A Phi Delta Kappa poll conducted by Gallup shows that Americans generally give reasonably high marks to public education, and that lack of funding is seen as schools’ biggest challenge.

The poll, released yesterday, sampled about 1,000 adults of differing ages, races, religions and income levels. It found that 47 percent of those polled gave public schools a grade of A or B. Among parents, 61 percent gave grades of A or B.

Lack of financial support continues to be the perceived major problem facing schools with 21 percent of respondents holding that opinion. No other problem (discipline, crowding, drugs, etc.) exceeded 10 percent.

However, most of those polled expect schools to take the lead in closing achievement gaps. Though 74 percent of them recognize that schools did not create such gaps, 56 percent say it is the responsibility of schools to close it.

This is the 36th annual poll sponsored by Phi Delta Kappa. A detailed report on the research can be accessed at www.pdkintl.org.

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The Irving ISD website has won another award. The American Association of Webmasters award gold, silver and bronze awards to "webmasters and designers who have shown outstanding achievement in web design content and creativity."

This year, irvingisd.net received a gold award.

"We see all the hard work and dedication that you put into constructing your website," wrote Dana Snyder, AAWA’s chief executive officer. "Your site displays excellent design and layout with quality content and informative information for your visitors."

The district's webmaster is Bob Harmon.

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The IISD Benefits Office will hold a final informational meeting for new or returning teachers and paraprofessionals this evening, August 26, from 5 to 7 p.m. in the second floor training rooms at the Administration Building.

The enrollment period for health insurance ends August 31.

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The Migrant Education Program hosted an Academic Back to School Fair for migrant students August 7 at the Language Testing Center.

IISD Health Services personnel provided hearing and vision screenings, and community partners provided 188 students with prepackaged school supplies, uniform and shoe vouchers, backpacks, books and reference materials.

Migrant Program Facilitator Lydia Espinosa coordinated the event.

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For 2004-2005, the Irving YMCA will sponsor after-school programs at four IISD elementary schools: Johnston, Lively, Townley and Townsell.

YWCA will sponsor after-school care at Thomas Haley Elementary School.

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Most IISD schools will host a "Meet the Teacher" night in the next few weeks to give parents an opportunity to talk with their students’ teachers and other school staff. Several schools have already hosted such events. Below is a partial list of upcoming events.

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The First Lady’s Literacy Initiative for Texas awarded a $25,000 grant to the district’s HIPPY (Home Instruction for Parents of Preschool Youngsters) Program. The program is one of 10 in the state to receive the grant.

Launched in Austin in 1996 by Laura Bush, the First Lady’s Family Literacy Initiative has awarded almost $2 million to create or expand family literacy programs. To date, thousands of families have benefited from participation in these innovative programs in 58 Texas cities.

The HIPPY program will use the grant to provide opportunities for adults to improve their own literacy and, at the same time, become a literacy role model for their children.

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Hanes Elementary School has been given $10,000 from corporate partner Capital One for its literacy and reading emphasis this year.

The money will be used for staff development, a literacy day event, a Reading Together program, and reading nights with parents.

Capital One is also hosting Hanes staff development workshops at their Las Colinas offices and providing lunch, snacks and a presentation.