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| Attendance,
Academics & Attitude shine at M.C. Williams |
| As the school year
draws to a close, there is special reason to celebrate at M.C. Williams Middle School in
the Acres Home Charter District. While TAAS scores across HISD have improved this year,
nowhere are the improvements as exciting as they are at the Home of the Wolverines. On May
13, students and faculty celebrated their achievements in an afternoon assembly in which
the results were announced. M.C.Williams saw record setting performance on the state
mandated tests this year. All three grade levels scored 80% or better on the reading test
and a sensational 85% or better on the mathematics portion. The highest scores were set by
the sixth grade students who scored 91% in reading and 94% in math. Their marks were third
best among all sixth graders in HISD and represented improvements of 25% and 14%
respectively. Scores were up generally across the board with only the 8th grade reading and writing scores posting modest declines. The eighth grade reading scores declined 5% to a still respectable 80%, while the writing scored 60%. These declines could not take the shine off the otherwise terrific performance which included a 36% increase, among the largest in HISD, on the social studies exam. This year the faculty and staff at M.C. Williams increased efforts to ensure success on the TAAS. Principal James L. Henderson instituted morning tutorials wherein students would receive extra help in each of the four core subjects. The Saturday TAAS Camp was expanded to include all areas of the TAAS and nearly tripled in length. Students received new bicycles last fall as an incentive to achieve in "Attendance, Academics and Attitude." This spring, students who meet the requirements in these areas will receive season passes to Astroworld. Homework and classroom instruction was intensified throughout the school. Students were challenged to work harder and do more than ever before. "It was the challenge we put the eighth grade to," said Reginald Bush, social studies department chairman. "The standards were put high." He also credits the incentives which were implemented by the administration which improved attendance. "Attendance," he adds, "is everything," Spirits are indeed high across campus. Sixth grade teachers, when asked about their remarkable achievements commended the administration team and their support. Ms. Demetrius Carr, who teaches 6th grade language arts, spoke specifically about the availability of "unlimited copies and the new HISD adoption-- The Language of Literature--That really made my kids come up from last year." Ms. Evelyn Martin, another sixth grade teacher added that faculty retention has made a difference. "This sixth grade group has been here awhile [and] tends to work together. We keep coming up with strategies we can hold on to." She added, "It's good to work around people with good positive attitudes." Eighth grade Assistant Principal Ms. Reba Scott affirms that the morning tutorials made the difference. "It was that and the commitment from the teachers. Teachers wanted the school to succeed." She added that the faculty really believed in the expectations set by Mr. Henderson and followed the leadership of the administration. The elation is not just felt by teachers and staff. Students also are excited about their achievements. Individual achievement on this year's test set records at Williams. A record 82 students, 40 from sixth grade, achieved Academic Recognition in one or more areas of the TAAS. As one might expect, students cite a variety of reasons for their success. Many thanked their teachers. "I have passed all five parts of the test, but I know without God answering my prayers and my teachers' help, this would not have been possible," says Lenett Lyons, an 8th grade student. Eric Welch, who quarterbacked the 8th grade team last fall, also commends the teaching staff. "I think it was just the teachers," he says, "that pushed us to do right." Classmate Dominic Daniel adds, "All my teachers inspired me to try my best. I believe I passed the TAAS because of my teachers." Many students commended their principal. Esmeralda Ortiz says, "I guess it was Mr. Henderson because we got a new principal and we got better grades!" Another eighth grader, Ira McQueen, goes further in commending the new principal, "I think Mr. Henderson helped us a lot. He is a guardian angel to this school." And one student who did not wish to be recognized said, "I think it was the principal. This principal encouraged us more. He gave us stuff to make us work harder."
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| May Archives |