Friday, February 3, 2012

Top Ten Middle & Junior High Schools - Student Excellence (LYS Performance Score)

The following list presents the ten middle and junior high schools that had the greatest percentage of their fragile learners score at the commended level on all sections of the TAKS test (2010/2011).

10. Stevenson MS# (Houston ISD)

9. Lago Vista MS# (Lago Vista ISD)

8. Garcia MS# (Fort Bend ISD)

7. Veterans MS* (Rio Grande City ISD)

6. Lone Oak MS# (Lone Oak ISD)

5. Harper MS* (Harper ISD)

4. Lanier MS# (Houston ISD)

3. Pin Oak MS* (Houston ISD)

2. Briarmeadow MS* (Houston ISD)

1. Natalia JH* (Natalia ISD)

* = TEA Exemplary / # = TEA Recognized / ^ = TEA Acceptable

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

  • Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com! http://tinyurl.com/4ydqd4t
  • Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation
  • Get the Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan App at the App Store – Fun 5 Plans
  • Confirmed 2012 Presentations: Oklahoma Association of Middle School Principal’s Mid-Winter Conference; Region 16 ESC Leadership Academy (Keynote Address); NASSP Conference; NASB Conference

Thursday, February 2, 2012

Top Ten Middle & Junior High Schools - Student Competency (LYS Performance Score)

The following list presents the ten middle and junior high schools that had the greatest percentage of their fragile learners pass all sections of the TAKS test (2010/2011).

10. Timpson MS# (Timpson ISD)

9. Pin Oak MS* (Houston ISD)

8. Veterans MS* (Rio Grande City ISD)

7. Whitewright MS* (Whitewright ISD)

6. Austin MS* (Galveston ISD)

5. Lone Oak MS# (Lone Oak ISD)

4. Plains MS* (Plains ISD)

3. Staley MS* (Frisco ISD)

2. Briarmeadow MS* (Houston ISD)

1. Natalia JH* (Natalia ISD)

* = TEA Exemplary / # = TEA Recognized

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

  • Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com! http://tinyurl.com/4ydqd4t
  • Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation
  • Get the Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan App at the App Store – Fun 5 Plans
  • Confirmed 2012 Presentations: Oklahoma Association of Middle School Principal’s Mid-Winter Conference; Region 16 ESC Leadership Academy (Keynote Address); NASSP Conference; NASB Conference

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Overall Top Ten Texas Middle & Junior High Schools - LYS Performance Scores

Continuing our recognition of exceptional schools, the following list presents the ten middle and junior high schools that had the highest performance over adversity scores for the 2010/2011 school year.

10. Stevenson Middle School# (Houston ISD)

9. Lucio Middle School# (Brownsville ISD)

8. Marsh Middle School# (Dallas ISD)

7. Valley View Junior High School* (Valley View ISD)

6. Beckendorff Junior High School* (Katy ISD)

5. Burbank Middle School# (Houston ISD)

4. Briarmeadow Middle School* (Houston ISD)

3. Ringgold Middle School# (Rio Grande City ISD)

2. Veterans Middle School* (Rio Grande City ISD)

1. Natalia Junior High School* (Natalia ISD)

* = TEA Exemplary / # = TEA Recognized

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

  • Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com! http://tinyurl.com/4ydqd4t
  • Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation
  • Get the Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan App at the App Store – Fun 5 Plans
  • Confirmed 2012 Presentations: Oklahoma Association of Middle School Principal’s Mid-Winter Conference; Region 16 ESC Leadership Academy (Keynote Address); NASSP Conference; NASB Conference

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

A LYS Principal Writes... PowerWalks Hero School - Don't Forget Us

A LYS Principal in a non-LYS district writes:

SC,

OK, my team and I did 148 walk-thru’s in December.

But remember, this isn’t a LYS district so I was told to quit using PowerWalks. Instead I have to use (name of sub-standard system deleted), so I understand if you aren't able to report us in your list of over-achieving schools! But... if you're willing to use our (name of sub-standard system deleted) data, I could send you our numbers at the end of each month for consideration for the "Hero Schools" list. I just can’t stand having the hard work of my staff go unrecognized. Let me know what you think.

SC Response

If you send me your monthly total on the last day of the month and you hit the mark, I'll include you on the Hero List. Even though you work for a soul numbing bureaucracy that forces you to use a lesser tool, it’s your practice and commitment to leadership and coaching that really matters.

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

  • Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com! http://tinyurl.com/4ydqd4t
  • Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation
  • Get the Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan App at the App Store – Fun 5 Plans
  • Confirmed 2012 Presentations: Oklahoma Association of Middle School Principal’s Mid-Winter Conference; Region 16 ESC Leadership Academy (Keynote Address); NASSP Conference; NASB Conference

Monday, January 30, 2012

Top LYS Tweets from the Week of January 22, 2012

A LYS Superintendent shares the new Bootleg Technology initiative in his district (the 31st poorest in Texas).

DATELINE: SPLENDORA ISD

Many of our students are digital natives—meaning they have never known a life without technology. Our students live in a world of Google, Apple, and Yahoo. But too often the only place they are not free to use their natural skills in technology is in the classroom. If we as educators truly believe Splendora ISD is preparing our students to be productive in the 21st century workplace, we must open up more opportunities for our students to be exposed to technology on a daily basis in our classrooms.

Splendora ISD began this journey three years ago with the implementation of a one-to-one laptop program for all students in our college programs (Early College, Dual Credit, and CTE). The following year all certified staff were provided with a laptop. The idea being that our staff would be expected to use and be role models for our students and bring more technology into the everyday classroom.

Our next phase will begin in January 2012. A pilot program for sixth graders will be implemented that allows students to use a district-provided smart tablet. The tablets will be used for 21st century learning opportunities. We recognize that mobile devices today play a significant role in our students’ lives. We want to incorporate these devices into our classrooms, change the way our teachers teach, and give our students the opportunity to explore, collaborate, and develop skills that are necessary to succeed beyond the classroom.

By August 2012, we will expand the pilot program and allow 7th-12th graders to bring and use their own devices (laptop, netbook, cell phone, tablet, etc.). With fewer resources and dwindling budgets, and by allowing students and staff to bring their own devices, the district leverages its technology in a cost-effective manner.

Additionally in the 2012-2013 school year, Splendora ISD will offer a filtered wireless network (Wi-Fi) on all campuses. Students will be expected to connect to the filtered Splendora ISD public Wi-Fi for educational purposes and exhibit digital responsibility. Learning about and being held accountable for the responsible use of either district-owned or personally owned electronic devices is an important part in preparing students to be successful in the future. We also plan to convert our libraries to electronic checkout by August 2012. In other words, we will allow our students and community members to checkout books electronically using our e-readers or their own.

Technology is integral to student achievement. It is time to embrace what you, as parents, may have already provided for your children, and by the District providing a filtered Wi-Fi network, the District can partner with you to provide students with the best academic resources available. Splendora ISD will always strive to provide the best learning environment for our students and staff. Initiatives such as Bring Your Own Technology and electronic libraries are only the first step in our journey to continuously provide opportunities for digital natives (students) to compete and succeed once they graduate from Splendora High School.

When the 31st poorest school district in Texas embraces Bootleg Technology, what exactly are you waiting for?

A number of you in the LYS Nation are now using your own bootleg technology devices to follow Twitter. If you haven’t done so yet, we want you to join us. To let you see what you are missing, here are the Top 10 LYS Tweets from the week of January 22, 2012, as tabulated by the accountants at Price Waterhouse.

1. Tablet and e-book ownership nearly doubled during holiday season. (By @PrincipalDiff)

2. I’m visiting classrooms now. The improvement in engagement when the teacher is in the Power Zone is astounding!

3. The Closing Product is not the lesson activity. It is formative proof of learning.

4. BRILLIANT: One stereotype we have not been able to break in the United States is that ‘faster is smarter’. (By @anniemurphypaul)

5. Without deliberate practice, even the most talented individuals will reach a plateau and stay there. (By @anniemurphypaul)

6. In my experience, those who hate failure generally beat those who love success.

7. "Where we say something is as important as what we say". Wisdom from Sean Cain of Lead Your School about being in the Power Zone. (By @principalschu)

8. Just finished a promo video for my ESC 16 Leadership Conference keynote presentation. Can't wait to meet with the LYSers in the Panhandle!

9. Senator puts teachers, police officers, and fire fighters in the 1 percent. (By @eschoolnews)

10. Vouchers are education welfare for millionaires. (By @johnkuhntx)

Think. Work. Achieve.

Your turn...

  • Call Jo at (832) 477-LEAD to order your campus set of “The Fundamental 5: The Formula for Quality Instruction.” Individual copies available on Amazon.com! http://tinyurl.com/4ydqd4t
  • Follow Sean Cain and LYS on www.Twitter.com/LYSNation
  • Get the Fundamental 5 Lesson Plan App at the App Store – Fun 5 Plans
  • Upcoming 2012 Presentations: Oklahoma Association of Middle School Principal’s Mid-Winter Conference; Region 16 ESC Leadership Academy (Keynote Address); NASSP Conference; NASB Conference