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Chuck and Gena Norris named 2011 Texas Public Schools Friend of the Year 

SAVE THE DATE!
Wednesday, November 30, 2011
Frontiers of Flight Museum
in Dallas
5:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
 
 

Friends of Texas Public Schools proudly honors Chuck and Gena Norris as the recipients of the 7th annual Texas Public Schools Friend of the Year award. The Norris's are founders of Kickstart Kids, a program offered through Texas public schools whose mission is to build strong moral character in our youth through martial arts. "The Norris's have created a program that is making a dramatically positive impact in our public schools," says Scott Milder, president and CEO of Friends of Texas Public Schools. "They have chosen to invest their energies in strengthening the public school experience for Texas children and we are delighted to recognize them for their efforts." Visit www.kick-start.org to learn more about Kickstart Kids and the benefits it could have for your students.

                                                                          

Interested in sponsoring and/or attending the dinner celebration on November 30th? Email Amber Fulton, Director of Programs and Development at Friends of Texas Public Schools, at afulton@fotps.org . Event details available soon at www.fotps.org.

ACT math scores in Texas hit record high

The Class of 2011 posted a record-high math score on the ACT college entrance exam, a clear sign that Texas' rigorous graduation requirements are producing results.  

 

This class was the first group of students to follow the so-called four-by-four graduation plan, which requires four years of high school study in mathematics, English, science and social studies.  They were also required to earn a total of 26 course credits in order to graduate.  

 

The Texas average score on the ACT mathematics exam reached 21.5 out of a possible score of 36.  That 0.7 point increase since 2007 is considered a phenomenal increase in scores, and is higher than the national score of 21.1.  In comparison, the national average math score increased 0.1 points over the same time period.

 

 Read on...

 

Andy Welch, member of the Friends of Texas Public Schools board of directors

Dear Texas Parent:
 

We would like to tell you that we are excited about the start of the upcoming school year.  But that would not be entirely true.
 

This past summer, the Texas Legislature cut $4 billion in overall funding for public education, and the impact will be felt in classrooms across the state.  Regardless, we pledge to provide your child with the best education possible, in a clean, safe school.
 

This will be a challenge in a state that previously ranked 44th in funding for public education, and is now likely to fall even lower among the 50 states.