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In addition to those series already correlated to states' standards, we're now currently in the process of redesigning and aligning our reading comprehension and mathematics test prep workbooks to your state's standards, making them even better for your test preparation needs. NEW! Extended, Informative Teacher's Introductions NEW! Introductory Guided Practice Section for Each Grade Level in Reading Comprehension NOW! Questions are formatted and phrased to mirror the actual state test, giving your students better familiarity with what they can expect to see on their state exam. Request FREE REVIEW COPIES Today!! Visit this link: http://www.qworkbooks.com/samplerequest.html EDUCATION NEWS AND SUBSCRIPTIONS TO THE EDUCATION RESEARCH REPORT While you can still read full-text versions of our back issues from April 2006–January 2007 for free (http://www.queuenews.com/EduResearchRpt.html), you must now subscribe for access to new full-text versions, including the articles in the May issue. An annual subscription is available for $145. And as an added bonus, you'll continue to automatically receive your state's e-newsletter, a $48 value, for free!! Call 800-232-2224 to place your order with a credit card. Once you have subscribed, you will be emailed the protected URL for the full-text version of the Education Research Report. Details can be found here: http://www.queuenews.com/subsstate.html For back issues of this newsletter, as well as current and back issues of our state newsletters and U.S. Education News, please go to our NEWLY-REDESIGNED website: http://www.queuenews.com/ Understanding High School Graduation Rates Graduation rates are a fundamental indicator of whether or not the nation’s public school system is doing what it is intended to do: enroll, engage, and educate youth to be productive members of society. In today’s increasingly competitive global economy, graduating high school is a critical step towards securing a good job and a promising future. Yet nationally, one-third of our students—about 1.2 million each year—leave high school without a diploma, and graduation rates for poor and minority students are even lower. The failure to graduate every child prepared for the 21st century has serious consequences for both individual students and the rest of American society. Yet, the unacceptably low graduation rates of America’s youth have been obscured for far too long by inaccurate data, misleading calculations and reporting, and flawed accountability systems. Nationally, and for each state, Understanding High School Graduation Rates illustrates the discrepancies in graduation rates reported by government and independent sources, examines why this is important, and describes three core policy areas that are fundamental to calculating, reporting, and improving accurate graduation rates:
Policies that meaningfully holds high schools accountable for improving student achievement on test scores and increasing graduation rates so that low-performing students are not unnecessarily held back or encouraged to leave school without a diploma. To see Texas report: http://www.all4ed.org/publications/wcwc/Texas_wc.pdf Passing Rates on 5th-Grade Math TAKS Hit Record High Level Texas students posted the highest passing rate ever on the state’s 5th grade mathematics test with 85 percent of students mastering the English-language version of the exam and 39 percent achieving the prestigious “Commended Performance” level. To reach “Commended Performance” on the 5th grade Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) math test, a student must correctly answer at least 40 of the 44 questions correctly. The passing rate has risen from 79 percent in 2005, when the passing standards were first fully phased in, to 81 percent in 2006 to 85 percent in 2007. This year, 299,337 students took the English-language math test, and 254,233 passed it. An additional 5,834 students took the math test in Spanish, and 2,895, or 50 percent, passed it. This was also the highest passing rate ever achieved on the Spanish-language math test. The passing rate has risen from 44 percent in 2005 to 47 percent last year. The percentage of students that earned a “Commended Performance” status was 11 percent this spring, a slight drop from 12 percent last year. Students were required to answer 39 or more questions correctly on the Spanish-version test to earn the commended label. “We saw strong gains this year on the percentage of students passing the math TAKS. This is very encouraging news. Besides testing the students’ multiplication and division skills, this test also covers algebraic reasoning, geometry and spatial reasoning, and probability and statistics, so these results show that our students are mastering some complex mathematical concepts at a young age,” said Commissioner of Education Shirley J. Neeley. “I am particularly impressed with the performance of the 10,719 Asian-American students who took the test. They had the highest passing rates of any student group. Ninety-six percent of these students passed the test, and 70 percent earned “Commended Performance” accolades! Their parents and teachers can be very proud of these students,” she said. Among other student groups, the passing rates were 92 percent for white students, 81 percent for Hispanic students who took the test in English, and 74 percent for African-American students. Additionally, 51 percent of the white students, 32 percent of the Hispanic students, and 23 percent of the African-American students achieved “Commended Performance. Fifth-grade students must pass the TAKS reading and math tests, along with their classes, to be promoted to sixth grade under Texas law. The reading scores were released by TEA on March 9 and are available at http://www.tea.state.tx.us/student.assessment/reporting/. Students who did not pass have two more opportunities to take the tests this year. The second administration of the reading test was given Wednesday, and the third administration is scheduled for June 27. The second administration of the mathematics test will be May 15, followed by another testing opportunity on June 26. State law requires these students to receive intensive instruction immediately to help improve their skills. Many of these students have received extra instruction, such as small-group tutoring, already this year. If a student does not pass one of the high-stakes tests after three attempts, the student is retained in fifth grade. However, the parents can appeal that retention and a committee of the child’s parents, teachers and principal is formed. The committee, called a Grade Placement Committee, reviews the student’s class work and any other relevant information. If all committee members agree that the student can be successful if promoted and given extra instructional assistance, then the child may be promoted to the next grade. In 2006, 93 percent of the 5th grade students tested in English ultimately passed the math test after three attempts, as did 74 percent of those tested in Spanish. Please contact your local school district or charter school for testing results for your community’s schools.Dallas school trustees approved the second phase of an ambitious reform plan Thursday night, 18 months after district leaders pledged to transform the system into one of the nation's best. A committee of 65 educators and community leaders wrote the plan, called Dallas Achieves, with the assistance of several consultants. The group based its work on the strategies used at other successful urban school systems… Trustee Edwin Flores called the reform plan brilliant. "We need change, a transformation, a revolution in urban education," he said. "We need to move forward with all due haste because our children deserve it. That's not going to happen if we sit around." Trustees have previously said they thought the success of the plan is crucial not just for the students of the district, but also for the economic future of the city. The commission has noted that only about 5 percent of DISD ninth-graders eventually earn a college degree. Creating a school system that prepares students for college will strengthen the local economy and stem the flight of families to the suburbs, school leaders said…. To see complete article: To see full report: http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/img/04-07/0427dallasachieves.pdf Texas’ Anna Desanctis of Houston Named One of America’s Top Ten Youth Volunteers State’s Kyle Freas of Plano Also Honored During Four-Day Celebration, With Tribute From Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning Anna DeSanctis, 13, of Houston was named one of America’s top ten youth volunteers for 2007 in a ceremony at the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, receiving a national Prudential Spirit of Community Award for her outstanding volunteer community service. Selected from a field of more than 20,000 applicants across the country, she received a personal award of $5,000, an engraved gold medallion, a crystal trophy for her school, and a $5,000 grant from The Prudential Foundation for a nonprofit charitable organization of her choice. Also honored in Washington was Kyle Freas, 18, of Plano. He and Anna were named Texas’ top youth volunteers in February, and were recognized last night at the Smithsonian’s National Museum of Natural History, along with the top two youth volunteers of every other state and the District of Columbia. At that event, all 102 Prudential Spirit of Community State Honorees for 2007 were presented with $1,000 awards and congratulated by Indianapolis Colts quarterback and Super Bowl MVP Peyton Manning. The honorees also received engraved silver medallions and an all-expense-paid trip with their parents to Washington, D.C., for this week’s recognition events. Conducted in partnership with the National Association of Secondary School Principals (NASSP), The Prudential Spirit of Community Awards were created 12 years ago by Prudential Financial, Inc. to encourage youth volunteerism and to identify and reward young role models. Since then, the program has honored more than 75,000 young volunteers at the local, state and national level. Anna, an eighth-grader at Holy Spirit Episcopal School, raised more than $22,000 to create libraries at four orphanages in the region of China where she was born. Anna called her effort the “Odyssey Project” because she saw it as a journey that connected her to her past. She was adopted as a toddler, and later learned that most orphanages in China had no libraries for children. “I felt bad that the orphans in China didn’t have books to tell them about the world,” she said. Anna set out to raise $2,000 for a library at one orphanage. First, she asked for cash donations instead of birthday presents from friends and family. She then hosted a school dance, asked her grandparents to encourage friends to make donations, sold her computer and video games, and contributed her allowance for a year. In 18 months, Anna raised more than $22,000, which she sent to two Chinese social welfare organizations to build and stock libraries at four orphanages. There was even enough left over to construct water wells in two remote villages. Anna traveled to China last year to dedicate two of the new libraries. “I realized that if I was still in China, I might not have gone to school nor had a family,” she said. “People these days don’t realize how fortunate they are, but now I do.” Kyle, a senior at Plano West Senior High School, founded a nonprofit organization called “Youth Together” that encourages students at elementary and middle schools to participate in a variety of projects to help homeless, abused and critically ill children. Since launching Youth Together six years ago, he has developed eight community service projects and offered students in more than 100 schools the opportunity to take part in them. In addition to teaching students about community service, Kyle’s program has provided backpacks and school supplies to abused children, movies and games for pediatric patients, and holiday costumes and gifts to homeless kids. He also has projects that support homeless and zoo animals. To accomplish all of this, Kyle has recruited hundreds of high school volunteers over the years, and raised more than $70,000 to support the projects. “There is no better feeling than sharing with others,” said Kyle. “We need to realize that we are helping ourselves and our communities when we help others.”School Named Finalist for Intel Schools of Distinction Awards Elementary, Middle and High Schools Honored for Innovative Programs Supporting Student Achievement in Math and Science A San Antonio school has been named a finalist for the Intel® Schools of Distinction Awards. The annual program honors schools for implementing innovative and replicable math and science programs that produce positive educational results. Schools compete for $1 million in grants and awards from the Intel Foundation and sponsoring companies. The winners are announced in May 2007. The 18 finalists were chosen from public and private, as well as urban and suburban, schools that participated in the application and judging process. The finalists, representing a wide range of successful programs, in each category are: Science Excellence – The finalist schools provide a rich science curriculum incorporating hands-on investigative experiences that prepare students for 21st century jobs. Programs encourage student achievement in sciences and engineering, while simultaneously helping students to become knowledgeable consumers of news and data in order to be active and informed citizens. Programs are designed to meet the needs of all students, incorporating a variety of instructional strategies, and meeting rigorous education industry standards and assessment benchmarks.
Three winners – one elementary, one middle school and one high school – will be selected in each of the two categories. To honor their extraordinary commitment to educational excellence and innovation, each winning school will receive a $10,000 cash grant from the Intel Foundation and an award package including curriculum materials, professional development resources, hardware and software valued at more than $160,000 per school. Award sponsors include Agilix, BlackBoard, Dell, DyKnow, eInstruction, FutureKids, LearnStar, Panasonic, Pitsco, Riverdeep, Scantron, Schoolnet, and Smart Technologies. Representatives from the winning schools will attend an awards gala in Washington, D.C. on Oct. 4 at which one school from this year’s honorees will be named “Star Innovator.” The Star Innovator school will receive an additional $15,000 grant from the Intel Foundation as well as additional products and services from the sponsors, bringing the value of Star Innovator award to more than $200,000. The school winning this award must have a comprehensive program incorporating innovative and effective use of technology, engaging parents and the community in students’ education, fostering professional development and teamwork, and delivering consistent achievement of high academic standards. For more information about the Intel Schools of Distinction Awards, visit www.schoolsofdistinction.com.‘Friday Night Lights’ Star, Others, Earn Diplomas at a Distance Through Texas Tech University Independent School District Like all high school seniors, Jesse Plemons can’t wait to walk across the stage and graduate from high school. But unlike most seniors, the 19-year-old who stars as Landry Clark on NBC’s “Friday Night Lights” will meet his fellow graduates for the first time when he walks across the stage for Texas Tech University Independent School District graduation. The ceremony took place at 1:30 p.m. Sunday (May 6) at the Merket Alumni Center, located at 17th Street and University Avenue in Lubbock. “I’m anxious to come down for graduation and meet everyone,” Plemons said. “I’m very ready to close that chapter. Even though I got my GED when I was 16, I really wanted to get an actual diploma. I’m really glad that I did.” Plemons completed his high school curriculum through Texas Tech’s distance learning diploma program after enrolling his sophomore. He is one of 161 seniors graduating during the 2006-2007 graduation year. About 20 of the students will travel to Lubbock to attend Sunday’s festivities. Tibor Nagy, Texas Tech’s vice provost for International Affairs, will give the graduation address. Plemons’ professional acting career took off in the last few years, with appearances in TV shows such as “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation,” “Judging Amy,” “Walker: Texas Ranger” and “Grey’s Anatomy.” He he said needed an alternative to traditional school. TTUISD’s flexible yet rigorous program fit the bill. “With Texas Tech, I couldn’t have asked for more with them,” Plemons said. “My instructors helped me out so much. Any time I had a question, they were right there for me. I don’t know how I could have done it without them.” In addition to television work, Jesse’s movie credits include “Varsity Blues” and “Like Mike.” Many other actors, entertainers, athletes and young people pursuing other professional careers have chosen TTUISD to complete their secondary education. Hunter Parrish, seen on the Showtime series “Weeds” and featured in the recent Hilary Swank movie “Freedom Writers,” is also a graduating senior. He was seen in “RV” with Robin Williams, and has many television credits, including “Law & Order: SV” and “CSI: Crime Scene Investigation.” Hunter hosts a popular talk show podcast called “Two Guys and a Girl.” Leven Rambin, a Daytime Emmy-nominated actress, and regular on ABC’s “All My Children” is a TTUISD junior. HP Awards More Than $7 Million in Education Grants to Schools in the U.S. and Puerto Rico Grants Promote Student Interest in Science, Technology, Engineering and Math HP is awarding 172 K-12 public schools and two- and four-year colleges and universities in the United States and Puerto Rico more than $7 million in mobile technology, cash and professional development. The grants, part of the 2007 HP Technology for Teaching grant program, are designed to improve student achievement through the innovative uses of technology in the classroom while encouraging student interest in careers in technology, engineering, math and science, including environmental science. During the 2007-2008 academic year, grant projects will affect nearly 42,000 students. Since 2004, HP has contributed a total of $36 million in HP Technology for Teaching grants to more than 650 schools worldwide. During the past 20 years, HP has contributed more than $1 billion in cash and equipment to schools, universities, community organizations and other nonprofit organizations around the world. “HP empowers students and teachers to succeed through innovative uses of technology and training,” said Bess Stephens, vice president, Philanthropy and Education, HP. “We invest in schools to increase educational attainment and contribute to the development of a skilled, diverse workforce in the future.” Since the inception of the HP Technology for Teaching initiative, grant recipients have reported a positive impact on teaching and student achievement as a result of the program. “The HP Technology for Teaching initiative is an exemplary comprehensive philanthropic education program,” said Leslie Conery, deputy chief executive officer, International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE). “As a result of the professional development, community building and HP’s commitment to sharing best practices, grant recipients are reporting a direct, positive impact on student learning.” K-12 grants HP is awarding nearly $4.1 million in cash and equipment to teams of five teachers at 130 K-12 public schools in the United States. Preference was given to schools serving low-income students and projects including a math, science or environmental component. The award package, valued at more than $31,000 for each team, will include five HP Tablet PCs, five multimedia projectors, five HP digital cameras, five HP Officejet All-in-Ones, software and accessories, and a cash stipend for each teacher. Teachers will also participate in a professional development program sponsored by HP and led by ISTE, during which they will receive customized mentoring and learning opportunities and will participate in an online learning community to share best practices. Grant recipients represent schools in 37 states and the District of Columbia. In many grant proposals, teachers and students plan to use mobile technology outside the classroom to learn about their environment and then enhance their learning inside the classroom through the Internet. 2007 HP recipients- Texas K-12 Arnold Middle School, Cypress
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