Education

Texas School Finance Trial Goes For Round Two

Morgan Smith, Texas Tribune — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:41:51 +0000

State district court Judge John Dietz likened the state's school finance case to the soap opera As The World Turns when he opened Wednesday's hearing on whether to reconsider evidence in the trial that concluded in February.

He drew the comparison not because of the trial's drama but because of its longevity.

Are Schools Investing in Education Technology Properly?

Kate McGee, KUT News — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 10:47:00 +0000

This week the Eanes School District is holding a conference called iPadpalooza.

Every child in the district has an iPad and schools want to find ways to use them better.

The conference comes as the Center for American Progress released a study that says states don’t know how much investments like these in education technology are actually helping students.

Why Passing the STAAR Exam Will Get Tougher, Starting Next Year

Kate McGee, KUT News — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 14:35:00 +0000

STAAR test results released last week show minimal gains compared to 2012. It was the second year students took the new standardized tests, which teachers and administrators say are more rigorous.

Westlake Graduate Honored in DC as Presidential Scholar

Laura Rice, KUT News — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 10:36:27 +0000

Less than one percent of high school seniors across the country are named National Merit Scholars. Less than one-tenth of one percent of students who take the ACT, score a perfect 36. And just four high school seniors from Texas were recognized as Presidential Scholars on Sunday.

Keyur Mehta – a recent Westlake grad – has earned all of these honors and more. He stopped by KUT before his trip to Washington, D.C.

Now Hiring: Inaugural Dean for UT's New Medical School

Syeda Hasan — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 21:01:06 +0000

Calling all big shots: University of Texas administrators have begun the search for the inaugural dean of the Dell Medical School, hoping to fill the office by early next year.

UT released a 21-page document Monday detailing the necessary qualifications for applicants. The document describes the ideal candidate as an inspiring “leader among leaders,” comfortable with serving in the public eye and representing the school to local media and community leaders.

Some Austin Schools Respond to Increasing Asian Population

Kate McGee, KUT News — Fri, 14 Jun 2013 13:28:52 +0000

The City of Austin estimates Asians and Asian-Americans will exceed the number of African-Americans in the city over next several years, based on new numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau.

Overall, the school district reaches out to non-English speaking parents and students by providing translators and handouts printed in multiple languages.

Austin Schools Respond to Asian Influx

Kate McGee, KUT News — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 23:33:22 +0000

Asians and Asian-Americans will outnumber African-Americans in Austin over next several years, according to city estimates based on new numbers from the U.S. Census Bureau. The Austin Independent School District, where students speak 86 languages, is working to accommodate changing demographics.

Central Texas Schools Fight 'Summer Melt'

Kate McGee, KUT News — Thu, 13 Jun 2013 11:00:00 +0000

For many students, that summer between high school graduation and the first year of college is one of anticipation and excitement.

But for others, it can present roadblocks that can lead students to not attend college in the fall.

What is AISD's Future Plan for Portable Classrooms?

Kate McGee, KUT News — Wed, 12 Jun 2013 11:54:23 +0000

For at least fifty years, the Austin Independent School District has used portable classrooms as a way to relieve overcrowding. Yesterday, KUT reported more than half of the nearly 650 portables are over 25 years old – some are more than 50 years old. Many teachers and parents say portables conditions are poor.

But what – if anything – can the school district can do about it?

HB 5 Passes, but Number of High-Stakes Tests? Still High

Luke Quinton — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 22:26:00 +0000

When Gov. Rick Perry signed House Bill 5 this week, it signaled that the waves of complaints from parents opposed to high stakes testing, had caught hold. But one irony is that most people — even most journalists — still don’t know the actual number of test students take.

Study: Students Miss School Mostly Due to Illness

Ann Choi — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 21:56:33 +0000

A study shows Central Texas students miss more school mostly because of illness. This study, done by a non-profit research group, E3 Alliance, surveyed nine schools in Austin area since 2011.

The group argues that schools should track the reasons why students miss school. All Texas schools are required to record students' attendance to receive state reimbursement, but they are not mandated to document the specific reasons for the absence. Excessive absences could especially affect Central Texas because the study indicates that students in this area missed more school days than the state average.

AISD STAAR Scores Inch Up – Still Well Below Future Standards

Mone Miller — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 13:19:47 +0000

The Austin Independent School District saw minimal gains on this year’s STAAR tests compared to last year.

Reading, math, science and social studies passage rates each increased by three percentage points from the previous year. Students showed the best results in reading with 79 percent passing in all demographics – including racial minorities and the economically disadvantaged.

60 Percent of AISD's Portable Classrooms At Least 25 Years Old

Kate McGee, KUT News — Tue, 11 Jun 2013 11:22:56 +0000

This past school year, more than 86,000 students in the Austin Independent School District woke up and went to class each day. For a growing number of those children, their learning is happening inside portable classrooms.

AISD has almost 650 portable classrooms. The district bought most of them in the 1980's and 1990's. But dozens were purchased before that – some as early as 1952. Many teachers and parents say time is taking its toll on what was supposed to be a temporary solution to deal with overcrowding.

Now That 'Ink's Dry' on HB 5, Future of Texas Education Bill Secured

Veronica Zaragovia, KUT News — Mon, 10 Jun 2013 21:02:16 +0000

Speculation over a major overhaul of public education in Texas ended today when Gov. Rick Perry signed House Bill 5.

The measure drops required standardized exams, known as the STAAR tests, from 15 to 5.

Last Day of School Means No More Students at Allan Elementary Campus

Kate McGee, KUT News — Thu, 06 Jun 2013 12:05:00 +0000

Today is the first day of summer vacation, as the public school year came to a close yesterday in Austin. For students at IDEA Allan Elementary School, a charter school run by IDEA Public Schools, it was the last day of school at that campus. They’ll be leaving behind an empty building and taking with them millions of dollars of future district revenue.