FWISD - Communications Department: FWIDS Update

FWISD Update
Volume 3, Number 2 - February 2000 General Academic Information

New academic options lead to dual HS-college credits

Nineteen FWISD high school students are on the way to earning dual high school and college credit through new special agreements with Tarrant County College-Northwest (TCC-NW) and Texas Wesleyan University (TWU). Ten students from six high schools are enrolled in a semiconductor manufacturing technology program implemented with TCC-NW; nine others from four high schools are part of a high school senior English and freshman college English program affiliated with TWU's Wesleyan Collegiate Institute. High school students who earn 3.0 or higher on courses that count for college credit, including tech prep, may earn the Distinguished Achievement Program designation on their transcripts if they fulfill a combination of four advanced measures required for DAP. In addition to college work, options include original research, high test scores in Advanced Placement or similar programs, and national recognition based on PSAT scores. A third year of foreign language is also required.

Class-size reduction grant implemented:

Sixty new teachers were hired this fall to improve student achievement in first- through third-grades at 20 elementary schools by reducing the pupil-teacher ratio. The teaching positions were made possible by a $2.5 million Federal Class Size Reduction Grant. Schools were selected to participate based on -

the number of students on the free- and reduced-price lunch program;
Texas Assessment of Academic Skills reading and math scores; and
and the absence of other major instructional interventions, such as the Elementary Schools Initiative.

Children's Health Insurance:

FWISD staff personnel are preparing to support an initiative that will provide health insurance for low-income students who lack coverage or other state health assistance. The state-funded insurance results from FWISD's grassroots efforts to improve basic services for disadvantaged youngsters. During the 76th Legislature, the district encouraged statewide groups, such as the Texas School Alliance, a network of urban school districts, and the Texas Association of School Boards to support the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), sponsored by Fort Worth Sen. Mike Moncrief and subsequently passed by the legislature.
This spring, school principals, nurses, counselors, early childhood staff and central office administrators will provide CHIP information and applications to eligible students, offering them an opportunity to enroll. District staff will work to ensure that all eligible students are aware of the program. Non-profit agencies then will review and process applications.

High academic teachers share talents with wide student group:

A high percentage of Advanced Placement and honors program teachers share their expertise by also teaching students who are not enrolled in advanced academic programs.
Of the 279 high school teachers who are qualified to teach honors or Advanced Placement mathematics, science, English, social studies or foreign language, 86.7 percent also teach typical, or regular, courses.
In high schools with special interest programs,

4.9 percent of the honors or AP teachers in the subjects listed above teach only special interest program
students;
14.6 percent teach classes composed only of greater school students; and
80.5 percent teach a combination of classes that include special interest, greater school or mixed classes (those that include at least one student from either the special interest program and/or greater school).

Evening Counseling helps parents, at-risk students:

Parent evaluations of FWISD's ACCESS evening counseling program report improved behavior at home and higher attendance at school. Nearly twice as many students and parents took advantage of FWISD's After-school Counseling Centered Educational Support Services (ACCESS) program during the first three months of 1999-2000 school year compared to the same period during 1998-1999. A growing number of elementary schools are joining the 26 middle and high schools that offer evening individual and family counseling programs by trained support personnel this year. Designed primarily for seventh- through 12th-graders at risk of alternative placement, the program also offers support services for all students (kindergarten through high school) to promote student achievement.

Students learn to avoid, resolve conflicts:

Lessons in avoiding and resolving conflict are getting increased emphasis in the FWISD, particularly in third- through sixth-grade and ninth-grade health education classes. All health and physical education teachers received special training earlier this year and are routinely using the training to help students practice those skills. Elementary children are studying the importance of demonstrating respect for themselves and others. Secondary students are learning how to resolve conflict and manage anger. Teachers will share their observations and results during a February 4 staff training day. As curriculum is revised this summer, writers will add new strategies and activities on this important subject.

New curriculum to promote cultural understanding:

Approximately 45 teachers will help write curriculum units on multicultural understanding to augment the Culture section of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills for Social Studies (TEKS). The materials will become part of an FWISD resource bank that will also include standard and electronic reference materials, biographies, audio-visuals, classroom posters, and speakers. Schools use a variety of methods to promote cultural awareness, respect and appreciation, including special observances, visual displays, celebrations, guest speakers, performances and public address announcements. FWISD students may also choose middle and high school electives, including -

"Cultural Studies," a middle school course that examines the meaning of culture and how such variables as race, class and gender influence a society's beliefs, attitudes and ways of life, and
"Special Topics in Social Studies: American Culture Studies," a high school course designed to develop appreciation and respect for cultural diversity and contributions made by cultural or ethnic groups to the American experience.

Check out our new web site:

Information about the FWISD is available on-line at fortworthisd.org. Sponsored by the Greater Fort Worth Association of Realtors, the new site offers links to the Texas Education Agency and the Fort Worth Chamber of Commerce
as well as the Realtors group.

This information provided by
FORT WORTH ISD - Office of Communications
100 North University Drive
Fort Worth, TX 76107-1360
817-871-2455

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