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SBOE Could Give Schools More Control Over New Exams One question drew cheers from the otherwise grim crowd: If there was no money, would the state still have to roll out STAAR, the new, more rigorous student assessment system? The answer, it turns out,was yes. Now, eight months later, the State Board of Education may try to modify the system in a way that allays school districts’ concerns. Denison ISD Joins School Finance Lawsuit Against State of Texas "We've got a very good case against the state," Dr. Henry Scott said, Denison ISD Superintendent. "Hopefully it will force the legislature to do what's right for schools." Denison, along with 200 other schools, is joining the Equity Center's lawsuit against the State of Texas. The Center claims the public distribution of education funds is unfair. "Some of the richer districts are able to keep a good portion of their money where in our district, we're funded at a very low level," Scott said. Robstown ISD, Sinton ISD latest to join school finance lawsuit As of Wednesday, 250 school districts, collectively known as the Texas Taxpayer & Student Fairness Coalition, supported the lawsuit filed Oct. 10 in a Travis County district court, according to a news release from Austin-based nonprofit Equity Center. The coalition is working with the center, which represents 690 school districts that are mostly considered property poor. Slashing School Funding Many of these districts are outraged that the state slashed $4 billion from education funding, so they are putting their foot down so this does not happen again. “We had to stand up for our kids," Max Thompson, Rising Star ISD Superintendent, said. Rising Star part of the Texas Taxpayer and Student Fairness Coalition, who is suing the state. Round Rock district parents continue to rally against atypical grading system So frustrated by a new system of evaluating and grading students at Round Rock High School, Craig pulled his son and daughter out and enrolled them in a private school. The so-called standards-based grading system that has become a point of controversy in the Round Rock school district over the past few weeks was intended to more accurately reflect achievement and allow teachers to align curriculum, instruction and assessment. The 1-to-4 scale awards emerging learners 1s, developing learners get 2s, those who have gained proficiency get 3s, and advanced achievers get 4s. Judson trustees OK pay-to-ride bus plan Judson trustees approved a pay-to-ride plan Wednesday night that will let more families utilize school buses in exchange for footing the bill. The vote was 6-1, with trustee Richard LaFoille voting no. To save money, Judson had cut bus service to many students who live within two miles of their schools and on routes that aren’t considered too hazardous to walk. But board President Jose Macias said students still routinely walk along roads without sidewalks. “They can go a safer route, but it’s longer,” he said, “and kids will just go the shortest route to get to school.” |