Teachers Win State Honors

Allana Patterson, counselor at Irving High School, and Debra Johnson, health science technology teacher at The Academy of Irving ISD, were named state award winners by their respective professional organizations.

Patterson was selected as 2008 High School Counselor of the Year by the Texas School Counselor Association (TSCA). Her nomination was chosen among professional school counselors from across Texas and she will be recognized at the TSCA annual professional development conference November 7 in Houston.

Johnson was named Area Five Teacher of the Year by the Texas Health Occupations Association (THOA). She was recognized alongside other Texas area Teachers of the Year during the THOA conference in July.

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Poll Gives Americans’ Grade for Education

The annual Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup Poll of the public’s attitudes toward public schools was released in August. The poll’s highlights include: America’s view of the most education-friendly presidential candidate, overall opinion of American quality of education, education funding and education legislation.

Among the 1,002 completed interviews of adults age 18 and over, findings indicated that 22 percent of Americans gave U.S. public schools a grade of A or B. Americans indicated they believe the next president should turn to education leaders, instead of political or business leaders, in developing policy for public schools. The poll indicated that 46 percent believe Senator Barak Obama would be the candidate to strengthen the public schools compared to 29 percent for Senator John McCain. Twenty-five percent of Americans polled stated they “don’t know” which candidate would be more supportive of public education.

Fewer than two out of 10 Americans said they believe No Child Left Behind legislation should continue without significant reform and most Americans believe education standards should be set by state-level leaders.

On the issue of school funding, Americans indicated for the sixth consecutive year that lack of funding for public schools tops the list of problems. The largest group – 37 percent of Americans – said they think school funding should come from federal taxes, and 46 percent said local school boards should decide what is taught. Forty-four percent are in favor of allowing students and parents to choose a private school to attend at public expense, a feeling sharply divided by political party at 33 percent of democrats and 54 percent of republicans. Seventy percent of Americans said it is very likely they’ll be able to pay their child’s college tuition.

For the complete Phi Delta Kappa/Gallup poll results, access: www.pdkintl.org/kappan/kpollpdf.htm

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Environmental Website Highlights IISD

Greenrightnow.com, a website focused toward an environmentally safe lifestyle, has posted an article highlighting certain efforts within Irving ISD. The article mentions natural cleaners the district is implementing, and pest control efforts with decreased use of chemicals and increased use of proactive prevention measures.

To read the entire article, access: http://www.greenrightnow.com/2008/09/04/schools-get-clean-green-slate-for-fall.

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Enrollment Ahead of Projections

IISD enrollment reached 33,060 on Monday, outpacing the 2008-2009 projected peak enrollment by 296 but below the day 10 enrollment from last year by 25 students.

Projected peak enrollment for this school year is 32,764 and is not expected to be reached until the third or fourth week of September. Peak enrollment last year was reached on September 25 with 33,189 students enrolled. Compared to the 10^th class day in 2007-2008, elementary enrollment has decreased by 145 students; middle school has decreased by 33; and high school enrollment has increased by 141 students. As of Monday, the two grades with the largest student populations district-wide are first grade with 2,710 and ninth grade with 2,940 students enrolled.

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