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Keep in touch with us this summer. Read Leslie Milder's new blog! Add us to your website:
Miss Information
The facts and misconceptions of public education through the eyes of an educator, mom, and proud product of public schools. ~ by Kristen Escovedo
 I am a nerd. I attempt to hide it with a trendy shade of lip gloss and my superfly dance moves, but the truth is I have always been and will always be a nerd. Nowhere does my nerdiness bubble to the surface more than back to school time standing in the middle of the school supply aisle. Surrounded by the scent of college ruled paper, the sights of neatly stacked folders, graphing calculators, and highlighters in every color imaginable, I am instantly transformed into a metal mouthed, four-eyed, frizzy haired twelve year old girl who sits in the front row of honors' English with her hand up before the teacher has even asked the question.
Kristen is a writer and a speaker who believes it's no use having something incredible to say if everyone is too bored to listen. Find out how she can bring her passion for effective communication, humor, and life to your organization by visiting kristenescovedo.com.
Help us tell your story!
Don't forget we depend on your generosity to continue to share our positive messages about our public schools with people across the state in an effective manner, through our billboard campaign, posters, monthly newsletter, presentations, and staff development trainings, to highlight a few.
Please consider giving generously a tax-deductible contribution to our non-profit organization. Donations are accepted by credit card through our website, or by check made payable to Friends of Texas Public Schools and mailed to P. O. Box 1568, Rockwall, Texas, 75087. |
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| Friends Founder Leslie Milder challenges condemning Dallas Morning News report published on the eve of the first day of school
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85% of Texas schools meet NCLB challenge
 Seventy-eight percent of Texas school districts and 85 percent of schools met the Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) standards required by the annual federal evaluation system, the Texas Education Agency announced today.
This year, 962 districts met AYP standards, compared to 1,000 districts or 81 percent last year. A substantial increase in the AYP standards caused this slight decline.
For the 2010 ratings, 73 percent of the total students and the student groups must pass the reading Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) and 67 percent must pass the mathematics TAKS to earn the "Meets AYP" label. In the 2008-2009 school year, the passing standards were 67 percent for reading and 58 percent for mathematics.
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Friend of the Year Celebration
 December 8, 2010
Frontiers of Flight Museum
in Dallas
5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
We are honoring Darryl Scott, Founder of Rachel's Challenge, a character education program inspired by his daughter who was the first victim at Columbine High School. Rachel's challenge is rapidly becoming the premiere character education program in the U.S., recently sweeping into more than 40 school districts in Texas.
For more information on this program visit www.rachelschallenge.com... And watch our website at www.fotps.org for event details. Please contact Amber Fulton at afulton@fotps.org for sponsorship information. |
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2010 Texas TAKS Results
 The Texas Education Agency has announced that 239 school districts and 2,624 schools received Texas' highest accountability rating of Exemplary.
To earn this rating, at least 90 percent of a district's or school's students passed the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS), 95 percent of high school students either graduated on time or continued high school for a fifth year, and the district had an annual middle school dropout rate of 1.8 percent or less. A district or campus could earn this rating by meeting the absolute standards or by using the Texas Projection Measure (TPM) or exceptions. Special measures can only be used to move up one rating category.
The second highest rating of Recognized was received by 597 districts and 3,153 schools. |
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Texas math and science ACT scores increase; composite score holds at record level
 Texas members of the Class of 2010 have earned the highest mathematics and science scores posted on the ACT in the past decade, even as the number of test takers rose by 12 percent this year.
"This is a remarkable achievement for our high school graduates in Texas," says Scott Milder, President of Friends of Texas Public Schools. Achieving record highs in spite of a substantial increase in the percentage of test takers is evidence that our educators in Texas are getting the job done. Students are rising to the higher stakes math and science expectations."
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Energy Tip of the Month brought to you by FOTPS Sponsor, Schneider Electric
 Did you know that up to a 15% increase in productivity can be achieved through improved temperature control?
A recent study from the International Center for Indoor Environment and Energy found that student performance increased as outdoor air supply rates increased. The optimal way to achieve this is by using modern technology to control your heating ventilation and air conditioning equipment. For more information, click on the Schneider Electric logo.
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Our Mission
The mission of Friends of Texas Public Schools, the leading voice of optimism and hope for our public school family, is to ensure positive and constructive conversation about public schools by educating Texans through honest communication, productive dialogue, and relentless encouragement.
Please share our optimism for public education, pass us along to others.
Friends of Texas Public Schools
Scott Milder, President & Chief Executive
P.O. Box 1568
Rockwall, TX 75087
Phone: 214-497-6411
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