Re: [Phys-l] Successful Schools

["John Clement" <clement@hal-pc.org>]

I have absolutely not idea why any schools would score 100%.  One thing I do
know is that the district has a fixed curriculum that must be met in 6 week
segments in HS.  Then the students are "evaluated" at the end of each 6
weeks.  The evaluations are not very good and have flawed questions.

I would like to see an independent evaluation of students at these schools
to see if the results are real.  That is I would like to have independently
administered tests where the teachers do not have access to the materials.
There are too many cases of cheating on this type of test.  One school was
caught because they detected erasures on the scantrons.  I do not recall
which school, and which district this was in.

And yes the standards are low with often flawed questions on tests.  But
that being said, I have no idea how they are doing it.  From what I have
seen of the teaching in HISD, it is a wonder that students learn as much as
they do.  Old copies of test questions are online.  I did hear some reports
about some good teachers in elementary school who were using inquiry
methods.  I could contact someone who might have more information, and this
discussion could be continued offline.

John M. Clement
Houston, TX


> John (and anyone else who may have an insider's knowledge of Houston
> schools);
>
> I am applying for grants to travel the country and document schools that
> are
> having outstanding success in science despite challenging demographics.  I
> hope to interview individuals, walk through classrooms, and study data and
> then share that information via executive summary, videos, and websites to
> anyone who is interested.
>
> There happens to be a rash of these amazing schools in the Houston ISD.  I
> don't have the data in front of me, but I remember one such school is
> Crawford Elementary School.  CES is 100% Hispanic and African American,
> 100%
> free lunch, and 40+% English Learners and achieved 100% proficiency on the
> state science test!
>
> One could argue that Texas' standards are easy, cut scores are low, or
> exams
> are aimed at a low level, but if that were the case, then all of the
> schools
> in Texas would have 100% proficiency . . . and they don't.
>
> What I'm hoping is that you have some insight into what these Houston
> Schools might be doing to achieve such success.  I remember Crawford
> Elementary, Energized for Excellence Middle School, and a charter high
> school were in the group.  There were about 4 other elementary schools
> with
> similar success too.
>
> Any insight?  I have already studied the standards, cut scores, released
> test questions, average class size, teacher experience, and per-pupil
> spending and they are all very similar to California's.  I don't think
> that
> we have a school in the state with 100% proficiency, even in Beverly Hills
> or the OC.
>
> I picked on John because his email signature hails from Houston, but
> anyone
> else with insight is welcome to comment.  Or if you know of a school like
> this in another state and have some insight into their keys to success,
> I'd
> appreciate that information as well.
>
> Thanks in advance,
> M. Horton
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: "John Clement" <clement@hal-pc.org>
> To: "'Forum for Physics Educators'" <phys-l@carnot.physics.buffalo.edu>
> Sent: Monday, February 02, 2009 11:42 PM
>
>
>
> John M. Clement
> Houston, TX
>
>
>
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