Students are B.U.G.ging teachers at Long Elementary ... and getting rewarded
\n(Abilene Reporter-News © 02/03/2012) (Registration Required)\n
School is about more than just grades, agreed?\r\n\r\nThat's certainly the buzz at Long Elementary School.\r\n\r\nAt Long Elementary School, administrators have paired with ");
document.write("local Kiwanians to encourage improved behavior and citizenship among students through the B.U.G. program.\r\n\r\nBring Up Grades, or B.U.G., actually has little to do with grades or academic performance. Select students each six weeks are ...\n
Authorities reveal past complaint about LA teacher
\n(Austin American-Statesman © 02/03/2012)
Ex-official accused in $100,000 theft
\n(Austin KXAN (NBC) 36 © 02/03/2012)
SAN ANGELO, Texas (AP) ? A former business manager for a West Texas school district is accused of stealing more than $100,000 in school funds. \r\n\r\nThe Texas Department of Public Safety says 55-year-old Patty Smith was arrested on a second-degree felony theft charge and released from the McCulloch County Jail on $50,000 bond Tuesday. \r\n\r\nSmith, who worked for the Lohn Independent School District fo...");
document.write("\n
Grand jury indicts educator charged with improper relationship with student
\n(Beaumont KFDM (CBS) 6 © 02/03/2012)
JEFFERSON COUNTY - The Jefferson County grand jury has indicted a former Port Arthur Memorial High School employee accused of engaging in a sexual act with a teenage student in a car on the seawall. \r\n\r\nThe grand");
document.write(" jury indicted Jean Alexander Hardy, 57, on a charge of Improper Relationship between Educator and Student. If convicted of the 2nd Degree Felony, should could face 2-20 years in pris...\n
Testing has become a 'perversion,' Texas education chief Robert Scott says
\n(Fort Worth Star-Telegram © 02/03/2012) (Registration ");
document.write("Required)\n
Education Commissioner Robert Scott must feel a bit misunderstood. He's getting both praise and heavy criticism for railing about what's gone wrong with standardized testing in Texas public schools.It's not that he wasn't clear. It's just that some of his words were more memorable than others.In a span of just five days, Scott spoke out twice, very publicly, about the \"perversion\" that testing has...\n
Let's make new exams fair for students and schools
\n(Houston Chronicle © 02/03/2012) (Registration Required)\n
As parents who support the public schools and demand high educational standards from our children and our schools, we take issue with Bill Hammond's recent opinion piece about the new Texas STAAR accountability program (\"Let's make new exams count,\" Page B11, Jan. 24.)\r\n\r\nIn this first year of administration, our 9th grade students are being held accountable for state-i");
document.write("ssued end-of-course, or EOC,...\n
New standardized testing draws support and criticism
\n(Houston Chronicle © 02/03/2012) (Registration Required)\n
The Texas Association of Business joined the squabble over a new accountability system for students in public schools by purchasing a full-page ad in the Austin Am");
document.write("erican Statesman today in support of end-of-course requirements that will be phased in starting this spring.\nBill Hammond, President of Texas Association of Business\n\r\n\r\nThe ad urges school administrators, parents and legislators to stan...\n
College of Education receives grant to increase college readiness among students
\n(Lubbock Avalanche-Jou");
document.write("rnal © 02/03/2012)
College of Education gets readiness grant \r\n\r\nTexas Tech?s College of Education, in collaboration with the South Plains Closing the Gaps P-20 Council, was awarded a $200,000 grant recently from the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board.\r\n\r\nThe grant will fund outreach activities to promote a college-going culture in the region. The College of Education Project FUTURE program, which serves sixt...\n
School-funding conference urges activism
\n(San Antonio Express-News © 02/03/2012) (Registration Required)\n
Although the Texas Legislature isn't meeting this year to decide funding for public education, the statewide coalition named Save Texas Schools isn't taking a break from activism.\r\n\r\nMade up of parents, educators, students, business leaders and legislators, the group that wants more funding for public education is best known for attracting more than13,000 people");
document.write(" to the State Capitol last spring in...\n
Journalism Teacher Wants Student Growth
\n(Tyler Morning Telegraph © 02/03/2012)
As she teaches high school students the ins and outs of journalism, Mikyela Tedder wants more for them than just accolades — she wants to see them grow personally and academically. \r\n\r\n“It's not all ");
document.write("about winning,” the Lindale High School teacher said. “Winning is the byproduct. Doing better each week is to me success. I want them to be better each week at what they \r\ndo an...\n
Mexia ISD letter stirs controversy
\n(Waco KXXV (ABC) 25 © 02/03/2012)
By Noel Brennan\r\n\r\nMEXIA - A letter citing poor test scores of Afric");
document.write("an American students in one Mexia ISD school has a number of parents upset.\r\n\r\nKaren Primm's daughter is a fifth grade student at R.Q. Sims Intermediate School in Mexia. Primm remembers the day in mid-January when her 11 year-old brought home the letter and started asking questions.\r\n\r\n\"She said, 'what's this African A...\n
Ex-Calif. teacher in court on");
document.write(" molestation charges
\n(Amarillo Globe-News © 02/02/2012)
LOS ANGELES (AP) ? Bail for a former Los Angeles elementary school teacher has been raised to $23 million in a case where he's accused of taking bizarre photos of children in his classroom for a sexual thrill.\r\n\r\nMark Berndt, 61, appeared in court Wednesday to face allegations of committing lewd acts involving 23 boys and girls, ages 6 to 10, between 2008 and 2010. He could face life in prison if ...\n
Round Rock school board could reprimand trustee who released confidential information
\n(Austin American-Statesman © 02/02/2012) (Registration Required)\n
The Round Rock school board could take disciplinary action against one of its own tonight , according to an agenda posting, \"in response to release of information by a board member.\"\n\nDuring a public meeting in January, Round Rock Trustee Terri Romere was ");
document.write("identified as having forwarded an email concerning attendance zones from one parent to another parent without redacting the first parent's ema...\n
Max rewards good behavior
\n(Denton Record-Chronicle © 02/02/2012)
Max walks through the halls at Rivera Elementary School and children’s faces light up. \n\n &");
document.write("#8220;Hi Max. Hey Maxi,” some students and teachers call out to the nearly 3-year-old Australian shepherd. \n\n Others wave and smile. \n\n Every Monday and Friday, the nearly 90-pound dog walks the halls with school counselor Anne Ivy...\n
EPISD Administrators Address Potential District-Wide Cuts At Meeting<");
document.write("/b>
\n(El Paso KVIA (ABC) 7 © 02/02/2012)
EL PASO, Texas -- It was a brainstorming session born out of budget cut concerns.\n\nOn Wednesday evening, the El Paso Independent School District's top administrators joined parents, students and staff at Coronado High School to discuss district finances and future plans.\n\nThe meeting's organizer said some in the community were told to \"prepare for the worst\" when it came to the latest budget numb...\n
NFL Play 60 Kids Day gets them moving
\n(Gainesville Daily Register © 02/02/2012)
INDIANAPOLIS — \n Pittsburgh Steelers wide receiver Antonio Brown was basking in the relative anonymity Wednesday at the NFL Experience, goofing around with kids at one of the drill stations and signing autographs.\n\n\n\n Brown was caught flatfooted when a reporter asked him, "What’s the funniest thing a kid has said to you?" He didn’t have to wait long for an");
document.write(" answer.\n\n\n\n &...\n
HISD's Grier pledges to improve bilingual education
\n(Houston Chronicle © 02/02/2012) (Registration Required)\n
The statistic was so troubling that Houston schools Superintendent Terry Grier said he asked his data guru three times to check it.\n\nOnly 30 percent of the district's students w");
document.write("ith limited English skills graduate high school with their class - a rate that places HISD at the bottom of the state's largest districts.\n\nGrier pledged this week to improve how the district educates students whose native ...\n
Teachers seek special session to stop school cuts
\n(Houston Chronicle © 02/02/2012) (Regi");
document.write("stration Required)\n
Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin\n\n\nGov. Rick Perry should call Texas legislators back to the Capitol for a special session to spare more public school cuts next year now that the economic recovery is producing more revenue than expected, a teachers group said Wednesday.\n\n\nThe state ended the 2011 budget year with a $1.1 billion surplus, Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, noted and the current budget cycle is...\n
Student says principal used n-word
\n(Houston KPRC (NBC) 2 © 02/02/2012)
HOUSTON - \n \n\nThe Houston Independent School District has taken disciplinary action against a principal accused of calling a student the N-word.\n\nMarques Carter said it happened at Attucks Middle School in southeast Houston.? Carter told KPRC Local 2 that there was a food fight in the cafeteria and while the principal tried to get things under control, he laughed. \n\nCarter said that...\n
HISD Not Taking Chances when Firing Employees
\n(KRIV Fox (Houston) © 02/02/2012)
HOUSTON - Getting rid of employees used to be as simple as, ?You?re fired.? \n\nBut in this day and age of litigation, even firing a teacher can cost a school district thousands if the district does it wrong. \n\nThat's why, in the past two years, over 600 principals and ass");
document.write("istant principals at HISD have taken part in a seminar on how to document and create a paper trail. \n\nThere are some in HISD who ...\n
STAAR to replace TAKS test for Texas students
\n(Lubbock KCBD (NBC) 11 © 02/02/2012)
LUBBOCK, TX (KCBD) -\n \n\nStudents across the state will have to hit the books a little harder this spring. The");
document.write(" new State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness or STAAR will focus on making students college and career ready. The STAAR is replacing the TAKS. Third through ninth graders will be taking it. \n\nParents and students across the state have expressed concern because the questions wil...\n
MISD counselors have hands full with students needing to cope
\n(Midland Reporter-Telegraph © 02/02/2012)
As Midland teens continue to die by suicide, counselors at\nMidland schools are finding their offices full with students crying\nout for help and grieving the loss of a loved one.\n \n \n\nAlthough Ron Moss, MISD Student Development director, doesn't\nhave quantitative data on the number of students who have visited\nwith the counselors, he said the 21 counselors in secondary schools\ndea...\n
Mexico teacher denies locking boy in school
\n(New Braunfels Herald-Zeitung © 02/02/2012)
MONTERREY, Mexico (AP) ? A Mexican teacher is denying she locked a 7-year-old child inside a classroom for hours as punishment.\r\nTeacher Zulema Garza says it was an accident. She says she didn't realize the boy was still inside the classroom in the city of Monterrey when she locked the door and went home Monday.\r\nGarza spoke to TV Azteca on Wednesday, a few hours before s");
document.write("tate police officers took ...\n
Investigation: Overton Teacher Sent Home After Allegedly Assault On Student
\n(Tyler Morning Telegraph © 02/02/2012)
By KELLY GOOCH\nStaff Writer\n\nAn Overton High School algebra teacher is at home as police investigate her for allegedly assaulting a student.\n\n\nCaptain Clayton Taylor said the vict");
document.write("im, a 15-year-old boy, came in Wednesday morning with his parents and reported the assault.\n\nThe student alleged that on Monday, his algebra teacher threw a mechanical pencil, and it hit him on the lip.\n\nThe pencil left a...\n
DISD reinstates teacher who sent testy e-mail
\n(Dallas WFAA (ABC) 8 © 02/01/2012)
DALLAS — The Dalla");
document.write("s Independent School District has reinstated a teacher four days after he was placed on leave after sending a critical e-mail to a school board member.\n\n\nJoseph Drake said he will return to his fourth grade classroom at Central Elementary School on Wednesday morning.\n\n\n"It's going to be good to see their faces and get back into the daily grind," Drake said.\n\n\nThe ...\n
11-Year-Old Girl Killed While Crossing Street Near School
\n(El Paso KVIA (ABC) 7 © 02/01/2012)
An 11-year-old girl is dead after a truck hit her near an East El Paso elementary school according to the El Paso Police Department.\n\nThe pedestrian wreck happened at around 4:30 p.m. Tuesday at the intersection of Lee Blvd. and Edgemere in East El Paso, steps away from Bill Sybert Elementary School.\n\nPolice said three kids were attempting the cross the street while a \"Do Not Walk\" sign was up. Tw...\n
Students In McKinney Classroom Getting 3D Education
\n(Ft. Worth KTVT (CBS) 11 © 02/01/2012)
McKINNEY (CBSDFW.COM) – A new high-tech way of teaching is helping pre-K kids in McKinney learn how to read.\n \n\n\nLawson Early Childhood Center is using interactive, 3-D technology to transform traditional teaching.\n\n\n“I think this is a great way for kids to learn,” said li");
document.write("brarian Holly Hammonds. “With this the kids are so engaged.”\n\n\nEver since Lawson started using th...\n
Middle-schooler says teacher pushed her
\n(Galveston Daily News © 02/01/2012)
LA MARQUE —?A teacher at La Marque Independent School District has been placed on administrative leave while the district’s polic");
document.write("e department looks into an allegation the teacher assaulted a middle school student.\n\nThe incident happened Monday, school district’s spokeswoman Margret Simon said. \n\n“From my understanding, the teacher stated that the student was in her space,&r...\n
8 high school students taken to hospital
\n(Houston KPRC (NBC) 2 © 02/01/2012");
document.write(")
CLEVELAND, Texas - \n More than a dozen students at a Liberty County high school were treated Tuesday after they appeared to be under the influence of an unknown substance.Cleveland Independent School District officials said 16 students in grades 9 through 12 at Cleveland High School, 1600 East Houston Street, began vomiting, stumbling around and appeared to be disoriented about 1 p....\n
\n(Houston KPRC (NBC) 2 © 02/01/2012)
LOS ANGELES (CNN) - \n \n\nA Los Angeles elementary school teacher allegedly took bondage photos of more than two dozen students in his classroom, including some with suspected semen-filled spoons at their mouths, investigators said Tuesday.\n\nThe young students \"didn't realize they were victimized,\" Los Angeles County Sheriff's Sgt. Dan Scott told CNN Tuesday.\n\n\"They thought they were ...\n
Socorro ISD employee accused of inappropriate conduct with student
\n(KFOXTV.com © 02/01/2012)
SOCORRO, Texas — \n\nSocorro Police and Socorro Independent School District have confirmed a teacher's aide is on administrative leave after allegations surfaced of inappropriate conduct between the employee and a student.\n\n\"We can't disclose much");
document.write(" right now because of the nature of the crime and the age of the victim,\" said David Garcia, spokesman for Socorro Police. \"Something this serious th...\n
HISD Ranks 3rd in Breakfast Participation
\n(KRIV Fox (Houston) © 02/01/2012)
HOUSTON - Houston schools are near the top of their game when it comes to starting the day off right.");
document.write(" \n\nThe Food Research and Action Center, a food advocacy group, ranked the Houston Independent School District third in the nation for providing eligible children with a healthy breakfast. \n\nThose in the top 10 of FRAC?s list serve a healthy breakfast free-of-charge, but only the Houston, Detroit an...\n
Fort Bend ISD considers swapping some textbooks for iPads
\n(KTRK 13 News © 02/01/2012)
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- \nOut with the old and in with the new technology. One Fort Bend school district could be trading in its textbooks for iPads. But it's not a cheap transition and in a district that's been forced to lay off teachers, many are asking if this is smart spending. \n\n\nRelated ContentMore: Got a story idea? Let us know! \n\n If approved, this larger project would be used to boost scienc...\n
TEA Opens Investigation into Andrews Teacher
\n(Midland KWES (NBC) 9 © 02/01/2012)
Staff Report\nNewsWest 9\n\nANDREWS - New Information in a story NewsWest 9 first broke. \n\nThe Texas Education Agency has opened an investigation into Terri Ragland, the Special Education Teacher at Clearfork Elementary, in Andrews. \n\nRagland is accused of abuse within the classroom. This comes after a parent claims she recorded 14 hours of audio in Ragland's cla");
document.write("ssroom. &...\n
Teachers rally at administration building
\n(Odessa American © 02/01/2012)
Ector County Independent School District employees rallied Tuesday afternoon to voice their concerns to administration.\n\nThe rally, which started at 4:30 p.m., was spread by word of mouth and email among \n\nTeachers in Ector County Independ");
document.write("ent School District want to be heard and on Tuesday, some of them attended a rally in front of administration offices to voice their concerns.\n\n The rally,...\n
Texas Schools Chief: Testing Has Gone Too Far
\n(Texas Tribune © 02/01/2012)
Texas Education Agency Commissioner Robert Scott said today that the state testing system ");
document.write("has become a \"perversion of its original intent\" and that he was looking forward to \"reeling it back in.\"\n\nAddressing 4,000 school officials at the Texas Association of School Administrators' annual midwinter conference, Scott said that he believed testing was \"good for some things,\" but that in Texas it has ...\n
Officials, parents concerned about new tests");
document.write("
\n(Amarillo Globe-News © 01/31/2012)
Parents, school and business leaders ? and even an ex-lawmaker who once voted for it ? are expressing alarm about new, more-rigorous standardized testing for Texas schoolchildren while teachers in Amarillo are struggling to prepare their students for the tests and cover required lessons.\n\n?I voted for it, but I believe it?s improper that Austin determine the criteria for giving a student a GPA,? s...\n
Students raising awareness for teen dating violence awareness month
\n(Austin American-Statesman © 01/31/2012) (Registration Required)\n
The Travis County sheriff's office has teamed up with six area school districts to raise awareness of teen dating violence.\n\nAthletes for the Austin, Del Valle, Eanes and other school districts will be wearing purple shoelaces during games in February, and announcements will be made during the events t");
document.write("o focus attention on the initiative. The Lake Travis, Manor and Pflugerville school districts, al...\n
AISD lifts financial exigency order
\n(Austin KVUE (ABC) 24 © 01/31/2012)
AUSTIN -- The Austin Independent School District board took the first step Monday evening towards putting raises back on the table for the district's teacher");
document.write("s.\n\nSuperintendent Meria Carstarphen informed school board members that Austin schools were no longer under a financial emergency due to the measures the district took a little more than a year ago.\n\nThe school district cut more than 1,100 pos...\n
8,000+ classrooms exceed size limit
\n(Austin KXAN (NBC) 36 © 01/31/2012)
AUSTIN (KXA");
document.write("N) - The Texas Education Agency has approved school districts' requests to exceed the state's standard 22-student elementary school class limit in at least 8,243 classrooms during the 2011-12 school year, according to TEA data. \n \nThe extraordinarily high number of waivers is largely a consequence of the Legislature's decision to cut support for public education by $5.4 billion. \n\nDuri...\n
Not all Central TX teaching jobs safe
\n(Austin KXAN (NBC) 36 © 01/31/2012)
AUSTIN (KXAN) - Exactly one year ago, the Austin school district announced plans to drastically downsize. In the beginning stages, administrators said nearly 500 teachers would lose their jobs. In the end, more than 1,100 positions -- from the classroom to central office -- were cut. \n\nAs promised, Monday night the superintendent will be following through with her promise to teachers and the commu...\n
DISD teacher on leave after sending critical e-mail
\n(Dallas WFAA (ABC) 8 © 01/31/2012)
DALLAS — A Dallas ISD teacher remains on administrative leave after sending a critical e-mail to a school board member.\n\n\n\n\n\nTrustee Edwin Flores spoke out for the first time about the controversy Monday afternoon after he was confronted by News 8 at a reading event. Flores admitted he saw the e");
document.write("-mail and then forwarded it to the district’s administration office. \n\n\n\n\n\n"Those are a...\n
Fort Worth mayor looking forward to working with new superintendent
\n(Fort Worth Star-Telegram © 01/31/2012) (Registration Required)\n
Mayor Betsy Price and interim superintendent Walter Dansby met up last");
document.write(" week to discuss various ways the two can increase partnerships between the city and Fort Worth school district, such as joint efforts for parks and recreational needs or training programs for students. \n\nPrice told the Star-Telegram that she's excited Dansby was named the sole finalist to be the next schools superint...\n
Fort Worth school trustees file");
document.write(" campaign reports
\n(Fort Worth Star-Telegram © 01/31/2012) (Registration Required)\n
School board members filed the required campaign finance reports this month, which can be found here.\n\nBoard vice president Juan Rangel reported no contributions or expenditures, and T.A. Sims did not file a report. Carlos Vasquez, who is running for state representative, reported having $32,000 in outstanding campaign loans.\n\nAnn Sutherland reported $25,900 in outstanding loans and $5,640 in cont...\n
School leaders say students feeling impact of state budget cuts
\n(Fort Worth Star-Telegram © 01/31/2012) (Registration Required)\n
Texas school district superintendents say that state budget cuts are hindering their ability to educate children as a result of teacher layoffs, bigger class sizes and fewer services for students who need academic help, according");
document.write(" to a recently released survey.Texas AFT, an affiliate of the American Federation of Teachers, sent surveys to 1,051 Texas superintendents and got responses from 241 leade...\n
DISD Teacher Calls for \"Sick-Out\"
\n(Ft. Worth KXAS (NBC) 5 © 01/31/2012)
An anonymous teacher is calling for co-workers in the Dallas Independent School Dis");
document.write("trict to call in sick on Feb. 29.\n \n \n \n \n \n \n \n The DISD Board of Trustees voted Thursday night to extend teachers' workdays by 45 minutes without adding pay.\n \n \n \n \n ...\n
HISD appoints new chief high school officer<");
document.write("/font>
\n(Houston Business Journal © 01/31/2012)
Orlando Riddick\n \n\n\n\n\n\n\n \n\nThe Houston Independent School District said Jan. 30 that Orlando Riddick will join the district as its chief high school officer in March.\n\n\nFormerly director of high school operations at the Austin Independent School District, Riddick has more than 10 years of education experience in Texas. He has worked at school districts in Dallas, Fort Worth and S...\n
Classes turn bilingual students into biliterate ones
\n(Houston Chronicle © 01/31/2012) (Registration Required)\n
There is no escaping Spanish inside Room 510.\n\nThe classroom walls explode with vibrant posters and banners welcoming students to class (Bienvenidos), illustrating the cuisine of Spanish-speaking countries (Paella, Salsa de Mole, Cuy Picante), and giving translations for common classroom objects such as pencil sha");
document.write("rpeners (el sacapuntas).\n\nBut this is no ordinary Spanish class, and these eighth-gra...\n
Texas gets a 'C' for school science courses
\n(Houston Chronicle © 01/31/2012) (Registration Required)\n
AUSTIN - Texas public school science courses \"pay lip service\" to critical content and largely ignore evolution in");
document.write(" the middle grades, according to a national education foundation study that gives the state of Texas an overall \"C\" for science education.\n\nThe average grade for Texas science curriculum standards by the Thomas B. Fordham Institute in a national report card Tuesday represents a step up...\n
Dekaney High School cracks down on tardy students after brawl
\n(Houston KHOU (CBS) 11 © 01/31/2012)
HOUSTON – More than 200 Dekaney High School students who were tardy Monday spent the day out of class and inside the gym after a change in the school's rules.\n\n\nThe students had fair warning. On Sunday night school administrators delivered in a phone message and email to parents and guardians that there were big changes to the tardy rules.\n\n\nThe students were told to get to class on ti...\n
Online K-12 schooling on the rise
\n(Houston KHOU (CBS) 11 © 01/31/2012)
Computers have long had a place in many school classrooms, but what about learning online completely? The number of full-time online K through 12 students is growing.\n\nKaterina Christhilf is training to become a ballerina. She dances four days a week, up to eight hours on Fridays, when most seventh graders would be at school. That's why Katerina goes to school online.\n\n"Sometimes I'll stu");
document.write("dy i...\n
Teacher's aide gets probation for breaking student's arm
\n(KTRK 13 News © 01/31/2012)
HOUSTON (KTRK) -- \nA teachers aide accused of breaking a special needs student's arm on Monday received two years probation. \n\n\nRelated ContentStory: School investigated over girl's broken armMore: Got a story idea? Let us know! \n\n I");
document.write("n January of last year, Tameria Clark's mother said her daughter's arm was broken at the Harris County ABC West Campus. Tameria Clark is 15 but has the mind of a s...\n
Lubbock, South Plains have lower teacher salaries than most parts of the state
\n(Lubbock Avalanche-Journal © 01/31/2012)
Teachers in Lubbock and the surrounding reg");
document.write("ion have smaller paychecks, generally, than their counterparts in most other parts of the state.\r\n\r\nRegion 17, based in Lubbock with 20 counties and 57 school districts under its wing, is No. 17 ? $44,026 a year ? for teacher salaries among the 20 education service centers in the state, a recent survey of the Texas Association of School Boards shows.\r\n\r\nT...\n
Teac");
document.write("hing writing to the tweeting, Facebook generation can be a challenge
\n(Midland Reporter-Telegraph © 01/31/2012)
OMG! LOL! BTW! IDK! JK! WT..., well, you get the picture. But,\nyou may be asking, what's the point? As a seventh-grade English\nteacher, I find myself facing a dilemma that does not have me\nrolling on the floor laughing (that's ROFL, for the uninitiated):\nteaching writing to the emoticon generation.\n \n \n\nIn just a few weeks, seventh-graders across Texas will take\ntheir state-manda...\n
Former SAISD employee accused of stealing district money
\n(San Antonio Express-News © 01/31/2012) (Registration Required)\n
A former San Antonio Independent School District employee is free on bail after he was accused of stealing money from the district's day care center and GED program. \n\nAlbert Trujillo, 41, was released on Saturday after posting $5,00");
document.write("0 bail, according to Bexar County records. He faces one count of misapplication of fiduciary property. \n\nHe resigned Friday from SAISD, where he had been employed sinc...\n
Northside ISD aims to name superintendent finalist in May
\n(San Antonio Express-News © 01/31/2012) (Registration Required)\n
Northside I");
document.write("SD Superintendent John Folks speaks about budget cuts as Karen Freeman, who is now board president, listens during a meeting on April 5, 2011. LISA KRANTZ/lkrantz@express-news.net\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nNorthside Independent School District trustees set a timeline on Friday for naming a superintendent finalist by May 1.\n\n\nEarlier this month, trustees unanimously selected Thompson & Horton LLP to co...\n
AISD puts federal poverty money into public relations, multicultural outreach
\n(Austin American-Statesman © 01/30/2012) (Registration Required)\n
The Austin school district has overhauled its communications apparatus, giving it a new name Department of Public Relations and Multicultural Outreach a new mission and a new funding source.\n\nThe department — which has a staff of 23 and a 2011-12 budget of about $2 million, including $1.4 million for salaries — is now being funded with about $192,000 of");
document.write(" Title I money, federal funds gi...\n
Austin's school district ponders how to spend $16 million in left over bond money
\n(Austin KLBJ 590 AM © 01/30/2012)
Newsroom\n \n1/30/2012\n \n \n\n \n\n ");
document.write(" \n \n\nThe Austin School board meeting should draw a crowd tonight as two public hearings are scheduled one on how to spend leftover bond money.\nThe district wants...\n
Occupy Austin to protest school district
\n(Austin KVUE (ABC) 24 © 01/30/2012)
AUSTIN -- Occupy Austi");
document.write("n protesters say they plan to occupy Austin ISD Monday night.\n\n\nThe protesters' Twitter account stated over the weekend that the group plans to march to the Austin ISD headquarters while the district's board discusses an annual report at 7:20 p.m.\n\n\nIt is not clear yet why the protesters are targeting the school district....\n
Texas AFL-CIO endorses Sadle");
document.write("r for U.S. Senate
\n(Dallas Morning News © 01/30/2012) (Registration Required)\n
The state's premier labor group endorsed Paul Sadler for U.S. Senate on Sunday.\r\n\r\nThe biennial convention of the Texas AFL-CIO Committee on Public Education put its weight behind Sadler, a Democrat, as the best choice to succeed retiring Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison, a Republican. The labor federation and its regional councils represent about 220,000 union members. Democrats haven't won statewide in...\n
Former Bastrop ISD coach arrested for relationship with student
\n(Austin News 8 © 01/29/2012)
Bastrop Independent School District says it's investigating a former teacher accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a student.\n\nAccording to a letter sent to parents last week, the district has accepted the immediate resignation of a member of the school's softball coaching staff.");
document.write(" The district said it was unaware of the allegations until after the teacher had resigned.\n\nThe teacher h...\n
How long should teachers work?
\n(Dallas Morning News © 01/29/2012) (Registration Required)\n
Only eight hours ...\n\nRe: \"Extending teacher day proposed -- No raise would come with 8-hour day; group p");
document.write("rotests lack of notice,\" Thursday news story.\n\n\"We're going to pay for eight hours, we're going to get eight hours,\" trustee Edwin Flores said.\n\nI would like to express my appreciation to Flores and the Dallas school board for their decision to reduce my workday to just eight hours. Finally, I ...\n
School financing resolution might take years
\n
AUSTIN ? One thing Texas legislators learned long ago, and they are seeing it again with the yearlong redistricting battle, is lawsuits against the state can take a long time. \r\n\r\nFour school funding lawsuits filed separately since mid-October won?t be the exception.\r\n\r\n?This may take as long as three years,? said veteran state Rep. John Smithee, R-Amarillo, who was already a member of the Legisla...\n
Teachers leave to teach their way
\n(Odessa American © 01/29/2012)
Randy and Gloria McGuire could hardly contain their enthusiasm as they stood in a modest church youth room explaining plans to transform the room to a larger Montessori classroom.\n\n“It’s going to be beautiful and completely open,” Randy said.\n\nThe married couple has made plans to co-operate and teach the private school, the Montessori Middle School of Odessa, out of their church,...\n
More kids packed into classrooms
\n(San Antonio Express-News © 01/29/2012) (Registration Required)\n
It's time to write winter poems in Meghan Myers' fourth-grade class, but not everyone can see the instructions projected on the screen.\r\n\r\nAs her class grew from 21 students last year to 24 this year, Myers sq");
document.write("ueezed in more desks. In the rear of the Huebner Elementary class, a couple of students squint at the screen and arch their necks to see around others' heads before dragging chairs toward the...\n
Questions, criticisms surround new state academic STAAR test
\n(Waco Tribune-Herald © 01/29/2012) (Registration Required)<");
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Local educators agree that the upcoming STAAR test is a better measure of what Texas students should be learning than the old TAKS test, but some question whether STAAR is ready for its debut.\r\n\r\nThis spring, students across the state will take the first round of the new state test, the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness. STAAR, Texas’s fifth generation of state tests, is repl...\n
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document.write("font style=\"font-family: Arial; font-size: 8pt;\">Ensuring quality motivates teacher contract terms in Texas
\n(Abilene Reporter-News © 01/28/2012) (Registration Required)\n
The days in which an ineffective educator was able to stay in the classroom despite shortcomings steadily have changed in the past five years, according to a report by The Associated Press.\n\nMultiple states were weakening their long-held tenure protections to gain flexibility to fire underperforming teachers, according to analysis made by the National Council on Teac");
document.write("her Quality, a policy and resea...\n
Oil wrestling brings suspension for Florence teacher
\n(Austin KVUE (ABC) 24 © 01/28/2012)
FLORENCE, Texas -- Some call it competition, others entertainment, and the title of the YouTube video calls it like it is -- women's oil wrestling. \n\n\n\n\n\n"It's actually clean fun except it's in baby oi");
document.write("l," said Hardtails Bar and Grill owner Martha Edwards. \n\n\n\n\n\nFor the past four months the event has drawn hundreds to Hardtails in Georgetown. \n\n\n\n\n\n"We have different people...\n
Editorial: Wanted: an innovator to nudge DISD out of its comfort zone
\n(Dallas Morning News © 01/28/2012) (Registratio");
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In the realm of innovation, the Dallas Independent School District generally has been content to be a follower.\r\n\r\nPockets of creative reforms are evident within the district, but they are more the exception than the rule. No one would accuse DISD of being bold or leading the way in educational innovations.\r\n\r\nHiring a new superintendent offers the chance to change that. The status quo has produce...\n
Northside employee quits amid gun probe
\n(San Antonio Express-News © 01/28/2012) (Registration Required)\n
A Northside Independent School District transportation employee resigned Friday after the district launched an investigation into whether he had used district equipment to sell firearms from his vehicle.\n\nOn Jan. 18, the district received a tip alleging that North Transportation Station assistant manager Paul Fullem, 63, used his district computer and phone to sell firea");
document.write("rms from his vehicle parked...\n
Abilene, Big Country districts say their teachers work more than enough hours each school day
\n(Abilene Reporter-News © 01/27/2012) (Registration Required)\n
As the Dallas ISD board of trustees planned to vote Thursday to extend the teacher workday by 45 minutes, representati");
document.write("ves of Abilene and Big Country school districts said there are no plans to add hours to their teachers' workload.\n\nThis is because many Big Country educators, school officials say, already are working several hours weekly without compensation to fulfill ever-increasing academic exp...\n
AISD continues to fight student dropout problem
\n(Amarillo");
document.write(" KVII (ABC) 7 © 01/27/2012)
Emily Griffin is a reporter for Pronews 7.read more ?\n \n \n \n Friend Emily\n Follow Us\n Contact Emily\n Emily's feed \n \n \n\n \n \n \n \n \n \n 0 \n \n \n \n Read more: Local, Education, Community, News, Amarillo, State, Texas, Student Dropout, Dropout, High School Dropout, Amarillo Independent School...\n
Texas education officials decry 'over-testing' in public schools
\n(Austin American-Statesman © 01/27/2012) (Registration Required)\n
State Board of Education members pressed the Texas education commissioner on Thursday about whether an abundance of high-stakes standardized testing is warping classroom teaching to ensure students spend more time preparing for the exams then actual learning.\n\nRobert Scott, head of the Texas Education Agency, responded that hav");
document.write("ing kids cram is \"a perversion of what's intended\" and that tests are s...\n
High school students get registered to vote
\n(Brownsville Herald © 01/27/2012)
HARLINGEN — Harlingen High School senior Edgar Chacon recently renewed his driver’s license and was asked if he wanted to register to vote. He declined because he th");
document.write("ought it was going to be complicated.\n\nHe learned otherwise when the school district held voter registration rallies on Jan. 20 and again on Monday at Harlingen High and Harlingen High School South.\n\nChacon was one of 491 h...\n
Dallas ISD to close 11 schools, layoff 177, extend teacher hours
\n(Dallas WFAA (ABC) 8 © 01/27/2012)
DAL");
document.write("LAS - After a raucous meeting lasting more than four hours with police intervention, Dallas ISD trustees voted to close 11 elementary schools, which will result in 177 layoffs of full-time employees.\n\n\n\n\n\nIn a separate vote, the board voted to extend teachers' work days by 45 minutes, without compensating them for it.\n\n\n\n\n\nEven though it was in the chilly outside as protesters marched against b...\n