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September 2007 |
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 FOTPS Founders Receive Key Communicators Award
"Schools Falling Further Behind"
DALLAS, TX - Headlines like the one above - and countless others like it misleading readers about Texas public schools -- motivated Scott and Leslie Milder to begin a campaign to set the record straight. Now, three years after founding Friends of Texas Public Schools, the couple is making headlines as recipients of a statewide award for significant contributions to the field of school communications.
Through the non-profit, grassroots organization they created, Scott and Leslie have put together a powerful volunteer team of professional communicators to help change the conversation about Texas public schools, and their efforts are turning heads. The 2007 Key Communicator Award, which is the state's highest honor for effective communications practices in education, is validation of their work.
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Texas Schools are meeting NCLB requirements!
AUSTIN - Eighty-six percent of Texas school districts and 79 percent of the schools met 2007 Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) standards, despite a substantial increase in the performance targets by which they are judged in this federal evaluation system.
This year to earn a label called "Meets AYP," the schools and districts had to test at least 95 percent of their students and at least 60 percent of the students had to pass the reading/English Language Arts test and at least 50 percent had to pass the mathematics exam. This represented a seven-percentage point increase in the reading performance target and an eight-percentage point increase in the math target. Schools and districts can also meet AYP by showing significant performance improvement.
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AP Test Takers Up 49%
AUSTIN - Minority students represented 52 percent of all Advanced Placement (AP) test takers in Texas in 2007, the Texas Education Agency announced Thursday.
High school students who make high scores on AP exams can earn college credit for courses, saving their families thousands of dollars in tuition costs and giving students a head start on a college education.
Figures just released from the College Board, which oversees the AP program, show that 135,130 Texas students took Advanced Placement exams, an increase of 10 percent from 2006 and a 49 percent increase in the last five years. Of that total, 125,526 were public school students.
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2007 Friend of the Year Award Ceremony and Reception
Tom Frost, Senior Chairman of Frost Bank, has demonstrated a legacy of support for public education in Texas and Friends of Texas Public Schools is proudly honoring him for that commitment as its 3rd Annual Texas Public Schools Friend of the Year.
Frost enthusiastically accepted the honor and invitation to attend a reception that will celebrate his many contributions to public education, as well as the collective achievements of Texas public school educators and students. The reception is scheduled for Thursday, November 1st, 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. at the Pearl Brewery Stables in San Antonio. For more details, table sponsorship information or ticket sales please contact Brandie Cleaver at brandie@fotps.org.
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This month's featured sponsor
Charlie Fern Ink, LLC, announces new office, new look, and new ideas to help clients communicate in color
AUSTIN, TX - Everyone's talking about the new fall line. Wouldn't it be great if it was a line you delivered? Former White House speechwriter and communications consultant Charlie Fern is rarely at a loss for words when her clients need inspiration.
"People remember bold ideas and colorful lines," said Ms. Fern. "We help people produce and deliver them. A strong communications consultant has the right mix of ideas and tools to get people talking and keep audiences listening."
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Please welcome our newest Advisory Board Members
Mary Latham
Mary Latham is a veteran educator, recently retired after investing 33 years in the teaching profession. In addition to teaching, Mary spent time as a consultant working closely with new teachers struggling to adapt to the classroom environment. She is married to Thomas Latham, State Representative for District 101, which serves Mesquite, Sunnyvale and Balch Springs on the east side of Dallas County.
Breanda Jean Patrick
Brenda Jean Patrick has been providing educational opportunities for over 15 years. She serves the school districts of Texas through the region 10 Education Service Center while, independently presenting quality training for many distinguished businesses. Her cutting edge approach contributes the needed assistance to establish effective improvement and pursue excellence. Visit her on the web at www.brendajeanpatrick.com.
Howard Blevins
Howard Blevins is a brand management expert with the Richards Group, one of the most established and reputable brand management firms in the United States. Their purpose is to build thier clients' brands and sphere of influence.
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Myth of the month
Source: "Debunking Seven Myths About Public Education" byMolly A. Hunter and Matthew Samberg
Myth #2: NAEP Scores are Flat
Over the past 35 years, black and Hispanic students have both achieved double-digit increases in all grades in both reading and math on NAEP* tests, and achievement gaps have narrowed. How, then, can critics claim that NAEP scores have been flat over those same 35 years? Simpson's Paradox. Simpson's paradox occurs when population shifts hide rising scores. Scores for all subgroups are rising, but the overall average NAEP scores have moved only modestly upward because the lower scoring groups - students of color and students of low-income families - are now a much larger proportion of those being tested. On fourth grade reading tests, for example, black students have improved by 30 points, Hispanic students by 20 points, and white students by 15 points. The "average" increase was only 11 points!
* National Assessment of Educational Progress
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Test your TAKS readiness The following question is taken from the 11th grade TAKS test.
Last Friday a used-car dealer had cars for sale for $600, $690, $695, $710, $725, $850, $995, $995 and $1495. Select the most effective measure to use to convince potential customers that the dealer's prices are very low.
A. Mean
B. Median
C. Mode
D. Range | |
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Remember to forward to coworkers, friends and family!
Friends of Texas Public Schools
Scott Milder, President & Chief Executive
4000 McEwen Road North
Dallas, Texas 75244-5083
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