For years, Texas teachers and their unions have fought the drive to tie evaluations and pay raises to Texas standardized testing. But last week, Houston Independent School District teachers lost their battle in a unanimous decision by school board trustees.

“We want a quality teacher in every classroom, end of story, period,” said HISD Superintendent, Terry Grier.

Teachers whose test scores don’t make the grade can be fired. Teachers call it teaching to the test, or teaching to TAKS. Opponents fear teachers will become more consumed with getting their students to pass the test than they will with providing the quality education administrators demand.

AUSTIN– Members of Huston-Tillotson University’s Male Initiative on Learning and Excellence (MILE) program in conjunction with the National Forum for Black Public Administrators Central Texas Chapter (NFBPA-CTC) will present an open forum entitled, “The Reality of our Existence: An Open Dialogue About Critical Issues Impacting Our Community.” The program will be held Thursday, Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. in King-Seabrook Chapel on the campus at 900 Chicon Street.

At Reese Academy, before school
and after school enrichment
programs are offered from 7 a.m.-
8:30 a.m. and from 4:20-5:45 daily.
Reese will be unaffected by cuts
to the magnet schools.
Photo: Aldine ISD

Part 2: Aldine ISD Magnets lose their protected status
The 1977 reinforcement of the federal desegregation order for Aldine Independent School district was successful in accomplishing a number of objectives. It helped ensure desegregation; it created schools in underserved areas, such as Acres Homes; and it helped move the largely minority district to academic excellence, causing the district to become nationally recognized, demonstrating that urban Blacks could learn and thrive if given the proper resources. It also reinforced the importance of providing quality education regardless of race or socio-economic status.

                                                                                  

Dwayne Ashley, president and CEO, Thurgood Marshall College Fund, Dr. Marybeth Gasman, associate professor of higher education, University of Pennsylvania, Dr. Ronald Mason, president, Jackson State University, Dr. Mary Sias, president, Kentucky State University and Dr. George Wright, president, Prairie View A & M University, developed a white paper entitled, “Making the Grade: Improving Degree Attainment at Historically Black Colleges and Universities.”

Part 1: History of desegregation in Aldine ISD

Aldine is facing a major budgetary shortfall and district administrators believe they have found a solution but it’s not one that parents are happy with. According to AISD Superintendent Wanda Bamberg, there is no win-win solution here. In order for the entire district to win, somebody’s got to lose. And it looks like, among other things, several magnet programs will get the ax.

For many of the district’s stakeholders, it is the thing they have feared the most.

By María de los Ángeles Corral, The College Board

January is the best time to file the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, also known as the FAFSA.  The form can be procured through the organization’s website, via phone and in many high schools. The FAFSA is used by the federal government to calculate the minimum amount your family is expected to contribute to your child’s college expenses and whether or not you qualify for government aid.

Based on your financial need, a college may offer a combination of grants, loans and work-study. Grant money does not have to be repaid. Typically, students are offered loans, but they also may be extended to parents if needed.

Make sure to take advantage of all your federal options first; the interest rates are much better, as are the repayment terms. Taking out loans is a significant responsibility. With careful planning, however, the reward can justify the investment.

From the left: Sandie Meyers, Board Secretary, District VI;
Dr. William P. Williams, Board Chairman, District IV; and
Neeta Sane, Vice Chair, District VII.

The Houston Community College Board of Trustees elected Dr. Michael P. Williams to serve as chairman of the HCC Board for 2010. Dr. Williams has represented District IV, one of the most ethnically diverse districts in the HCC system, for more than a decade. As an HCC Trustee, Williams has served as Board Chair in 2005, deputy secretary, chairman of the Finance Committee and chairman of the Ad Hoc Chancellor Search Committee.
The Board also elected Neeta Sane (District VII) as vice chairman and newly elected Trustee Sandie Meyers (District VI) as secretary. Williams said, “I am looking forward to the most successful year in the history of this institution and will do everything in my power to see that it happens.”

Dr. Winston and Rachel Watkins announced the graduation of their daughter, Wilda Ouidell Watkins from the University of Miami in Coral Gables, Fla. Miss Watkins graduated Cum Laude last month, with a Bachelor Degree in Business Administration and a minor in Spanish.
In addition to her parents, celebrating her success is her brother Winston E. Watkins, III, nephew Michael E. Watkins, grandparents Winston and Emily Watkins, and Ralph and Romona Reyes of Manor, Texas. U of M is a  private research university with more than 15,000 students.

All students at Aldine ISD’s Reese Academy attend physical
education, drama, art, computer technology and music
classes as part of a three day class rotation. Many students
also take dance and violin classes.
                         Photo: Aldine Independent School District

Teachers have a reputation for being overworked and underpaid. Year after year, teachers and union representatives have lobbied Washington, D.C. and Austin, petitioning legislators for a much needed pay increase. Washington and Austin finally got the message. In 2009, legislators passed H.B. 3646 mandating that raise, resulting in a pay increase of $1,014 for each educator and other designated professionals.
Dr. Wanda Bamberg, Superintendent of Aldine ISD, wishes they hadn’t. Bamberg says last year, she personally spoke with educators throughout the district, explaining to them why she was going to recommend that educators forego their raise this year.

Homecoming Basketball Game
Date & Time: Feb. 27 @ 5:30 PM
Venue: Mary E. Branch Gymnasium, HT Campus
Location: 900 Chicon Street, Austin, TX 78702

Practice What You Preach, a gospel play
Date & Time: Feb. 25 @ 6:30 PM
Venue: King-Seabrook Chapel
Location: 900 Chicon Street, Austin, TX 78702

Catfish Lunch
Date & Time: Feb. 26 @ 12 noon
Venue: Davage-Durdan Student Union
Location: 900 Chicon Street, Austin, TX 78702

300 Bowling Games
Date & Time: Feb. 26 from 9 a.m. to 1 a.m.
Venue: Amf Showplace Lanes
Location: 9504 North IH 35, Austin, TX 78753

Alumni Annual Blues and Jazz Concert
Date & Time: Feb. 21
Venue: TBD
Location: TBD

Contact Ms. Jeffery Archer (512)441-1323 for more information. Visit http://htalumni.htu.edu/events/alumni-events/ for additional events.

If you are an Huston Tilotson alumnus and would like to know how you can continue to see this event update in the African-American News&Issues, call (713)692-1892 or e-mail news@aframnews.com. Not an HT alumnus? Call us to see how your alma mater’s events can be featured as well.