacher and Principal Standards 
• 14-15 List Approved Tests Assessment of English Language Learners
• Financial concerns cause SBOE to delay instructional materials adoption
• 14-15 Official Notification of Chapter 41 Status
• Identification of District Transition and Employment Services Designee 
• A schedule (PDF, 62KB) for the Generation 19 Charter interviews is now available
• Tuition Limits under the TEC, §25.0031  

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Progreso ISD bribery scandal sentencing placed on hold

The sentencing for four men named in the Progreso ISD "Pay To Play" bribery scandal will have to wait to learn their fate.Progrseo Mayor  Omar Vela, his brother Michael, their father Jose and McAllen-based architect Jesus Bustos are still awaiting sentencing. view article

Dan Patrick incorrectly says Texas has 40 percent to 50 percent dropout rates in inner-city schools

Houston state Sen. Dan Patrick, the Republican lieutenant governor nominee, vowed to reach out to all Texans in his general-election campaign. view article

Teachers group drops lawsuit to stop Dallas ISD home-rule commission

After a series of defeats, Dallas teachers group Alliance-AFT announced Friday that it will drop its lawsuit to halt the home-rule commission in Dallas ISD. Alliance-AFT sued Dallas ISD last month, alleging that the district's process to create a home-rule commission violated state law. In late June, a Dallas County District judge denied the group's lawsuit but said that the home-rule commission was improperly selected. view article

Forensic audit could delve deep into BISD

If Beaumont ISD wants to delve down to the bottom of fraud that has occurred in the district, a forensic audit will be vital to the task, according to an expert in embezzlement and fraud cases. And if the school district wants to regain the community's trust, the newly installed board of managers will find a non-local forensic accountant to perform the job, said Michael Kiefer, a Beaumont certified public accountant and fraud examiner for the Wathen, DeShong & Juncker firm. view article

Trial could overturn Irving ISD election system — again

Irving ISD trustees plan to testify this week in a lawsuit that could upend the district’s new election system, which three residents say was designed to shut Hispanics out of power. view article

In-Depth Look at Katy ISD’s Bond Package

KATY, TX (Covering Katy) – It frustrates Katy Independent School District Superintendent Alton Frailey that less than 7 percent of the district’s latest bond proposal is getting nearly 100 percent of the media attention even before the school board has approved sending the issue to voters. Frailey calls the district’s proposal to build a second football stadium “the big elephant in the room.” view article

Deficit thinking: Longview ISD must take steps to cut its spending

The chief financial officer of any organization is charged with managing risk and keeping the enterprise in sound operating condition. That person must be forward-thinking, considering reasonable possibilities within any budget year and beyond. view article

TEA stifles public review of textbooks

Parents have a right, even an obligation, to participate in their children's education, but in Texas, the Texas Education Agency and major textbook publishers are blocking parents from having a voice in what the students are taught. view article

New law saves Texas charter schools millions

A new law  — House Bill 885 — that enables the Permanent School Fund to back charter school bonds has already saved KIPP Houston an astounding $10 million in financing charges. view article

Brazosport: BISD proposed bond school improvement breakdown

The long-range facilities planning committee studied the deficiencies and needs of all 19 Brazosport ISD campuses in determining its recommendation that the district seek a $174 million bond issue to replace five elementary schools and make repairs to all other campuses. Trustees will make the final determination which of the recommendations, if any, to place before voters on the Nov. 4 ballot. view article

Kyle Heath named CISD superintendent

Cleburne ISD officially has a new superintendent. The CISD board of trustees issued a contract agreement to Kyle Heath at Friday’s board meeting.  “We’re excited to have you as our superintendent and we look forward to the future of CISD with you at the helm,” Board President Teddy Martyniuk told Heath, who was present at the meeting. view article

Tyler ISD superintendent finalist setting goals for district

School board members say they are working to take Tyler Independent School District to the next level.The board named Dr. Marty Crawford the lone finalist last night for TISD superintendent.School board vice president Andy Bergfeld says Crawford stood out during the initial review process because of the way he handled difficult times at West ISD. He believes Crawford is qualified to tackle issues TISD faces academically and demographically, view article

Frisco ISD administrator named lone finalist for Coppell ISD superintendent post

Frisco’s Mike Waldrip was named the lone finalist last night to be the new Coppell ISD superintendent. view article

Tyler ISD names next superintendent: Marty Crawford leads small district Wes ISD

Tyler ISD has named Dr. Marty Crawford as the lone finalist for its superintendent position. Crawford is the superintendent of West ISD, a position he has held for six years. Crawford oversaw the recovery of the district’s school system after the fertilizer plant explosion that rocked the central Texas town in 2013. view article

Houston: HISD names new chief of high schools

Harrison A. Peters was named this week as chief high school officer for Houston ISD. The position oversees 51 campuses with a combined enrollment of nearly 50,000 students. Peters has more than 15 years of experience as a teacher, principal, and administrator. In his new role, Peters and a team of school support officers and principals will focus on increasing student outcomes, expanding academic rigor and connecting students to experiences that support their career and college goals. view article

Sharyland school board, administration actions questioned

Former Sharyland ISD Board Member, Virginia Townsend said it has been 21 years since she has listened in on a Sharyland ISD regular meeting. During the public comments portion of this month’s regular meeting, Townsend told board members she did not like the way discussions were being conducted. A group of community members came to show support for Townsend and three other citizens participating in the public comments portion of the regular meeting. view article

Despite Campaign Focus, Texas Pre-K Won’t Likely Expand Soon

Over half of Texas children between the ages of three and four don't go to preschool, according to the annual Kids Count report released this week from the Annie E. Casey Foundation. Texas schools offer free pre-K programs to 4-year-olds, but primarily only offer programs for 3-year-olds on a tuition basis. Those low numbers and access have drawn scrutiny from education advocates, lawmakers and even the candidates running for governor. view article

Huffman weighed shutting down embattled Tennessee Virtual Academy

In a standoff over a struggling statewide cyber school, Tennessee Education Commissioner Kevin Huffman says he weighed pulling the plug altogether. view article

Socorro: SISD: School year begins with new Mission Ridge Elementary School in Sparks area.

Starting a new school year at a new campus is like opening a new box of crayons said Principal Rosy Vega-Barrio of Mission Ridge Elementary School. Everything is fresh, crisp and the colors pop. view article

Odessa: ECISD still looking for teachers, employees

The Ector County Independent School District has about a month before classes begin in the district. District officials need all the time they can get to fill the open positions they have inside and outside the classroom. The district has 130 openings for teacher positions. view article

Motions seek to blame city of West for devastating explosion

Two of four fertilizer manufacturers or suppliers named as defendants in the massive West explosion litigation are seeking to blame the city of West and its volunteer firefighters for the disaster. view article

Deficit thinking: Longview ISD must take steps to cut its spending

The chief financial officer of any organization is charged with managing risk and keeping the enterprise in sound operating condition. That person must be forward-thinking, considering reasonable possibilities within any budget year and beyond. view article

Police: Connally ISD vandals identified, 1 arrested

Connally ISD PD says they have identified all three suspects from Tuesday morning's break-in and vandalism of two Connally ISD schools. One man has been arrested in connection with the case. view article

El Paso: EPISD offering returning students online registration

EPISD spokeswoman Melissa Martinez said EPISD is dedicated to "becoming the district of choice." Online registration opened Thursday for middle and high school students. Wednesday, elementary students will get the green light to sign up online. The first day for students in EPISD is Aug. 25th. Ysleta begins the same day. Socorro begins Monday. view article

Port Arthur: PAISD accepts TEA reprieve from 2014-2015 testing standards

PORT ARTHUR — The Port Arthur Independent School District Board of Trustees accepted an offer, Thursday, from the Texas Education Agency to suspend portions of standardized testing standards, which prevent a student from advancing to the next grade if they do not meet sufficient academic achievement, for the 2014-2015 school year. - See more at: http://www.panews.com/local/x197371677/PAISD-accepts-TEA-reprieve-from-2014-2015-testing-standards#sthash.C3fEU8Qq.dpuf view article

Cove ISD commended for financial responsibility

COPPERAS COVE — In a time of budget cuts and major reductions in federal Impact Aid to school districts across the country, the Copperas Cove Independent School District was recognized with top honors for the way it handles its finances. view article

Shirts will be bought back by BISD

Parents who acted fast to purchase clothing to conform with the Burleson ISD's elementary dress code won't be left on the hook after district officials learned the website posting was errant. "Administration was reviewing the dress code and we posted a version that had not been approved," said Victoria Johnson, the BISD's director of communications. "We regret any inconvenience experienced by BISD families who may have followed the draft dress code guidelines that were inadvertently posted last week."  view article

Sugar Land teacher accused of child porn possession

A Sugar Land teacher is accused of having child pornography on his computer, according to the FBI. view article

Sounding Off: McKinney readers tell us if the migrant children will have an impact in their community

RAISE YOUR VOICE: Share your own opinion online atdallasnews.com/sendletters. Sign up for Sounding Off or submit a guest column (and include your full name and contact information) by visiting dallasnews.com/voices. What do you think of Dallas County’s plan to house 2,000 migrant children fleeing violence in Honduras, El Salvador and Guatemala? Will it have an impact on your community? view article

New Blocker Middle School will be ready for students

Although it may be hard to tell from the outside, the new Blocker Middle School in Texas City ISD will be fully operational for the first day of school Aug. 25. view article