HoustonChronicle.com - HISD eyes solutions to dropout problem

[vs <victor.steinbok@verizon.net>(by way of Victor Steinbok <victor.steinbok@verizon.net>)]

If Stripling claimed, when the NYT story floated, there is no problem, why 
are they looking for a solution? More of the usual lies? [A rhetorical 
question, of course.]

        VS-)

http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/printstory.mpl/metropolitan/2428309

March 2, 2004, 6:30AM



HISD eyes solutions to dropout problem

By JO ANN ZUÑIGA
Copyright 2004 Houston Chronicle

The Houston Independent School District should standardize procedures for 
reporting dropouts, begin "significant sampling" of data collected from 
individual campuses each year and call in external auditors when necessary 
to prevent another reporting scandal like the one that hit Sharpstown High 
School a year ago, according to a state monitor's report released Monday.

"This approach should be institutionalized so that personal abilities play 
a lesser role than the system itself," one recommendation reads.

"All personnel involved in the process should be properly trained in the 
adopted procedures," another reads. "The training should be standardized."

The report by Marvin Crawford, assigned by the Texas Education Agency seven 
months ago to investigate HISD, also faults the district for not doing 
enough to prevent failing students from quitting school in the first place. 
Crawford said HISD could provide tutors and utilize technology to make it 
more convenient for potential dropouts to make up failed courses.

"There are limited opportunities for students to catch up in classes 
they've failed," he said. "But they're not extensive enough."

HISD has few alternatives to summer school and after-school programs to 
make up coursework, although technology exists to allow, for example, 
students to make up work online. That would be more convenient for students 
who have to work or cannot otherwise attend summer or after-school programs.

Yet HISD provides this option in only a few schools, a district spokesman 
said.

Crawford, who visited 15 HISD campuses that lost their exemplary or 
acceptable state ratings for reporting bogus dropout figures, said such 
options should be extended districtwide.

"I'm not advocating any particular program," he said. "But there are 
virtual online classes, technological and tutoring classes. That is what 
will make the Houston district a success."

Superintendent Kaye Stripling -- who last month estimated that 30 percent 
to 40 percent of HISD ninth-graders do not eventually graduate -- said the 
district is "very, very proud" of the improvements of "our dropout 
reporting systems." She acknowledged that "generally we strongly agree with 
(Crawford's) recommendations that HISD continue to make the same kind of 
substantial progress."

Stripling also agreed that more must be done to help students make up 
classes they've failed.

"Finding ways to help students get the credits they need to graduate must 
be a top priority," she said.

Crawford's report, given to HISD officials on Monday, was prompted by the 
revelation that Sharpstown High had reported a dropout rate of zero for the 
2001-02 school year. The ensuing investigation led the TEA to strip HISD of 
its "acceptable" rating.

Crawford said the TEA will not consider whether to restore the rating until 
after another team of auditors arrives March 22. Until then, the rating 
remains "academically acceptable: special accreditation investigation."

As part of its internal investigation, HISD disciplined several Sharpstown 
administrators, including assistant principal Robert Kimball, for not 
adequately overseeing computer technician Kenneth Cuadra in counting its 
dropout rate. Cuadra is appealing his reprimand, saying he was following 
his supervisors' orders in reporting a zero dropout rate.

State Rep. Rick Noriega, D-Houston, whose complaint with TEA led to the 
investigation, and Kimball, now an elementary school assistant principal, 
said Monday that the problem obviously went beyond one school.

"This report demonstrates that it is an institutional problem within the 
school district and not the fault of one computer clerk," Noriega said. "I 
am pleased with the state's investigation but frustrated by the district's 
denial of districtwide fabrication. I resent our children falling through 
the cracks."

Kimball agreed.

"If the TEA monitor wasn't here checking on stuff, nothing would have 
changed," he said.

Kimball said other districts send school officials to fast-food restaurants 
to get dropouts working there to consider returning to school instead of 
sticking with minimum-wage jobs.

"A districtwide dropout recovery program is needed to enroll them back in 
school," Kimball said. "The district wanted the public and business 
community to take care of the dropout problem. But it will take all of us."

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is: http://www.chron.com/cs/CDA/story.hts/metropolitan/2428309