Here's What's Hot On CBS11TV.COM:
Aug 19, 2008 12:16 pm US/Central
3 DISD Schools Now Under State's Microscope
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
With one week to go before the start of the school year, the
Dallas Independent School District will face state-level evaluation to determine if the district will be allowed to continue operating three troubled schools or be forced to close them.
The
Texas Education Agency has appointed a special monitor to oversee the district's management of Samuell High School, Spruce High School and E.B. Comstock Middle School.
Each of the schools has received the state's lowest academic rating in consecutive years. Comstock received an "Acceptable" rating this year, but Samuell and Spruce both received "Academically Unacceptable" ratings for the fourth consecutive year.
State law allows the commissioner of education to "
order alternative management or closure of a campus" for schools that receive the lowest rating in four consecutive years.
After five years of the lowest rating, the commissioner is required to either close the school or assign another district to run it.
The TEA issued a formal letter to Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa and DISD Board of Trustees President Jack Lowe. The Texas Commissioner of Education,
Robert Scott, said the TEA will order alternative management of the schools by another school district or order closure of the schools if the campuses fail to improve from their low rating status this school year.
Dr. Judy Castleberry, the former Executive Director of the Dallas-area Education Service Center, has been assigned the oversight duties. She will oversee campus intervention teams and report on the progress at the campuses.
The school district has already taken steps to avoid state takeover of campuses. Spruce High School has been redesigned, sending the majority of its students to other Dallas ISD campuses. It will reopen next week as a special academy for freshmen.
Seven other Dallas ISD schools have been rated "Academically Unacceptable" for two consecutive years. According to state law, they could also be subject to closure or management by another district if they receive that rating during the next two years.
Education Commissioner Scott asked Superintendent Hinojosa to identify deficiencies in student performance, and cooperate with the state's newly appointed monitor for the school district.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
Hollywood Hair
Click to enlarge
Stumble It!
Reporting
