District Administration - December 2008 - (Page 8)

Editor’s Letter The Broad Prize for Urban Education It was a treat to attend the 2008 Broad Prize for Urban Education awards ceremony on October 14. This prize, given annually by the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, is the nation’s largest K12 public education award and is given to five large urban districts that show the greatest overall performance and improvement in student achievement while at the same time reducing income and ethnic achievement gaps. The winner and four finalists hail from the South, close to major ports of entry into Florida, Texas and California. The Brownsville Independent School District in Texas was the winner, with $1 million in college scholarships that will enable 50-65 qualified students to attend college. Hector Gonzales, district superintendent since Eli Broad, right, congratulates 2006 and a soft-spoken native of the Rio Grande Valley, picked up his award to Hector Gonzales, superintendent of the sounds of large cheers, with his board of education and aides by his side. The Brownsville Independent School district serves one of the poorest urban populations in the nation. Ninety-four perDistrict, after Brownsville was cent of its students qualify for free awarded the Broad Prize. 43 percent are ELLs, and 2,000 and reduced-price lunch, 43 percent students cross the border each year are English Language Learners, and more than 2,000 students to begin their education in the district. cross the border from Mexico each year to begin their education in the district. According to the Broad Prize methodology, the district achieved proficiency rates higher than its statewide counterparts at all grade levels in math, and in reading at the elementary level. At the superintendents’ panel before the awards ceremony Gonzales stated, “We’ve changed our belief system. Our teachers know all students can learn, and we accept no excuses.” The four finalists include Aldine (Texas) Independent School District, Broward County (Fla.) Public Schools, MiamiDade County (Fla.) Public Schools, and Long Beach (Calif.) Unified School District. Failure to Meet AYP Ironically, on this same day the Texas Education Agency announced that Brownsville had failed to meet minimum student achievement targets for two years under NCLB. “The spirit of NCLB is good, the intent is great, and we just need to look at how it labels schools and how we fund it,” Gonzales said. But it’s unfortunate that the federal government’s measurement sees the glass as half empty and the Broad Foundation see’s it as half full. Testing needs to be tailored to the individual needs of students, ELLs need to be recognized for the progress they make, and schools cannot be penalized for the tough challenges they face due to a changing population. While the NCLB law is well intentioned, we congratulate Brownsville for making significant improvement against the odds, despite deficits on the federal balance sheet. Note our 4-page section on the TCEA Convention & Exposition on page 60. This state conference, taking place on February 2-6 in Austin, is growing in national importance so much that DA has increased our association with it and we’re recommending that you attend, as it offers a great learning opportunity for administrators who understand the importance of technology in education. Judy Faust Hartnett, Editor jhartnett@districtadministration.com 8 December 2008 District Administration

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of District Administration - December 2008

District Administration - December 2008
Contents
Editor’s Letter
News Update
College Preparatory
Security
Technology
District Profile
Administrator Profile
DA Web Seminars
Desperately Seeking Special Ed Teachers
Special Education’s Challenges
Building the Best Auditorium
Leading the Way
Righting the Writing Process
Sharpening a District’s Leadership Model
TCEA
How Well Does This Web Site Work?
New Products
Problem Solution
Professional Opinion
Research Center
Calendar of Events
Online Edge

District Administration - December 2008