Latest Pflugerville ISD News
Pflugerville Education Foundation Distributes Over $35,000 in Innovative Teaching Grants
Forty-eight teachers from 14 campuses across the District were treated to a surprise visit from the Pflugerville Education Foundation (PEF) Grant Prize Posse on Friday, when Foundation members, District leaders and top donors handed out over $35,000 in innovative teaching grants. Over 7,500 students will be directly impacted by the grants.
 |
| The Kelly Lane "Click For Success" grant proposal from Curtis Seiferman, Gina Brown, Wes Hoermann, Scott Akers was awarded $2,250 |
The grant applications were reviewed by Grant Committee members in a blind process, ensuring each grant application received fair consideration. The committee was comprised of PEF board members and PISD curriculum and instruction staff. Since forming in 2006, PEF has contributed over $120,000 for the Innovative Teaching Grant Program.
The Pflugerville Education Foundation is a non-profit organization created by local business and community leaders to make a positive impact on public education. An independent Board of Directors, comprised of business and community leaders, parents and alumni in the Greater Pflugerville community, governs the Foundation. In addition to the Innovative Teaching Grants, PEF also supports the annual Teacher of the Year Program, and the KICKSTART Martial Arts Program.
| Campus | Title | Other Team Members | Funded Amount |
|---|---|---|---|
| Brookhollow | Recorder Karate, a Music Incentive Program | Rebecca Dittmar | $978.00 |
| Brookhollow | Dig In and G.R.O.W. (Garden, Recycle, and Observe Wildlife) | Susan Tyson, Margaret Danforth, Steven Brock, Greg Ford | $1,749.00 |
| Connally High School | Labquest: Key to 21st Century Labs | Loreni Kerecman, Cristina Davis | $2,894.00 |
| Connally High School | Our Future's So Bright We've Got to Play Jeopardy! | Patricia Smith, Kelly Neal, Liza Keurth, Mary Morrow, Deidra Haun | $1,080.00 |
| Connally High School | Navigating Through Mathematics | Vince Vizcaino, Charles Parr | $2,635.00 |
| Delco Primary | Kindle for Kindergartners | Kimberly Cannaday, Tekisha Scott | $2,887.00 |
| Dessau Middle | "ACE Being a Pro" - A Tiered Advisory Program for Student Support | Shari Jones, Dawn Varra, Alicia Cochran, Pamela Womack, Linda Kaiser | $2,983.00 |
| Hendrickson High | Environmental Science Field Research Kits | Hugh Whitted | $1,493.00 |
| Kelly Lane | Click For Success | Curtis Seiferman, Gina Brown, Wes Hoermann, Scott Akers | $2,250.00 |
| Kelly Lane | Learning Snapshots: Instant Assessments to Guide Instruction | Tami Lemire | $1,500.00 |
| Murchison | Mindstorming Our Way Into the Future | Cheryl Peterson, Sandy Drum | $2,825.00 |
| Park Crest | Individualized Math Instruction | Louisa Acosta, Brenda Brown | $1,955.00 |
| Parmer Lane | Centering Around Art | Rena McElroy | $1,376.00 |
| Pflugerville High School | T3 (Teachers Teaching Teachers) | Krista Covar, Kermit Ward, Angela Barnes | $1,045.00 |
| Pflugerville Middle School | Hands-On Engaged Math Learners! | Sharene Rysavy, Carol Ann McDonald, Kellie Dowell | $1,857.00 |
| Rowe Lane | Please, Help Me Open the Door! | Christi Layton, Alana Scherer | $1,453.00 |
| Spring Hill | Words Under Rap - Word Up | Rachel Thompson, Misti Taylor, Marjorie Ruiz, Sanjuana Rocha, Mary Wallace, Mary Switzer, Pam Shellenberger | $2,900.00 |
| Windermere Primary | Multicultural Puppet Pals | Lily Truong | $1,241.00 |
All HHS Sub Varsity Football Games Canceled
All Hendrickson High School sub varsity football games scheduled for tonight have been canceled. Schools in the Fort Hood area are on lockdown as police are still trying to apprehend one or more gunman involved in a shooting at Fort Hood.
Hendrickson High School Band Advances to UIL State Marching Contest
The Hendrickson Hawk Band earned a trip to the Nov. 3 State Marching Contest with a first place finish at the area marching contest on Oct. 24. It will compete against the top 24 4A bands from across the state at 3:30 p.m. at the Alamodome in San Antonio. A top ten score will earn the band a place in the finals later Tuesday night.
Good Luck Hawks!
Pflugerville Independent School District Ranks No. 12 On EPA's Top 20 K-12 Schools List Of Green Power Purchasers
Pflugerville Independent School District announced it appears on the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA's) new Top 20 K-12 Schools List of the largest green power purchasers among primary and secondary schools. Pflugerville Independent School District is purchasing nearly 1 million kilowatt-hours (kWh) of green power annually, which is enough green power to meet 3 percent of the school's purchased electricity use. Pflugerville Independent School District is buying utility green power from Austin Energy.
The Top 20 K-12 Schools List, which debuted on October 26, is one of ten Top Partner Lists that EPA releases quarterly, highlighting some of America's largest green power purchasers. Pflugerville Independent School District currently ranks No. 12 on EPA's Top 20 K-12 Schools List. All of EPA's Top Partner Lists are available at http://www.epa.gov/greenpower/toplists/.
"This is a huge honor and we are proud to be recognized by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency," said Bill Clayton, Executive Director of Facilities and Support Services. "We believe we have an obligation to the Pflugerville community and especially to our students to invest in their future and to ensure we do everything within our power to be part of the solution when it comes to the environment."
Green power is electricity that is generated from environmentally preferable renewable resources, such as wind, solar, geothermal, biogas, biomass and low-impact hydro. These resources generate electricity with a net zero increase in carbon dioxide emissions, while offering a superior environmental profile compared to traditional power generation sources. Green power purchases also support the development of new renewable energy generation sources nationwide.
"These schools get an A plus for their efforts to reduce their carbon footprint," said Gina McCarthy, EPA's Assistant Administrator for Air and Radiation. "By using green power, Pflugerville Independent School District is teaching by example how to be green."
According to the U.S. EPA, Pflugerville Independent School District's green power purchase of nearly 1 million kWh is equivalent to avoiding the carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions of more than 100 passenger vehicles per year, or is the equivalent amount of electricity needed to power more than 100 average American homes annually.
About EPA's Green Power Partnership
The Green Power Partnership is a voluntary program that encourages organizations to buy green power as a way to reduce the environmental impacts associated with purchased electricity use. The Partnership currently has more than 1,000 Partner organizations voluntarily purchasing billions of kilowatt-hours of green power annually. Partners include a wide variety of leading organizations such as Fortune 500 companies, small and medium sized businesses, local, state, and federal governments, and colleges and universities. For additional information, please visit http://www.epa.gov/greenpower.
Hands-On Finance for Connally Teens
A+ Federal Credit Union Opens for Business on Connally High School Campus
A+ Federal Credit Union (A+FCU) will open its newest branch at Connally High School at the beginning of the 2010-11 school year. The new location inside Connally's main entrance, at 13212 North Lamar, will be staffed by three part-time student tellers working at the branch as a part of the Credit Union's internship program, for which they will receive school credit.
Although most basic transactions will be conducted by these interns, an experienced supervisor will oversee office operations and conduct account opening and loan processes. In addition to serving Connally High School students and staff, the branch will also be open to the public.
"This on-campus branch will allow us to become even more involved in the financial education of our youth membership," Pflugerville Branch Manager Irma Longoria said.
Longoria is a long-time member of the Pflugerville Education Foundation and was awarded Murchison Elementary School's Business Partner of the Year during the 2008-'09 school year. She looks forward to strengthening the Credit Union's longstanding partnership with PISD.
"We've been offering teacher training, elementary school deposit days, and classroom presentations for years, but this new location helps reinforce our commitment to financial literacy and to the Pflugerville community."
Notice for Credit by Examination Grades 6 –12
Registration Deadline
October 30, 2009
Testing Dates
The testing window for these exams is November 30th to December 11, 2009. Please check with your child's campus for specific testing dates during this window. This administration is for acceleration in courses/grades to be taken during the 2010-2011 school year (SY).
Location
Campus where participating student is enrolled.
To Apply
Applications and information are available above or from your school counselor.
Purpose
Credit by Exam for acceleration is for students who have had no prior instruction in the course for which the tests are desired. These are rigorous assessments that thoroughly test the student's knowledge of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills of the course or grade level. Students must meet the 90% standard on each assessment in order to receive credit for a course.
More Information
Visit the PISD Assessment page for more information.
Superintendent of Schools Charles Dupre's Contract Extended
The Pflugerville Board of Trustees on Thursday extended Superintendent of Schools Charles Dupre's contract through the 2012-13 school year.
The Pflugerville Board of Trustees voted unanimously at its Oct. 8 workshop meeting to extend the contract of Superintendent of Schools Charles Dupre through the 2012-13 school year. Dupre's contract, which was set to expire June 30, 2010, will now be extended to June 30, 2013.
"The Board is confident in Mr. Dupre's continued leadership of Pflugerville ISD," Board of Trustees President Dr. Carol Fletcher said. "Under his guidance the District has seen steady improvement in student achievement, and has maintained strong community and staff support."
Dupre's salary of $178,511 was not increased. The District will reimburse Dupre for education expenses related to a doctoral program in public school administration, to be completed before Dec. 31, 2012. The education expenses will not exceed $10,000 per year, or $30,000 total. The contract also allows Dupre an additional 15 days of personal leave to attend classes related to the pursuit of his doctorate. The District will no longer contribute $5,000 per year to an annuity, which was a term of Dupre's previous contract.
"I often tell our staff members how blessed I am to be a part of Pflugerville ISD, and I am thankful the Board continues to be pleased with the direction of the District," Dupre said. "I believe we've built a strong group of teacher leaders, assistant principals, principals and central administration staff members who are capable of continuing the District's upward trajectory. I am thrilled to be leading such an outstanding District, and appreciative for the support our community consistently shows PISD."
Dupre has led Pflugerville ISD as Superintendent of Schools since July 2006. He came to Pflugerville from Fort Bend ISD, where he served as Associate Superintendent and Chief Financial Officer.
Pflugerville ISD Community Forum Scheduled for Oct. 29
Topics will include school finance, budget planning for next year and an opportunity for stakeholders to ask questions to District officials
Pflugerville Superintendent of Schools Charles Dupre and other District leaders will present information on the state of Pflugerville ISD, including an update on student achievement, a look at school finance and discussion about the budget process for the District, at a community forum on Oct. 29 at the District administration building. The forum begins at 7 p.m.
"Each year we host two community forums, one in the fall and one in the spring, so we can share information with stakeholders and to give them an opportunity to share information with us," Dupre said. "Our presentation will focus on an overall 'state of the District' update, as well as discussion about school finance and PISD's budget process for next year. We value this opportunity to speak with staff and community members and hear their feedback on the District's direction."
The PISD administration building is located at 1401 W. Pecan in Pflugerville. Call Rhonda Pegoda at 512-594-0090 for more information. To submit questions in advance, please e-mail communications@pflugervilleisd.net.
Leaving chalkboards in the dust:
Area schools use federal money to install digital whiteboards
Some Central Texas schools are giving classroom chalkboards a high-tech update.
The Round Rock, Leander, Pflugerville, Bastrop and San Marcos districts, along with the KIPP Austin and University of Texas charter schools, were awarded $1 million in federal stimulus money to buy digital whiteboards, made by Promethean, an international company with U.S. offices in Georgia.
"We're trying to educate 21st-century children, so we have to step up our use of technology to educate them," Pflugerville Superintendent Charles Dupre said. "We don't know what the future looks like, but we do know it will be technology-rich."
Connally Hosts African American Men and Boys Conference
Connally High School is hosting the 33rd African American Men and Boys Conference/Women and Girls Conference on Oct. 10. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. in the CHS cafeteria. This year's conference focuses on the crossroad of urban education, past and present. President of ARAMARK Education Dennis Maple is the keynote speaker.
Workshop sessions are planned for students and adults. The conference is free, and refreshments and door prizes will be provided.
For more information, contact Michael Lofton at 512-585-6696 or mrloftontalkshow@att.net.
Plan Ahead! PISD Football the Hottest Tickets in Town
Pflugerville ISD is home to outstanding sports teams, and some of the most sought-after football tickets in town are for the District's three high schools. Already this season game after game has been sell outs for the Connally Cougars, Hendrickson Hawks and Pflugerville Panthers.
With this in mind, Pflugerville ISD reminds fans that the only way to ensure the best seats in the stadium is to buy tickets in advance and plan to arrive early for the game. Advance tickets will only be sold Monday through Thursday at each high school for their game that week. Game day ticket sales are available on a first come basis at the main gate and the game likely will sell out early.
The District will only sell the number of tickets that the stadium stands will hold. When capacity is reached on the home side (total advance and gate sales), fans wishing to enter the stadium will be directed to the visitor side to buy tickets there and must remain on their assigned side of the stadium throughout the game.
Once the home side is full, only fans that purchased advance tickets still will be allowed in on the home side. There are different tickets for the home and visitor sides of the stadium. When possible, the District will designate a "home" section on the visitor side for overflow. Anyone who leaves the stadium for any reason must pay to re-enter; this includes season ticket holders, students, and volunteers.
The District asks fans to help keep the games safe and enjoyable for everyone by parking only in designated areas, keeping the aisles and walkways clear, leaving umbrellas at home and following the directions of faculty, staff and law enforcement on site. No outside food or drink may be brought into the stadium.
As a reminder, PISD students must show their Student Identification or a copy of their class schedule, along with their ticket, to enter the home side of the stadium. District staff must show their identification and have a ticket to enter the game. Loitering will not be permitted before, during, or after the game in the parking lot or on any District property.
By working together, District staff and fans can keep Pflugerville ISD football the best game in town.
For PHS tickets, call 594-0550; for CHS tickets, call 594-0850; and for HHS tickets, call 594-1150 to find out the times that tickets are sold at each campus.
HHS Places 2nd at Anderson Forensic Tournament
Members of the HHS Speech & Debate team recently competed at the Anderson High School Texas Forensic Association Tournament. The team brought home the 2nd Place Sweepstakes trophy, beating out over 20 other schools including Westwood, Westlake, A&M Consolidated, Georgetown and McNeil. Individuals placing at the tournament are as follows:
Student Congress
Lindsey Butler, 3rd Place
James Saunders, 4th Place
Robbie McMorris, 7th Place
Sarah Overheim, 9th Place
Foreign Extemp
Meghan Overheim, 5th Place
Maggie Solice, Semifinals
Sheyda Aboii, Semifinals
Domestic Extemp
James Saunders, 2nd Place
Lindsey Butler, 5th Place
Novice Extemp
Adrian Chavez, 2nd Place
Pedro Segura, 3rd Place
Draken Dubose, 4th Place
Andrew Barron, 5th Place
Kilen Seeker, 6th Place
Trevor Kahlbau, Semifinals
Jordan Kahlbau, Semifinals
CX Debate
Maggie Solice & Meghan Overheim, Quarterfinals
Sheyda Aboii, 2nd Place Speaker
Novice CX Debate
Kilen Seeker & Joel Trott, 1st Place
Pedro Segura & Carson Harmonson, 2nd Place
Tasha Lane & Draken Dubose, 3rd Place
Avery Logan & Kofi Asante, 4th Place
Lillie Ryden & Darlene Stephens, 5th Place
Avery Logan, Top Speaker
Joel Trott, 2nd Place Speaker
Novice LD Debate
Samantha Wooster, 2nd Place
Aaron Overheim, Quarterfinals
Prose Interpretation
Perras Benford, 5th Place
Original Poetry
James Saunders, 1st Place
Tiara Toran, 4th Place
TAKS Exit Retests October 20-23, 2009
The next TAKS Exit retest opportunity is October 20-23, 2009 at PISD high schools.
Testing Schedule
Tuesday, October 20 - English Language Arts
Wednesday, October 21 - Mathematics
Thursday, October 22 - Science
Friday, October 23 - Social Studies
Students must bring a photo ID with them in order to participate in testing. Report to campus by 8:30 a.m. on test day.
Out-of-school students wanting to participate in TAKS Exit Retests will need to register onsite on test day. For additional information, please contact the PISD Assessment office via phone at 594-0126, or via email at Heather.christie@pflugervilleisd.net.
$1,000,000 Technology Grant Awarded to Central Texas
Education Collaborative
Funding to accelerate student achievement across 5 school districts and 2 charter schools
(Austin, TX) - The Central Texas Education Stimulus Collaborative was awarded a $1,000,000 Target Tech in Texas Collaborative Grant (T3 Grant) from the Texas Education Agency. The T3 Grant is targeted at leveraging technology to help English Language Learning and struggling students in 3rd thru 5th grades, preparing them to make the transition into middle school. The $1 million dollar investment across 7 Local Education Agencies will impact 3300 high needs students in the first year and provide sustainable technology and training that will continue to serve multiple years.
The T3 Grant will be used to accelerate student achievement, with particular emphasis on math achievement by English Language Learners by implementing interactive whiteboard technology at 5 school districts and 2 charter schools in the Central Texas region. This interactive whiteboard technology will allow our most vulnerable populations to progress in a critical content area by using cutting edge technology and will allow teachers to share engaging visual content.
"Technology is merely a tool," said grant lead and Pflugerville Superintendent Charles Dupre. "But when we can apply it with fidelity in a learning environment that truly engages our students, we can prepare them better for the 21st century."
The Central Texas Education Stimulus Collaborative (CTXESC) is a public/private partnership launched to leverage federal stimulus money beyond the initial investments with proven collaboration through The Blueprint for Educational Change™. This application was made on behalf of a group of institutions from the Collaborative, specifically Bastrop, Leander, Pflugerville, Round Rock and San Marcos school districts and KIPP-Austin and UT Elementary charter schools. None of the districts or charters would have been able to apply for the T3 grant individually, but by working through the collaborative of the CTXESC, can bring new federal investments for students in the Central Texas Region.
KIPP Austin Public Schools Founder and CEO, Jill Kolasinski noted "This grant not only gives us the opportunity to use technology to address the needs of our rapidly-growing English Language Learner population, but to do so in a collaborative partnership where charters and traditional public school districts are learning the best implementation methods from each other."
The CTXESC is working with the Texas Education Agency to help the state in their planning and measurement efforts for all stimulus investments. Central Texas schools, private foundations, and community have hit the ground running to help students succeed through a strategic collaborative with measureable impact.
About the Central Texas Education Stimulus Collaborative (CTXESC)
The CTXESC is comprised of supporting private foundations (KDK-Harman Foundation, Michael and Susan Dell Foundation, RGK Foundation, TG's Public Benefit Program, Texas Pioneer Foundation and Texas High School Project/Communities Foundation of Texas), seven public school districts (Austin, Bastrop, Eanes, Hutto, Leander, Manor, Pflugerville, Round Rock and San Marcos ISDs), KIPP-Austin and UT Elementary School charters, and the E3 Alliance. It was created to build on the existing collaborative infrastructure of The Blueprint for Educational Change TM to leverage federal stimulus dollars strategically and bring more investment to the region.
About the E3 Alliance
The E3 Alliance is a regional collaborative to create a research-based "blueprint" that will allow us to align our education systems to better fulfill the potential of every citizen and in turn, increase economic outcomes for a stronger economic future for our region. Founded by partners the Austin Area Research Organization, The University of Texas at Austin, and Austin Community College District; the E3 Alliance acts as a catalyst for change, and is the P-16 Council for the Central Texas region.
Parmer Lane, Timmerman named to Honor Roll
Parmer Lane Elementary School and Timmerman Elementary School have been named to a statewide honor roll list of schools for the best academic performance in Texas. Winning schools are recognized for being the most consistent performers in educating all student groups over a three-year period.
The Texas Business and Education Coalition (TBEC) selected Parmer Lane and Timmerman as two of approximately 300 elementary, middle school, and high schools in Texas named to the TBEC Honor Roll. Of the more than 8,000 schools in Texas, fewer than four percent will receive this award.
The two recipients will be honored at an event scheduled for November 9, 2009, in San Antonio.
This is the third time in four years for Parmer Lane to receive the award, while it is the first time Timmerman has been on the list.
Honor Roll schools rank highest in their individual peer groups, which are schools across the state that most closely resemble their size and student population makeup.
TBEC identifies the Honor Roll schools by analyzing three years of performance data for all Texas public schools. A school must have a high percentage of students meeting state standards on the TAKS tests in all subjects for three consecutive years, with an emphasis on how many students score at the state's highest standard - commended - on all tests.
Texas Business and Education Coalition (TBEC), formed in 1989, is a non-profit organization of business executives and education leaders dedicated to improving the
performance of the public school system by influencing state education policy and stimulating community-based school improvement initiatives.
Presidential Address Made Available, Not Required
President Barack Obama on Sept. 8 will deliver a national address to students, which will focus on the importance of working hard, setting educational goals, and taking responsibility for their learning.
All Pflugerville schools will make the address available if teachers wish to show it for instructional purposes. Teachers are not required to show the video, and parents may request that their students be excused from watching the presidential address by contacting their student's teacher or campus, sending a note to school with students, or having students tell their teacher they want to be excused from watching.
Parents who have questions about the address may view a summary on the U.S. Department of Education website at http://www.ed.gov.
Earn Your School Free Technology
This year Pflugerville ISD is partnering with Texas Instruments and the Academic Giving Store to allow the District to earn more technology for its students to use.
The Academic Giving Store will donate a portion of the profits to PISD for each TI-84 Plus or TI-Nspire purchased through the program to be used on additional TI Technology for our classrooms. These calculators are used in all math classes from Algebra to Calculus, as well as in HS Science classes. Their use is also allowed on the SAT, ACT, AP Exams, and the TAKS test.
Purchase your calculator today at https://pflugervilleschools.rite2u.com.
Graduation Requirements Change in Response to HB3
House Bill 3 (HB3), passed at the end of the 81st Legislative Session, impacts high school graduation requirements. While HB3 seeks to provide greater flexibility for students on the Recommended Graduation Plan, student schedules have been created, teachers have been hired and master schedules established for 2009-10. Therefore, all students will be required to remain in the courses for which they pre-registered. The only allowable course changes will be as a result of a scheduling error. All courses that students have selected and been scheduled for will count towards the new graduation requirement.
The PISD Board of Trustees, on August 20, 2009, approved the State Graduation plans with the addition of .5 credit of health, .5 credit of physical education and 1.0 credit of technology applications. The following charts outline PISD Graduation Requirements; the first chart is for the class of 2010 (seniors in 2009-10), the second chart is applicable for the class of 2011 and all classes thereafter (freshman, sophomores and juniors in 2010-11).
Graduation Requirements for Graduates of 2010
Students entering Grade 9 in the 2004-2005 through the 2006-2007 school years
| Course | Distinguished Achievement Plan | Recommended Plan | Minimum Plan |
| Credits | 24 credits and 4 Additional Measures | 24 credits | 22 credits |
| English | Same as recommended | Four Credits:
|
Same as recommended |
| Mathematics | Same as recommended | Three Credits: must include
|
Three Credits: must include
|
| Science | Same as recommended | Three Credits: must include Biology, and two from:
|
Three Credits: Must include
|
| Social Studies | Same as recommended | Three and One-half Credits:
|
Same as recommended |
| Economics | Same as recommended | One-half Credit | Same as recommended |
| Languages Other Than English | Three credits: Must be in the same language | Two Credits: Must be in the same language. | N/A |
| Physical Education | Same as recommended | One and one-half Credits: must include Foundations of Personal Fitness (1/2 credit). Limit of two credits in PE can count toward graduation. | Same as recommended |
| Health Education | Same as recommended | One-half Credit: Health Education or Health Science Technology (1 credit) | Same as recommended |
| Speech | Same as recommended | One-half Credit: Communications Applications | Same as recommended |
| Fine Arts | Same as recommended | One Credit, not mixed | N/A |
| Technology Applications | Same as recommended | One Credit not mixed | Same as recommended |
| Electives | Two and One-Half Credits: Any state approved courses |
Three and One-half Credits: Any state approved courses |
Four and one-half Credits: Any state approved courses |
| Additional | Four Advanced Measures |
Graduation Requirements for Graduates of 2011 and thereafter
Students entering Grade 9 in the 2007-2008 school year and thereafter. Students must display mastery of all sections of Exit TAKS prior to participation in the graduation ceremony.
| Course | Distinguished Achievement Plan | Recommended Plan | Minimum Plan |
| Credits | 26 credits and 4 additional measures | 26 credits required | 22 credits required |
| English | Same as recommended | Four Credits:
|
Same as recommended |
| Mathematics | Four Credits: the credits must consist of Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry and an additional approved mathematics course for which Algebra II is a prerequisite. | Four Credits: The first three must be earned in
|
Three Credits: must include Algebra I and Geometry. |
| Science | Four Credits: One credit must consist of a biology credit, a chemistry credit, a physics credit, and an additional approved laboratory based science course. | Four Credits: One credit must be a Biology credit. Students must take IPC and either Chemistry or Physics or both Chemistry and Physics.
|
Three Credits: Must include
|
| Social Studies | Same as recommended | Three and One-half Credits:
|
Same as recommended |
| Economics | Same as recommended | One-half Credit | Same as recommended |
| Languages Other Than English | Three credits: Must be in the same language | Two Credits: Must be in the same language. | N/A |
| Physical Education | Same as recommended | One and one-half Credits: Must include Foundations of Personal Fitness (1/2 credit). Limit of two credits in PE can count toward graduation. |
Same as recommended |
| Health Education | Same as recommended | One-half Credit: Health Education or Health Science Technology (1 credit) | Same as recommended |
| Speech | Same as recommended | One-half Credit: Communications Applications | Same as recommended |
| Fine Arts | Same as recommended | One Credit, not mixed | N/A |
| Technology Applications | Same as recommended | One Credit, not mixed | Same as recommended |
| Electives | Two and One-Half Credits: Any state approved courses |
Three and One-half Credits: Any state approved courses |
Four and one-half Credits Any state approved courses |
| Additional | Four advanced measures |
Notice for Credit by Examination - Grades K-5 Beginning-of-Year Administration
Registration Deadline
Friday, August 28, 2009
Testing Window
September 9-16, 2009*
*Campuses will select three days during this window to administer Credit by Exam for Acceleration assessments. Please contact your student's campus counselor for the exact testing dates.
Location
Campus where participating student is enrolled.
Information
Visit the PISD Assessment page for more information
To Apply
Applications and information are available above or from your school counselor. Applications must be submitted to the student's campus counselor by the August 28, 2009, deadline in order to be tested during the fall administration window.
Purpose
Credit by Exam for acceleration is for students who have had no prior instruction in the grade level for which the tests are desired. These are rigorous assessments that thoroughly test the student's knowledge of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills of the grade level. For grade level acceleration, the student must test in the following four content areas: language arts, math, science, and social studies. Students must score 90% or above on all applicable exams to receive credit for the course/grade level.
Pflugerville ISD Announces Federal Accountability Results
Pflugerville ISD today announced the District and each of its 25 campuses met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) as defined by the federal No Child Left Behind education law.
To earn the label "Meets AYP" a district and its individual schools had to test a minimum of 95 percent of their students, with at least 67 percent of the students passing the Reading/English Language Arts test and at least 58 percent passing the Mathematics exam on the annual Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS). This represented a seven-percentage point increase in the Reading performance target and an eight-percentage point increase in the Math target for 2009.
"The fact that every campus met AYP is a further indication of the progress we are making across all student groups," Deputy Superintendent Keith McBurnett said. "As our TAKS results showed, the District maintained or improved in 24 of 25 performance indicators and experienced a narrowing of the achievement gap between the highest and lowest performing students. We are extremely proud of the work of our staff and our students."
Thirteen of 25 Pflugerville ISD schools received the top two ratings of Exemplary or Recognized when the Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced state accountability ratings last week.
The number of PISD schools rated Exemplary increased from one to three, with Pflugerville, Rowe Lane and Timmerman elementary schools earning that distinction. Ten schools were rated Recognized: Windermere Primary; Brookhollow, Highland Park, Murchison, Northwest, River Oaks and Windermere elementary schools; Kelly Lane Middle School; and Hendrickson and Pflugerville high schools. The remaining campuses are Academically Acceptable.
Thirteen Pflugerville ISD Schools Receive Top Two Ratings in State Accountability System
Thirteen of 26 Pflugerville ISD schools received the top two ratings of Exemplary or Recognized when the Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced accountability ratings on July 31. That was an increase over the eight schools receiving the top two ratings a year ago. The District was rated Academically Acceptable, missing a Recognized rating due to a small number of scores in the Science Economically Disadvantaged indicator.
The number of PISD schools rated Exemplary increased from one to three, with Pflugerville, Rowe Lane and Timmerman elementary schools earning that distinction. Ten schools were rated Recognized: Windermere Primary; Brookhollow, Highland Park, Murchison, Northwest, River Oaks and Windermere elementary schools; Kelly Lane Middle School; and Hendrickson and Pflugerville high schools. The remaining campuses are Academically Acceptable.
"The past two years, teachers, principals and members of the curriculum and instruction department have been building systems to support teaching and learning," Superintendent of Schools Charles Dupre said. "Their hard work is evident in the achievement of PISD students."
PISD maintained or showed improvement in 24 of 25 performance indicators. The state accountability system rates schools in five subject areas: Math, Reading, Science, Social Studies and Writing. Each subject has up to five student groups for which districts can be rated - All Students, African American, Hispanic, White and Economically Disadvantaged.
"As excited as we are about the increase in the number of recommended and exemplary campuses, we are even more excited about the number of students who are achieving at the commended performance level," Dupre said.
The District maintained or improved in 22 of 25 indicators for TAKS Commended Performance, which is the highest performance level set by the State Board of Education on the TAKS. Students who achieve Commended Performance have performed at a level that is considerably above the state passing standard and have shown a thorough understanding of the knowledge and skills at the grade level tested.
PISD also experienced a narrowing of the achievement gap between the highest performing and lowest performing student groups in math, science and social studies. Students in the African American and Economically Disadvantaged student groups experienced growth in every content area, while students in the Hispanic student group improved or maintained achievement in all content areas.
Tips to Help Beat the Heat as Practice Begins
With practice for extracurricular activities like sports and band taking place, it is important for students and parents to take precautions to ensure students are prepared to deal with the Texas heat.
District employees are doing their part by:
- Trying to schedule practices in the coolest parts of the day
- Making water available at all times
- Providing ice towels and buckets
- Supplying sports drinks
- Ensuring licensed athletic trainers attend all practices and
- Following UIL guidelines for the length and frequency of practices.
Parents and students should consider the following suggestions:
- Getting plenty of rest at night
- Eating a nutritious breakfast and don't skip meals
- Sending fruits or light sandwiches and sports drinks for between practices
- Avoiding caffeine drinks such as sodas and tea
PISD Schools Receive 2009 CATCH MVP School Awards of Excellence
The University of Texas-Houston and the Michael & Susan Dell Center for Advancement of Healthy Living have announced the recipients of the 2009 CATCH MVP School Awards of Excellence. Applications were based on each component area (Food Services/Nutrition Environment, Physical Education & Physical Activity, Health Curriculum/Classroom Lessons, and Family & community Involvement) and overall coordination and collaboration efforts.
The following from PISD are set to receive awards:
$3000 CATCH MVP School Award - Northwest Elementary
$1500 CATCH MVP School Award - River Oaks Elementary School
CATCH MVP School Certificate - Delco Primary & Dessau Elementary Schools
PISD Athletes - Don't Forget Your Annual Physical
Practices in the PISD will soon be starting...a reminder that all athletes must get an annual physical on the PISD approved form. No athlete will be allowed to participate without an updated physical on file.
Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering Awards HHS Grad Preston Nguyen Scholarship
The Texas Alliance for Minorities in Engineering (TAME) announced Preston Nguyen, a recent graduate from Hendrickson High, as the recipient of the 2009 Capital Area Alliance Rosendo Garcia Scholarship! His award will be for $1,500.00. Preston participated in local Math and Science competitions, winning awards on the local and state levels the past two years while additionally volunteering with TAME to help children in outreach events.
This scholarship honors the memory of Rosendo Garcia, who passed away from cancer on July 23, 2008. Rosendo was a chemistry and science teacher at John B. Conally High and he was active in STATE, the Science Teachers Association of Texas, and the Science Olympiad. Even when his health was failing, Rosendo was dedicated to volunteering with TAME and supporting the students he cared for. The Rosendo Garcia scholarship was established to carry on Rosendo's memory and provide financial assistance in higher education for a deserving student in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics.
TAME is honored to share Rosendo's memory and the funds donated in his name with a student who has played such a big role in the Capital Area Alliance. Congratulations again to Preston Nguyen!