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October 2007 |
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Texas
students outperform national average
on NAEP math!
AUSTIN - Texas students outperformed the
national average on the fourth and eighth
grade 2007 National Assessment of
Educational Progress (NAEP) mathematics
exams and matched the national average on
the fourth and eighth grade reading results.
However, when the scores are examined by
ethnic groups, Texas students in all major
groups outpaced students in the same student
groups across the country on both the NAEP
mathematics and reading tests at both grade
levels.
In addition, economically disadvantaged
fourth-grade students in Texas achieved
higher average scale scores on the reading
exam compared to the national average. At
grade 8, economically disadvantaged students
achieved higher average scale scores than
the equivalent national average in reading,
and both economically disadvantaged and
English language learners in Texas outpaced
students in the same student groups across
the country on the math exam.
The NAEP is known as the nation's report
card because it is the only assessment test
given to students of all academic levels in
all states.
press release
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Dropout definition demystified
The subject of dropouts has captured much of
the debate about our public schools over the
last few decades. Much of that debate, and
the widespread confusion over the subject,
has been driven by the multitude of
definitions and calculations of the dropout
rate.
Conforming to a more uniform standard for
purposes of comparison with other states, as
well as gaining a more accurate assessment
of the problem, the State of Texas elected
to adopt the federal definition established
by the National Center for Education
Statistics (NCES). This new definition took
effect with data for the 2005-2006 school
year.
The dropout rate issue is much more complex
than a simple calculation of those who
graduate and those who do not. According to
NCES, a dropout is a student who is enrolled
in public school in grades 7-12, does not
return to public school the following fall,
is not expelled, and does not graduate,
receive a GED, continue school outside the
public school system, begin college, or die.
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Friend of the Year Award Ceremony and
Reception - November 1, 2007
Tom Frost, Senior Chairman of Frost
Bank, has demonstrated a legacy of
support for public education in Texas
and Friends of Texas Public Schools is
proudly honoring him for that commitment
as its 3rd Annual Texas
Public Schools Friend of the
Year.
Frost enthusiastically accepted the
honor and invitation to attend a
reception that will celebrate his many
contributions to public education, as
well as the collective achievements of
Texas public school educators and
students. The reception is scheduled for
Thursday, November 1st, 5:30 p.m.
to 8:00 p.m. at the Pearl Brewery
Stables in San Antonio. For more
details, table sponsorship information
or ticket sales please contact Brandie
Cleaver at
brandie@fotps.org.
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This month's featured sponsor
HillCo Partners is an Austin-based
governmental relations and consulting firm.
This full service, independent lobby firm
assists clients with strategic planning to
achieve intermediate and long-term goals.
The firm is comprised of twelve
knowledgeable professionals, each of whom
possess an in-depth understanding of Texas'
political and public policy processes.
HillCo Partners offers a unique combination
of resources that reflects the expertise of
the lobby team. |
Hands-On Heroes are
educators and volunteers who go the
extra milego to provide the next
generation of Texans a bright and
promising future. These remarkable
people touch the lives of students and
parents in Texas schools every day.
Hands-On Heroes are all around us, but
too often go unnoticed.
Who's a Hands-On Hero? You decide.
Nominate someone who makes a difference
in your community and your schools by
telling us their story. Help us
celebrate the very best of Texas.
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Myth of the month
Source: "Debunking Seven Myths About
Public Education" byMolly A. Hunter and
Matthew Samberg
Myth #3: Private and Charter Schools are
Educating Kids Better
Private and charter schools do, on average,
no better job of educating children than
public schools, and they sometimes do a
worse job. NAEP scores of private school
students are no better than those of public
school students, after correcting for
socio-economic background. The "benefits" of
private schools may be nothing more than the
benefits of attending schools with students
from predominantly affluent backgrounds.
Stories of high-performing charter schools
are frequently provided without context. At
some charter schools, such as the KIPP
academies, there is a high rate of student
attrition; the students who have the most
difficulty frequently leave (and return to
their regular public schools). In addition,
in KIPP schools and similar schools,
students have 60 percent more
learning time, through a longer school day,
weekend classes, and summer school.
Comparing these schools to regular public
schools is comparing apples to oranges.
Bringing this model to scale would require a
major influx of funds.
more myths
*
National Assessment of Educational Progress
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Test your TAKS readiness
The following question is
taken from the 11th grade TAKS test.
Compounds with the same chemical
composition may have different densities
because they -
A.
have differences in reactivity
B.
are able to bond with oxygen
C.
vary in solubility
D.
exist in different phases
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Breaking down
the dollar
Three cents of every education
dollar is spent on school bus
transportation.
Texas public schools provide a host of
services that are designed to support
students and teachers in the classroom, but
that are not captured in many definitions of
instruction that are included in reporting
from various sources . School
library books and librarians' salaries, for
example, are included in the definition of
instruction, but not by other sources that
report on education spending.
The cost of cleaning classrooms and
providing heating and cooling is almost
never included, nor is the cost of
construction. School security, student
lunches, and school nurses are among the
many other services that are provided by
schools but considered "outside the
classroom".
To see how one full dollar is spent on
education, read Tracking the Education
Dollar by clicking
here.
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Remember to
forward to coworkers, friends and
family!
Friends of Texas Public Schools
Scott Milder, President & Chief Executive
4000 McEwen Road North
Dallas, Texas 75244-5083
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