15 schools miss grade, must allow students to transfer campuses

[Vanessa]

I would like to add that Travis Elementary has struggled in the past but is a RECOGNIZED campus this year. Teachers and students have worked extremely hard to get to that point. It is very easy to judge when you are not in the classroom. It is very easy to point fingers and blame anyone and everyone. Travis has made huge improvments and it is unfair for the media to always focus on the negative. Yes, Travis was unacceptable for two years, I wish we could get over that and focus on how Travis is recognized now and will continue to improve in the years to come.

[parent]

Most of you place the blame on teachers...if one subgroup doesn't do well the whole school is in trouble. If all English speaking kids pass the test and a low rate of Spanish speaking students pass... the WHOLE school is considered unacceptable. So it's not even about teaching to the test. We have a bigger problem in out hands.

[Art]

I adamntly agree with "Jalapenno" "Thank a Teacher" and for sure with "Pinky and No Brain" you have made alot of sense, yes parents and educators alike are very upset and but read what this people I have mentioned posted and you will see that they are 100 per cent correct. They did not insinuate race or expressed disrespect but stated the true answers to the problem.

[Chukoman]

Real Smart wrote:

Enough already! These overpaid administrators and Superintendents have to go! Get on with it, if you want a quality education get a charter school in your town. They can do the job better at a lower cost to the taxpayers.
Part of that involves parent commitment which the schools here have little of. Get rid of the illegals who just take up space and use resources. Why are we rewarding illegal activity? Get serious El Paso, do something constructive on your own. Don't let these outsiders come in and leech off of you.

Charter schools are trash. They become drop-off stations for bigger districts who want to get rid of bad students. Then they end up closing because they can't make the grade... or they find themselves becoming dishonest institutions who bend rules to stay open. A little research and you will agree with me. Try it.

[Chukoman]

HELL PASO wrote:

it is no surprise that many of the schools are failing academically. I believe there are two reasons. The first, lack of parental involvement. Second, too many people from Mexico attending our free public schools. The lack of parents speaking English really hurts a childs ability to develop academically. Too many parents lack participation and involvement in a childs education.
For obvious reasons...FUNDING....the school districts allow the people of Mexico to attend their schools to get more funding from the state of Texas. Unfortunately, these foreigners are hurting the school districts and the reputation of El Paso, in general. Wake up El Paso all you need to do is look at the license plates of the vehicles that pick up their kids after school. I, personally, am tired of having to fund free-loading parents.

Dumb, dumb, dumb...and racist statement. Free this, free that. Free what? Stop this non-sense. Forget about listing all the things you don't agree with and start listing the things you can do. Food for thought: How many volunteers go to Austin, Bowie and Jefferson High School and tutor these students? How many professional Elpasoans come to this part of town and get involved in the community? Fact: These students are unmotivated. Fact: Most of these students DON'T KNOW A PERSON WITH A COLLEGE DEGREE!!!Here's an experiment for you (this involves you getting off your throne and becoming part of the solution not the bitching): Go to Jefferson High School or any of these schools and talk to one of the students who has failed. Ask them which college they are going to attend. Ask them if they have begun the admission process for college. Ask them about their plans after college... they will look at you like you are psycho! I bet nobody except their teacher has asked them that question. Think about it, we are trying to sell a test (Taks) to them that they can't relate to! In their minds, graduating from high school has become their greatest accomplishment in life! Ask them if they are ready to get commended in the TAKS test... they probably have never been explain what commended means! Outsiders want things to change all by themselves. They want parents to become parents overnight. They want teachers to teach to a test that is super BIAS againts Elpasoans. They want, want, want, but are not willing to help. Call these schools and get involved! Become the parental support that these students need. Become the adult in their lives that will teach by example! Get off your butts and help... "no, no, no. I am not their parents. They are the ones who should take responsibility... they are not my problem..." If they are not your problem then stop bitching about the tax money they are stealing from you!!!

[Chukoman]

some1s-mom wrote:

The language difference is a major problem with-in our school system. I am a mother who is very active in my kid's school and I see the problem up front and personal. My husband drives a bus for this great city of ours and he picks up so many children that travel everyday across the border to come to our schools in El Paso. Not only my kid's school but every other school in El Paso as well, have classes dedicated to spanish speaking students only. This is not only wrong in the aspect of that our schools are over crowded do to this but also because our tax money is being spent to enrich the lives of another country. These kids often graduate and do one of two things, They continue their education in one of our Community Colleges, or the get a job in our city and take the money home to their country. People often ask why El Paso is such a poor city or why our schools are over populated, well this is why. The principal of every school are the ones who should verify that all students live in their school zone. They need to get off their butts and take the time to drive to every students house that they even suspect that is not a citizen or with-in their school district and see if they live where they clam they do. Have the school officers follow students and see if they are getting on the buses to get downtown only to catch another bus that will take them right to the bridge. If they were to do this, my best guess is that they would lose at least 20 percent or more of their students. They can use the money that is spent on spanish books and use it where our teachers have the proper tools to teach our children whom do live in the U.S.A and with-in the school district they attend. So all this blaming on our teachers is not the way to go. Blame the people who are the ones in charge of registering students into the school district and force them to check every address that these Spanish speaking students give. Also if you are going to allow them into our school system....force them to learn the language of the U.S.A (ENGLISH).

So...you think that these legally documented kids (yes, they are documented) that live in Juarez are waking up two hours before you wake up, walking through a town in the middle of the biggest WAR in Mexico since the Revolution of 1910, waiting in super long lines to cross to El Paso, ARE the biggest problem in our public school system??? Wow, you have a lot of misdirected hatred. Unfourtunately, ESL (English-learners) students ARE given the TAKS. This is where the discrimination begins... you come to a country and immeditely get tested in a language you are learning. One, it is going to take them extra time in completing the English/Reading/Writing sections. Two, the TAKS is packed with word problems in math. Three, not only are these students learning a language, but they are also learning every single sugject that the rest of the students are learning. OF COURSE THEY ARE NOT GOING TO SCORE AS HIGH AS EVERYONE ELSE!!! Solution, divide these students evenly throughout El Paso. Create non-overpopulated immersion programs in every single school where attention is highly given to these students! Balance the playing field and I bet that El Paso will not only become a breeding ground for Academia, but will also become a City of Goodwill.

[youthinkiyouknow]

Many of the racist posting in this forum are from peop0le that have moved to El Paso and stay from other parts of the country. They are totally ignorant to the historical blend . Why is it that before the Task there has many successfull students that have gone on to be prominent in their chosen profession.Yes it is true that their is illegal in the school districs but the problem is worse then just that. Many of the kids that speak English just dont care plain and simple. They go to school , they have the best technology ever and refuse to learn. Then there is some great educators in the schools but there is also some that should not be teaching.There was a teacher is Magoffin that was teaching the Task program and was totally incompeted talk to the principal and they just hush it under the rug. This lady should not have been teaching the task. So as you see there is more to it the just blame a group.

[BlueMoon]

what wrote:

<quoted text>
I think you mean c'mon, not "common". I have practice test you can take if it will help.

I think you mean "I have 'a' practice test you can take if it will help". Don't try to fix other people's errors when you make your own. Anyway, I understand what you're saying and isn't that the point of communication? Don't pick on the little things--LOOK AT THE BIG PICTURE!...and speaking of little things, EWhat is on vacation, so I guess that makes him a teacher (of sorts) and a know it all, so he'll be typing in his .02 cents more often now.
BTW, here's a penny to think about...... Keep an eye on the Times for an announcement from episd. They are going to want more money (for test practices, cheerleading ex-principal's, and those good 'ole boys/gals Garcia hires at ridiculous rates just like the Electric and Gas Company......Take that to the bank... I mean, take that FROM the bank.......

[BlueMoon]

Educated What wrote:

<quoted text>
Let me ask you, have you worked in a school setting, knowing the different demographics and the possiblity that these schools have parents who probably dropped out and have no clue how to help their child?

I know more than you think... Just like these forums are a venting place for many, many of my "episd" friends vent all the time.. If you're a teacher, you know that the conversation always turns to school related things all the time, so I hear quite a bit... More than I really care to. So I know all about demographics, ethnicities, LEP, Economic disadvantages, free lunches, learning disabled, subgroups, percentages to meet ayp, etc., etc., etc. But here's the catch EW.... All schools approach these the same way-----DRILL, DRILL, DRILL.... If you don't believe me, just ask your school-age kids how many bubble sheets they've done lately......

[roma1]

I bet a $5 milkshake that the El Paso Times Editorial Board is going to sound off on this report in their lead editorial on Sunday. I sincerely hope they see many of these posts on this thread IN SUPPORT of our schools. Let's ask them to not tear down, but to build up!! There are a lot of really positive things going on right now - new superintendents getting their houses in order, the continuing "Priority Schools" project in EPISD, and a large decrease of PEG schools this year. NOTE TO EDITORIAL BOARD - Please be fair-minded and supportive of the strong efforts that are underway!

[Educated What]

BlueMoon wrote:

<quoted text>
I know more than you think... Just like these forums are a venting place for many, many of my "episd" friends vent all the time.. If you're a teacher, you know that the conversation always turns to school related things all the time, so I hear quite a bit... More than I really care to. So I know all about demographics, ethnicities, LEP, Economic disadvantages, free lunches, learning disabled, subgroups, percentages to meet ayp, etc., etc., etc. But here's the catch EW.... All schools approach these the same way-----DRILL, DRILL, DRILL.... If you don't believe me, just ask your school-age kids how many bubble sheets they've done lately......

But drill, drill, drill, does not always work especially when kids don't get any attention at home. I am an employee for the district and I know a lot about this information. My argument is simple, these schools need parent support. Until that happens, those schools will stay the same. Here is an example, Bassett Middle School, back in the 90's they were considered a Governor's Gold Star School and had team teaching which worked very well. That school had huge PTAs, parent support, military tutoring, etc... Now there are hardly any parents getting involved so the schools went down. AMAZING how much parents have an influence on their kids.

[BlueMoon]

Educated What wrote:

<quoted text>
But drill, drill, drill, does not always work especially when kids don't get any attention at home. I am an employee for the district and I know a lot about this information. My argument is simple, these schools need parent support. Until that happens, those schools will stay the same. Here is an example, Bassett Middle School, back in the 90's they were considered a Governor's Gold Star School and had team teaching which worked very well. That school had huge PTAs, parent support, military tutoring, etc... Now there are hardly any parents getting involved so the schools went down. AMAZING how much parents have an influence on their kids.

I agree with you! I was being sarcastic from post #1... But, that is what episd seems to want--drill until the results improve. I guess it's kinda like the "speak LOUDER and SLOWER" until it finally sinks in. It aggravates me when I hear this stuff. I see the frustration in the conversations I have with some teacher friends. It seems teachers can't teach anymore because they're being dictated exactly what to do. Clone teachers and Clone students. Just last night, it was brought up that since Thanksgiving, at least 6 different test were given to students per subject. I'm sure it'll get worse as TAKS season approaches. Take everyone of them and mold them into average. I agree. It DOES take support--It takes the whole village to make and IDIOT, and likewise, it takes the whole village to make a productive, intelligent CITIZEN. But, no school system or society as a whole for that matter will ever figure that out. They just want the village's money.

[Educated What]

BlueMoon wrote:

<quoted text>
I agree with you! I was being sarcastic from post #1... But, that is what episd seems to want--drill until the results improve. I guess it's kinda like the "speak LOUDER and SLOWER" until it finally sinks in. It aggravates me when I hear this stuff. I see the frustration in the conversations I have with some teacher friends. It seems teachers can't teach anymore because they're being dictated exactly what to do. Clone teachers and Clone students. Just last night, it was brought up that since Thanksgiving, at least 6 different test were given to students per subject. I'm sure it'll get worse as TAKS season approaches. Take everyone of them and mold them into average. I agree. It DOES take support--It takes the whole village to make and IDIOT, and likewise, it takes the whole village to make a productive, intelligent CITIZEN. But, no school system or society as a whole for that matter will ever figure that out. They just want the village's money.

Amen to that brother!!!

[Art]

Myra hate to burst your bubble but Texas has higher education standards than New Mexico. I teach at a private school in El Paso and for example an 11 grader from Gadsden will be in the 10th grade in our school.

[Steve El-Paso Rockport]

Solidarity when you criticize someone have the courage to put your real name on your post.

Rockport is only considered wealthy by property wealth standards,$564,000 per student and the cutoff is $400,000. By every other standard we are not a rich district. 48% of our students qualify for free or reduced price lunches based on the income levels of the family. Eight percent of our students are homeless. Don't confuse the rich people who have second homes in Rockport with the average worker and student.

I've read the TAKS tests and that's why I know they are simple. Both of my children scored perfect on the Math and Reading almost every time they took it. The worst they received was 2 wrong. My son Huey just was accepted into the Honors Program at UT although its not his first choice.

Its a simple test. On a 7th or 8th grade math test a few years back they were asking which number times 4 equals 8 (not the exact wording) and it was multiple choice with 2, 3, and 4 as the possible answers.

[Solidarity]

Steve El-Paso Rockport wrote:

Solidarity when you criticize someone have the courage to put your real name on your post.
Rockport is only considered wealthy by property wealth standards,$564,000 per student and the cutoff is $400,000. By every other standard we are not a rich district. 48% of our students qualify for free or reduced price lunches based on the income levels of the family. Eight percent of our students are homeless. Don't confuse the rich people who have second homes in Rockport with the average worker and student.
I've read the TAKS tests and that's why I know they are simple. Both of my children scored perfect on the Math and Reading almost every time they took it. The worst they received was 2 wrong. My son Huey just was accepted into the Honors Program at UT although its not his first choice.
Its a simple test. On a 7th or 8th grade math test a few years back they were asking which number times 4 equals 8 (not the exact wording) and it was multiple choice with 2, 3, and 4 as the possible answers.

Sir, you are not telling the truth, period. First, Rockport is wealthy especially compared to El Paso. Your supposed 48% poverty rate is considerably less than El Paso's 82%. As for your children, congratulations! They are smart GT students who come from a good home. That doesn't make the TAKS easy. It means your children were prepared. Finally, what question are you talking about on the 8th grade math test? I haven't found ONE question that was as easy as you claim. Instead, I found Algebra I and Geometry questions on it. To get the correct answer, a student must know 3 to 5 steps per questions. This not only ensures that s/he knows computation, but also that s/he can read critically.

From your posts, I have concluded that you have never really looked at a test.

[mindbender]

Who's to blame? It's the kids who go to school, that's all they do but don't take their education serious. Don't give them excuses it's their future. Educators are suppose to teach and that's what they do. The children go to school to learn if they don't get-it than they need to ask for help. Children of all ages need to know they are responsible for somethings in their lifes and kids and parents need to stop blaming everyone else for their failures. Buck-up alittle and take some responsibility because it is thier future

[PinkyandNoBrain]

How are teachers held accountable for performing the job they were hired to do? I think it's quite simple. Either these kids are learning or they are not. Either teachers are doing their job or they are not.

The assumption is that teachers jumped into teaching because it was their calling in life. Did you all assume that you wouldn't be dealing with 1000s of separate personalities? Did you all think that these kids would just magically gravitate toward you? Living near the border. Did you all just assume that you would be teaching a bunch of Arian kids? Look around you, what's the primary color? What are the primary languages? Did this not pass through your mind?

Over and over, the common thread is that teachers are: not paid enough, worked too hard, not listened to, abused by the board of education, forced to teach silly things, not supported, mis-treated, etc. Guess what teachers? Most jobs are like that. Guess what else? If people working other jobs don't deliver results, they get canned. It's that simple.

You don't hear the guy/gal who designed the bridges there in El Paso say, "Oh, I am worked too hard." "I work too much" "It's the responsibility of the taxpayer to design the bridge" etc. They get off their butts and they design the bridges and ensure that they don't kill anyone. When these bridges fail, people are held accountable.

The sad, sad news is that teaching is WORK. This means you get off your butt and teach. If kids don't listen, you figure out how to make them listen. If kids are failing, you figure out how to make them better. If boards don't listen to you, you organize and change things. If you are not paid enough, you demand more money (but you show results first). If someone doesn't appreciate what you do, you show them the VALUE that you provide.

It's so easy for you to simply complain about the kids and the parents. Easy to point the finger. If you choose to point the finger, then simply turn your hand around. No one forced you into teaching. No one forces you to take that little paycheck every 2 weeks. No one forces you to go to work. No one is forcing you to stay in the teaching field.

The reality may be that: parents may not be involved, kids may be dumb, not interested, worthless, bilingual, unilingual, handi-capped, etc. You always have a choice. You have a choice to make a difference or to get out.

Remember that the paycheck is a very sorry reason to keep a job.

[Educated What]

PinkyandNoBrain wrote:

How are teachers held accountable for performing the job they were hired to do? I think it's quite simple. Either these kids are learning or they are not. Either teachers are doing their job or they are not.
The assumption is that teachers jumped into teaching because it was their calling in life. Did you all assume that you wouldn't be dealing with 1000s of separate personalities? Did you all think that these kids would just magically gravitate toward you? Living near the border. Did you all just assume that you would be teaching a bunch of Arian kids? Look around you, what's the primary color? What are the primary languages? Did this not pass through your mind?
Over and over, the common thread is that teachers are: not paid enough, worked too hard, not listened to, abused by the board of education, forced to teach silly things, not supported, mis-treated, etc. Guess what teachers? Most jobs are like that. Guess what else? If people working other jobs don't deliver results, they get canned. It's that simple.
You don't hear the guy/gal who designed the bridges there in El Paso say, "Oh, I am worked too hard." "I work too much" "It's the responsibility of the taxpayer to design the bridge" etc. They get off their butts and they design the bridges and ensure that they don't kill anyone. When these bridges fail, people are held accountable.
The sad, sad news is that teaching is WORK. This means you get off your butt and teach. If kids don't listen, you figure out how to make them listen. If kids are failing, you figure out how to make them better. If boards don't listen to you, you organize and change things. If you are not paid enough, you demand more money (but you show results first). If someone doesn't appreciate what you do, you show them the VALUE that you provide.
It's so easy for you to simply complain about the kids and the parents. Easy to point the finger. If you choose to point the finger, then simply turn your hand around. No one forced you into teaching. No one forces you to take that little paycheck every 2 weeks. No one forces you to go to work. No one is forcing you to stay in the teaching field.
The reality may be that: parents may not be involved, kids may be dumb, not interested, worthless, bilingual, unilingual, handi-capped, etc. You always have a choice. You have a choice to make a difference or to get out.
Remember that the paycheck is a very sorry reason to keep a job.

This is really dumb especially from a person who has not idea what teaching is about. This person blames this whole thing on the teachers yet does not believe that parent involvement is not the key. Know the facts before you blame the teachers. I am sure that this is your excuse why your kids are failing. Everybody complains about their jobs and their pay, not only teachers. Look at what is going on in our economy. The real sorry reason is blaming the teacher, teachers do not live with their students and if parents can't control their kids and give every possible luxury for kid through an ARD which will fail them in life, that is your problem. Grow up with and re-think before you post.

[guesswhat]

PinkyandNoBrain wrote:

How are teachers held accountable for performing the job they were hired to do? I think it's quite simple. Either these kids are learning or they are not. Either teachers are doing their job or they are not.
The assumption is that teachers jumped into teaching because it was their calling in life. Did you all assume that you wouldn't be dealing with 1000s of separate personalities? Did you all think that these kids would just magically gravitate toward you? Living near the border. Did you all just assume that you would be teaching a bunch of Arian kids? Look around you, what's the primary color? What are the primary languages? Did this not pass through your mind?
Over and over, the common thread is that teachers are: not paid enough, worked too hard, not listened to, abused by the board of education, forced to teach silly things, not supported, mis-treated, etc. Guess what teachers? Most jobs are like that. Guess what else? If people working other jobs don't deliver results, they get canned. It's that simple.
You don't hear the guy/gal who designed the bridges there in El Paso say, "Oh, I am worked too hard." "I work too much" "It's the responsibility of the taxpayer to design the bridge" etc. They get off their butts and they design the bridges and ensure that they don't kill anyone. When these bridges fail, people are held accountable.
The sad, sad news is that teaching is WORK. This means you get off your butt and teach. If kids don't listen, you figure out how to make them listen. If kids are failing, you figure out how to make them better. If boards don't listen to you, you organize and change things. If you are not paid enough, you demand more money (but you show results first). If someone doesn't appreciate what you do, you show them the VALUE that you provide.
It's so easy for you to simply complain about the kids and the parents. Easy to point the finger. If you choose to point the finger, then simply turn your hand around. No one forced you into teaching. No one forces you to take that little paycheck every 2 weeks. No one forces you to go to work. No one is forcing you to stay in the teaching field.
The reality may be that: parents may not be involved, kids may be dumb, not interested, worthless, bilingual, unilingual, handi-capped, etc. You always have a choice. You have a choice to make a difference or to get out.
Remember that the paycheck is a very sorry reason to keep a job.

good post but as usual teachers do not like what is said about them, majority of teachears are in it for the love of the profession but the fact is there is some that are in it for a paycheck and many of these devoted teachers know who they are but cowardly stick their head on the ground do not want toget involed and say parents are not involved but are blind to the teachers that should not teach.In the private sector you dont perform you get fired but with the teachers even if they commit something they get put on leave with pay that is the power of their union that has become a pay entity to protect their jobs even if they should not be teaching.