2011-09

Edcouch-Elsa High School sits in the middle of a field at the intersection of Farm to Market Road 88 and Mile 20, deep in the heart of the Lower Rio Grande Valley. All but two percent of its students are economically disadvantaged; 70% are considered officially “at risk” by the Texas Education Agency. All of the students are Hispanic; more than a third are just learning English.

The school ranks in the bottom third of Texas high schools, according to Schooldigger.com, and it certainly has never merited a mention on the coveted “America’s Best High Schools” list published each year by Newsweek and The Washington Post.

But that isn’t stopping it from copying what those schools do well.

The University of Maryland’s College of Education has surveyed numerous scholarly articles and studies to determine the main characteristics of “effective schools”. The college has designated 13 criteria that parents can use to see whether their child’s school is on its way to greatness. If you go to http://www.education.umd.edu/k-16/effectiveSchools/criteria.html#Mission, you can read the various source documents for each criterion, which explain why it is important and what it does for student achievement.

Things have changed since my mom sent me off to school decked in bad plaid, schlepping a generic bookbag and a brown sack with a warm tuna sandwich. Mmm, ecoli! It's what's for lunch. (I don't mean to be all braggy, but my immune system rules.) There were no cutesy Pottery Barn backpacks, L.L. Bean insulated reusable sandwich bags, and fancy freezer packs to be found. Only the strong survived.

After months of construction and growing excitement, the Boy Scouts’ brand new Frank Fickett Scout Training and Service Center is open for business!

Crocket High School has been named a national “High School That Works”.

If you work for the City of Austin, or are related to someone who does, get out your paintbrushes: the city needs your art!

VSA Texas has once again partnered with the National Arts Program to spotlight the art of Austin city employees and their family members.

What do Lance Armstrong and Austin Mayor Lee Leffingwell have in common? The Down Syndrome Association of Central Texas annual “Share the Passion” calendar!

Get those running shoes ready and prepare to help save lives at the 2010 Susan G. Komen Austin Race for the Cure!