Use comment tag below to express your opinion.
houstonisdwatch.com wants to hear from you, especially from HISD insiders.
WHY HASN'T HISD RELEASED TEST SCORES FOR ITS APOLLO DEBACLE?
WHAT IS GRIER HIDING FROM THE PUBLIC???
From TEA: Initial STAAR results released
Since School Improvement Officers serve no useful function to teachers or students
and exist primarily to spy on principals, Grier sees nothing wrong with a revolving door
in the staffing of his personal police force
*Document from 2009 says SIOs were to coach principals, not manage them
*SIOs play the role of spies, hassling principals about Facebook postings and what
is written on this site
*The fact that the weak HISD trustees support Grier in creating the SIO positions shows
just how out-of-touch they really are
*Several schools have had three SIOs already this year; SIOs don't feel any need to relate
to school communities, skipping graduation exercises (and isn't graduation what we are
really all about? The May list included in the link is already out of date.
*By continuing to fund SIO positions, and by never offering to take a pay cut himself to
address the budget crisis, Grier continues to demonstrate his me-first approach to HISD
governance (Read Ed Fuller's comment and Anna Eastman's response).
*If Grier actually ran an open, honest administration that wasn't concerned with politics
99.0% of the time and actually cared about teaching and learning, he would abolish the
SIO positions and use the money to fund teachers and services that directly aid schools,
not his power.
Pearson makes out big as STAAR retakes cost districts lots of $$: from TexasTribune.org
New York Governor Cumo: Don't single out teachers by publishing their evaluations:
from NYDailyNews.com
Romney is no friend to public schools or public school teachers: from NYTimes.com
Choice of elementary school principal to lead Pershing Middle School draws fire
To dispell a few issues here. From HISD data Pin Oak Middle school had 2,207 applications for approx 380
spots (both Magnet & Boundary) and Lanier Middle school had 1,243 applications (or which approx 700 qualify
on the matrix) for 460 spots (both magnet & local zoned). That means that the Pin Oak 6th grade class could
have been filled almost 6 times given the number of applicants to spots. And same for Lanier about 3 times as
many applicants as spots. The Pin Oak boundary option is for those residing in the Pershing, Long and Johnston
middle school areas - a huge geographic area of West Houston and not just West U & Bellaire. From what I heard
to get into the Language Magnet at Pin Oak you did have to have a 100 or above on the entry matrix, 99 or lower got
you on the wait list. Otherwise you were at the odds of the boundary lottery. There is talk of adding an IB middle
school to River Oak Elementary but that option needs the potential HISD bond in the fall to pass and given the
current political environment I don't see that having a good chance. And it would be at least 4-5 years before we
might see doors open for enrollment from now even if the bond did pass - so not a quick solution obviously.
So, what does all this mean - there are a ton of smart qualified students not happy with their local middle schools
that would give anything to get into Pin Oak and Lanier. Is Grier doing anything to address this issue? especially
on a short term basis? I sure haven't heard about it... Grier has done very little for the smart, academically gifted
kids other than to threaten to dismantle the magnet system. Do you hear of Grier putting any money into gifted
programs? versus all of the money being put into Apollo and STAAR/TAKS testing remediation? I wish all of the
complaining here on the blog would go to some constructive efforts to fix the HISD middle school problems...
and that is only among the 2 schools I know.
Oh - and the well respected Pershing principal that left due to mysterious circumstances has been replaced
by an elementary school principal newly promoted to middle school principal - oh, yeah, just throw her in to lead
1,800 + students without any middle school experience.... tell me there wasn't a more qualified person with middle
school principal experience to lead this school???
by Really? (Jun 14, 2012)
A contrasting view....
I find the comments about placing a principal with elementary experience in a middle school amusing. I worked in a
middle school for over 30 years and in that time 2 of the principals came to us with an elementary school background.
They brought new ideas and new ways of doing things into our school. To assume that one has to be experienced in
one particular grade level to lead a school is ludicrous. A good leader can lead at any level.
by Notsom (Jun 14, 2012)
Pressure and 763 vacancies force Grier to relent on discriminatory teacher
raise proposal - Now he wants all teachers to get 2%: from chron.com
Vouchers unspoken, Romeny hails school choice: from NYTimes.com
"...But there is limited evidence in the real world of schools improving much as they compete for
students, according to education experts.
One notable skeptic is Margaret Spellings, a former education secretary under Mr. Bush, who this year
was an informal adviser to Mr. Romney. She said she withdrew once the candidate rejected strong
federal accountability measures.
"I have long supported and defended and believe in a muscular federal role on school accountability,”
Ms. Spellings said. “Vouchers and choice as the drivers of accountability — obviously that’s untried
abd and untested..."
Does school choice work?
School choice: Effects on integration and achievement
More bloggers comment on Pin Oak MS
Before any parent can talk about a teacher for their child, they should look at the first teacher there child had
(THERE OWN PARENT). So many Pin Oak parents think they have perfect angels, when in reality, they have
some of the most disrepectful, lying, manipulating children to have every enter Pin Oak Middle School. These
students do things that most grownups won't do. This is the typical parent that things she gave birth to the
perfect child when in truth, she gave birth to ______________ (you fill in the blank). Maybe they can come to
class prepared and ready to learn from that fossilized dinosaur.
by no child is totally innocent (Jun 13, 2012)
A few things about Pin Oak in response to above comments:
1. Keep in mind only 1/3 of the school is magnet kids, the one hundred plus crowd someone referred to. My point
was that if you live in west u or bellaire, you can still get in via the boundary option. So basically, living in those areas
doubles your chances of getting in. Does that sound fair?
2. The admin at the school are great at somethings including getting on top of bad teachers. What the parent who was
complaining earlier doesn't realize is that the crappy teachers she was talking about were in 8C because that is where
they would do the least damage. It's pretty obvious to everyone working at Pin Oak that aside from 4 or 5 teachers, the
magnet teachers are the weakest. They've been with "smart kids" because god forbid they actually have an esl or
special ed student! I give credit to the principals for cracking down on those who deserve. But don't think for one
second you as a parent have the slightest clue as to what's going on, even if you do work in the school store everyday.
People are keeping their heads down and mouths shut, which is why they are posting here. To assume that people
are speaking out because they are being given a hard time is simpleminded. Consider for a moment that your extremely
limited view of the school culture, as a parent and a blessed magnet parent at that, doesn't reflect the reality of a very
negative work and school environment.
3. People who are posting from Pin Oak need to stop with all the gossip crap. It makes you look bad. There is enough
to say without getting personal.
by Laughing (Jun 13, 2012)
In Grier's logic, relentless criticism of teachers, praise for the business model of running
schools, translate into choosing principals with little or no real teaching experience, and
establishing a quid pro quo partnership with the University of St. Thomas where principals
can earn M.B.A. degrees (and then leave the district for the private sector)
From HISD cynic:
Do HISD principals have relevant experience? Ask Arredando at Austin, he only taught 3 years. Ask Winn at
Rogers, do you think she knows anything about G/T or multiple impairment education? Not to mention the
ENTIRE administration at Pin Oak who have ZERO secondary experience among them. Monaghan's experience
as a phys ed/2nd grade teacher and her APs who also come from lower elementary have no clue. Whoever said
scores were in the tank was right. It's downhill from here.
by HISD cynic (Jun 13, 2012)
Tiny-Tech: The world's smallest digital recorder
Grier usually chooses principals who are bellicose and divisive, but do they know
the most current theories and practices in pedagogy, and do they make discussion
of those theories and practices a regular part of school life?
Is your principal knowledgeable about the curriculum you're teaching? Futhermore,
is your T.D.S. knowledgeable?
Does your principal inspire you? Encourage you to innovate?
Has your principal established strong lines of communication (and by strong lines Grier
probably means harsh, but we all know a steady diet of criticism created the low morale
problems facing HISD right now) with teachers and students?
The HISD trustees support HISD's Leadership Framework, but who's evaluating
principals and school improvement officers to ensure it's happening?
HISD spent over $3.5 million in unemployment claims on staff it let go
Unemployment Compensation from June 14, 2012 HISD board agenda
Due to staff reductions this past summer, unemployment compensation claims and costs
have increased significantly this fiscal year. Houston ISD is self-insured for unemployment
compensation claims and is billed quarterly by the Texas Workforce Commission. For the
current fiscal year, Houston ISD has been billed $3,508,638 for the July through September
2011 period, which tends to be our highest quarter as it covers much of the summer period.
Houston ISD was billed $2,795,415 for the October through December 2011 quarter and
was reflective of a declining, but continuing liability for individuals affected by the staff
reductions during the summer of 2011. Claims are still expected to be higher than normal,
but declining from prior quarters through the first two quarters of 2012.
Read HISD board agenda.
3.5 million would have funded 68 teachers working with kids, reducing class sizes across
the district. When you have an agenda's like Grier's, you'd much rather create fear and
uncertainty by firing staff, even though your claims of saving money are absolutely false.
Seeing public schools from the bottom up
from Jesse Alred's blog
The reality of our city schools is they are are generally really good or really bad, with few in between.
The schools serving affluent families, and a few creaming the best from working-class neighborhoods,
certainly outshine the schools I attended in the industrial hamlet of Tupelo, Mississippi.
But the vast majority of urban neighborhood schools produce students who perform at levels below third
world nations and behave much worse than kids in poor nations who are lucky enough to have affordable
educational opportunities.
Continue reading Alred's blog.
specialed makes comments and asks questions many parents have
Slick new state of HISD mail-out:
I received a very slick state of the school magazine. Who is in charge of this huge waste of money? Is
this what the bloated administration does? Is this what the "officers" do? Am I the only parent who feels
this magazine is a total waste of taxpayer money? Just send the report card and the scores, and send the
"officers" in the classroom where they do can something for the students. My child and I do not need this
magazine. Is this a NCLB requirement? To Laughing, I never did understand why Pin Oak is not a boundary
school. Parents in the area pay property taxes, too. Why should they send their kids to private school?
Sorry, but you sound racist.
by specialed (Jun 13, 2012)
Furthermore, the data presented in the magazine didn't include information I would like to know. For instance,
teacher's years of experience, the number of coaches who also teach, especially the number of special ed
teachers who also coach. Nothing changes in special ed..hiring teachers who coach just sounds like a joke..
an old joke.
by specialed (Jun 13, 2012)
One more wish..include the scores of the coach/teacher.
by specialed (Jun 13, 2012)
HISD'S OFFICIAL RESPONSE: No EEO complaints against Principal Davila-Rodriguez were found.
(item 3). This completes this request [houstonisdwatch's Open Records Request re: Xochitl R.-Davila].
If you know of anyone who filed an E.E.O. complaint against Ms. R.-Davila, or if you filed one yourself,
please comment below or email Editor@houstonisdwatch.com.
Morale at Pin Oak could be higher
Pin Oak continues to generate controversy among a vocal...majority or minority?
All of the whining about Monaghan at Pin Oak is really funny. Here's another perspective. I'm on my
3rd child at the school and I'll say that teaching at the school runs from the really excellent to the
unbelievably poor.
My daughter's 8th grade history teacher, for instance, gave one single solitary assignment that wasn't
regurgitating information from the text or looking things up on google. No analysis, no writing, no research
skills -- just vomiting up dates and retaking the same boring tests multiple times (and listening in class to
her go off on tangents and more tangents). The prior principal didn't care about instruction in the classroom
and let people do whatever they wanted -- that's why these teachers loved him -- he never interfered even
when they called kids stupid or cursed in front of them. The "retirement home" of 8c was a fossilized relic
of what may have, in the day, been good teaching, but over the years resulted in dinosaurs who no longer
remembered that their job was to adequately prepare kids for high school. My daughter definitely struggled
when she had to make the adjustment!
So, I see Monaghan trying to shake up the old guard, and I see the old guard whining. But from my perspective,
there needs to be accountability and a focus on the classroom -- I get and receive reviews from my boss where
he tells me what he wants me to focus on in the next year (and he'll call me in at anytime if he thinks I'm off-focus).
Why is that so off-limits in a school?
by pin oak parent (Jun 13, 2012)
And from Laughing:
Pin Oak is a shell of what it once was. Grier is the man to blame, the principal is but his pawn. She never even
wanted to move schools. I think people at Lovett where she came from and Pin Oak would have been happier.
A friend of mine was on the interview panel for principals and she was not anyone's top pick. Everyone thought
we were going to get the principal from Koulter. Anyway, I hear this might be Susan's last year. God knows she
doesn't seem happy. I mean who would be happy when they are messing up left and right?
Anyways, on the subject of Pin Oak, I hear that next year, students will be divided into the ESL group, the Special
Ed group, and of course the Magnet kids above everyone else on the second floor. And what kind of magnet program
is it really when most of the kids in it are from the neighborhood and should be attending under the boundary option
so that poor kids from the north and east side can get a chance, but noooooo the West U and Bellaire parents want
to squeeze a couple more years of free education before they wisely send their kids to private school.
I think the comments about Ramby are too funny. I feel bad for her though because Susan is always yelling at her.
At the end of the day, you couldn't pay me enough to take the abuse!
by Laughing (Jun 12, 2012)
On the Money:
I hope all you out there in Grier ISD are listening and taking Marc's advice to heart? Remember to
ALWAYS keep in mind, the only thing that keeps Captain Grier's boat a float is his data driven craze
and need for recognition! His spinmaster Jason can only cover up so much for so long before J.Q.
Public catches on and the Captain starts his blame game and finger pointing. AND with the horrible
drop in test scores his first attack is on administration! And who in turn are they going to blame???
Hmmmmmm..let me think..the new test...NO..hmmmm..the parents...NO....hmmmmm....I got it the
students..yah right your getting closer..so who's left..AHHHHHHHHH..the teachers...hey that's me!?!?!
Because in Grier ISD EVERYTHING is the teachers fault! When all else fails the Captain always falls
back on blaming the teachers! So get it together guys and gals so you can continue to pays your bills
because they are NOT worried about you in this "me,me,me first" environment TEAM-GISD has created
you're expendable!?!?!
by On the Money (Jun 12, 2012)
HISD board approves funding for summer prep: from Yourhoustonnews.com
*Employee satisfaction depends on productive, fulfilling relationships between management
and staff...does your school have that? If so, please blog about it here.
*Signs of low morale among employees
*There is no bigger impact on TEAM HISD's productivity than TEAM HISD's low morale
*Symptoms of low morale: Checklist
Not supporting your own cause is a symptom of low morale
STOP letting these Principals attack you and you just take it! As Marc stated, "go after them TOGETHER!"
United we stand, divided we fall and they know that most teachers run and hide in their rooms by themselves
while they are laughing about how easy it was to scare you! Tape recorders are a great tool, just pull it out
and they do shut up! Next write THEM up and email it to EVERYONE because once again WHY in the HECK
do you think that they are ALWAYS writng you up? It's called DOCUMENTATION AND PAPER TRAIL so start
one on them and this means the ENTIRE staff MUST do it! In te end THAT'S what HISD looks for and if your
staff is a bunch of chickens and WILL NOT write them up, you will continue to lose every time because at
your termination hearing they, the board and Grier, will ask for ANY documentation either side may have
and you can bet your principal will have plenty and if you have NONE.....bye-bye! AND when you compare
hers to yours, anything that she has that you don't, you can argue that she made it up, or why didn't you
get a copy!?!? Remember...your jobs and asses are on the line each and every day when it comes to Grier
and his band of fools. You either learn how to fight back and play the game just as dirty as they are or turn
in your resignation papers and save yourself the headache and humiliation at the hands of these flunkies!
Get it together! RECORD! DOCUMENT! PAPER TRAIL! EMAIL HER/HIS BOSS! BOARD MEMBERS! Just do it....
.your career depends on how YOU fight back!?!?!
by I'll say it again..... (Jun 9, 2012)
Looks like a USB drive but actually is mini recorder
As long as you are not recording for criminal or tortious purposes, it is legal to tape record
in Texas without the other party's consent
Find a way of documenting that works for you...
Just a thought....while all you teachers and other campus staff members are out and about this summer
why don't evertone of you go check into small personal tape records and carry them with you EVERYWHERE
you go on campus next year! Golfcrest ES teachers, if everyonw of you had one at the beginning of the year
and at the very first meeting EVERY LAST ONE of you pull them out and slam them on the table when Cisneros
start running her mouth she will gat the NEW picture! But as always MOST of you won't and continue to complain
one by one! Get together and ALL of you go after her TOGETHER!!! This goes for EVERY other school that has an
"out of control" fool for a principal! Get out those damn recorders NOT cellphones because she will say you an't
use them on campus, so again get out those recorders any time and any where they OPEN their mouths and let
them know you WILL BE taping everything they say! Then just see how big and bad they are!?!? AND yes you can
record them by law as long as they know you are doing it! Their only choice in the matter is to shut their damn
mouth and walk away. They CAN"T stop you and if they say they can they are bluffing and call them on it! But STOP
letting them attack you without fighting back TOGETHER!!!!!
by Marc (Jun 9, 2012)
Document, doucment, document!
You must document your principals to have anything to fight them with. To all the Pin Oak employees
i suggest we all take this into consideration as a group. No more verbal conversations with Monaghan.
Its time to get her and her front office and administrative flunkies out! 90% of us say we want her out so
its time to get it going. Her secretary is so rude. I went in her office to talk to her and she opened her
mouth as wide as she could and let out the longest yawn I have ever seen then shook her head and
asked me to repeat what I had just told her. I told her to forget it and walked out. This lady has the personality
of a wet mop. You can never get a straight answer from her about anything. If you ask her if she thinks it will
rain today, she will respond with I don't know let me ask Susan to see what she thinks. Ok. So we started
going directly to Monaghan and by passing her first and she got pissed for that. If we have to wait for her to
ask Monaghan why can't we just ask ourselves. Thats the reason no one never knows what the hell is
happening on that campus. Oh and not obe minority was interviewed for the receptionist position I hear.
by Yes, Yes, Yes (Jun 11, 2012)
REVISITING THE LAMAR GAMES, OR RIOTS, THROUGH EMAILS
HISD says social media to blame for riot
Twitter says there was a riot at Lamar
Are these fights captured on film?
CNN report: Lamar High School tries to cover up riot
KHOU: Pranksters get rowdy at Lamar
On April 5, 2012, Jason Spencer, HISD General Manager, Communications and Media
Relations, sent James McSwain, Lamar principal, a script to send home to parents
over the alleged "riot" at Lamar:
"...Several students participated in a 'senior prank' today that involved throwing paper balls
at their classmates and runing through the halls in large groups."
Read the email exchange between Spencer and McSwain on April 5, 2012.
"Please take a look at these videos. They seem to depict two fights.
"There was a fight this morning..."
HEY, THERE'S A REAL FIGHT GOING ON IN THE PRANK!
Rich Connelly of the Houston Press challenges Spencer: "Can you look at it again and
maybe refresh your browser? When I call it up there are videos of two different
fights embedded."
Spencer to Connelly: One of the videos depicts a fight that occurred this morning. It was
not related to the afternoon "riot" prank. (editor's emphasis) The second fight took
place in the afternoon during the prank.
Spencer and Connelly haggle over video link
Spencer: "Channel 13 is the real victim. No telling how much gasoline they burned while their
chopper hovered above the school."
McSwain threatens to cancel senior prom in response to "riot"
James McSwain: Arrest for possession of marijuana that 'was unrelated to this [disturbance]
and officers were looking at this or a possible citation for one of the boys in this morning's fight
By 5:11 PM on April 5, 2012, Spencer is notifying HISD trustees that there were two fights at
Lamar High School that day. The second fight occurred "at the same time large groups of
students were running through the halls. No one was seriously injured.
Penalties for test cheating don't seem to stop some administrators from landing other
jobs; HISD is not always paying close attention to applicants' resumes
from TexasWatchdog.org:
"...The Houston Independent School District could have avoided a problem teacher if it had figured out
early on that he was lying on his resume.
Richard Adebayo's state license was revoked in February.
According to a TEA investigation, Adebayo, in his role as “unofficial head of the math department”
at HISD's Key Middle School, had teachers go over the TAKS test questions with students in advance
of the test.
The investigation also found that Adebayo “materially misrepresented his educational credentials"
when he told his employer that he had a doctorate degree in mathematics and physics from Rice
University..."
Read Steve Miller's report.
Response To trouble:
You are contracted for 188 days. Your administrator cannot force you to work unless you are compensated.
Document fully. In addition, your appraisal period begins in August under a new contractual school year.
I suggest, if you do not belong to one already, join a union simply for the legal protection. They will assist
you with the legalities of contract work. Furthermore, file a grievance. HFT fought the same situation
at Sharpstown High School when teachers were required to attend trainings without pay during the
summer and won.
by a reader (Jun 9, 2012)
Using summer meetings as part of 2012-13 teacher appraisal?
How many teachers are already getting pestered with stupid summer meetings? At Golfcrest we
are basically forced to meet and plan over the summer. If you don't it will go against you in next years
appraisal. Why do I have to feel guilty that I made summer traveling plans and am busy? After being
bullied and battered all year I need some TIME!!! Cisneros has made me lose all my passion, motivation,
and energy. I can handle the insanely difficult children, crazy parents, and mounds of paperwork but not
HER! Why in the heck would I willingly want to go work instead of spending quality time with my family?
I do NOT get paid for the summer! Maybe if that awful woman would have been a better person instead
of a two-faced monster (CISNEROS: I know all the awful stuff you have said about me and others. LOTS
of people shared what you have said about myself in particular! You should really watch what you say;
those kinds of comments make you look ignorant) I'd actually be willing to go. I need a break from this
abusive place so I can regain what has been so sadly lost. Who knows???
by trouble (Jun 9, 2012)
What Scott Walker's victory says about American unions?
from Jesse Alfred's blog
When you step in front of your students to teach, how many of them are hyped-up
on legally prescribed amphetamines?
Looking for insiders information on the principalship of Jackson Middle School...
do you know?
SO what is going on at Jackson MS lately? It seems that during the recent remodeling they must have
installed a revolving door because the principal position the past few years just seems to be a huge
problem! These leaders seem to be coming and going faster then Davila can fire a veteran teacher
at Lee HS! So, who's next on line? Any hints and are they just stopping in for a quick "hit" on padding
their resume before moving on? Just asking!?!??!?
by Former Jackson Middle School Employee (Jun 9, 2012)
Lambasting his own principals? Could Terry Grier do that?
Whew! Thought I was going to have to give up my lifelong dream to be a stand-up comic!
And I think I have an idea for a new business! I'll open a gym where everyone can punch and kick
boxing bags with their principal's face on it! I could make a fortune! And TG's bag would cost an
extra premium to hit!
Hey, did anyone else hear that TG did his spazz-out routine when telling the principals about the
bad test scores? Red in the face, saliva flying---what is WRONG with this man?
by Education Grrrrl (Jun 9, 2012)
Agreeing with Not a Pushover:
To Not A Pushover" finally somebody gets it! If more teachers would stop acting alone and get
together they can and will beat back these principals because many of them haven't a clue and
I think they got their degrees the old fashion way and that is they found them in the bottom of a
cracker jack box! Go after them, but stick to the facts and that is that most teachers know more
than these educrats and we need to make, no force them to back up their "book crap" with real
experience and data, and in turn get their butts up in front of a classroom and teach a lesson,
or go sit down and come back when they can teach a lesson! Again, I am totally with you here,
when they attack go after them and they will leave you alone. When you don't burst into tears,
these whimps don't know what to do and they will choose the safe way out and stay away from
you if they know you are crazier then them!!! I tired of teachers always turning the other cheek and
getting it slapped too! That is exactlu why I left my school because I was a few minutes away from
slapping the "stupid" out of one these little witches, BUT she was not worth it! Violencemay not be
the answer but sometimes slapping a "bitch" is the only think you have left!
by Not Chicken (Jun 7, 2012)
WILL THE LOW TEST SCORES FINALLY WAKE THAT SORRY ASS BOARD UP AND GET RID OF KING
GRIER AND HIS BAND OF MERRY FOOLS...I FORGOT THE BOARD IS THE BAND OF MERRY FOOLS
by LOST CAUSE (Jun 7, 2012)
(Editor: I'm thinking no because the board approved Grier's summer investment in paying
highly qualified teachers (at least Grier recognized what good teachers should be paid per
hour. Too bad he is only throwing that money at STAAR tudors. What about the teachers
who are re-teaching courses for credit? Don't they deserve the same wage?) Students have
several opportunities to retest and they weren't notified about results until school was
out...)
Advice from houstonisdwatch blogger: When being bullied, stand your ground:
To all the teacher that are being bullied, you have to call the bully out. That is what I did with a principal
I had. She would harrass me on a daily basis. She confronted me in another teacher's room and started
to reprimand me. After she finished, I called her everything but an ignorant B$%#h. Also, I dared her to
come to my classroom with another fake observation or tell me when to take my class out for recess.
My co-worker told me she was crying when I left her class. At the end of the year she put resignation
paper in my box, I with my evaluation, I gave them back to her and told her I am leaving this school, and
if you want me gone you will give me a glowing reccommendation. Also, I told her that if I have to return
to this hell hole, I promise you the union will live in this building. Teachers it is time for you to stop being
afraid of idiots we call administrators, parents and STAND YOUR GROUND!
by NOT A PUSH OVER (Jun 7, 2012)
Is Xochitl Rodriguez-Davila competent enough to be a leader of leaders??
Pity the poor principals. Will she call THEM into her office and tell THEM they shouldn't be able to sleep
at night because scores are so low. THAT is what she did to Lee teachers. And, by the way, what ARE
Lee scores. Do we know? It has been awful quiet.
by teacher (Jun 7, 2012)
by Really:
@Old War Horse don't get too excited about Xochitl Rodriguez-Davila leaving Lee HS as the Principal.
She is now the SIO of the Apollo HS, so she will oversee the principals of Lee, Sharpstown, Kashmere
and Jones.
by Really (Jun 7, 2012)
Still waiting on...
Item 3 in houstonisdwatch's Open Records Request regarding Xochitl Rodriguez-Davila's
principalship of Lee High School reads as follows: "Grievances filed against Ms.
Rodriguez-Davila by staff members she supervised at Lee and any other schools
where she served as an administrator. Please include all complaints made to
HISD's E.E.O. Office and the disposition of those complaints."
As soon as houstonisdwatch receives that information, it will be posted.
Epson LCD projector stolen from Lee on 10/28/2010
Report of suspicious, intoxicated male inside Lee High School on 11/5/2010
Reporting the information found...
The information regarding Xochitl Rodriguez-Davila's police reports is responsive
to the Open Records Request made on April 18, 2011. Providing the findings
on this site is not subjective. It is informational. Davila used civil authorities
after contacting HISD police, demonstrating her commitment to school
safety.
I post all the information I receive. Readers and bloggers can draw their
own conclusions.
These reports are in the public's interest to post. They sum up events that
occurred on taxayer-funded public school campuses.
One item of interest to the HISD community concerns grievances filed by staff
members she supervised. This information will be put online once it is
received by houstonisdwatch.
This next posting is cited as a middle school in the HPD report. but it was made
by Ms. Davila. HPD reported that on school property suspects were cited for
disruption of school activities by fighting with closed fists. Read the HPD report.
Lee High: Fighting in public in front of the large gym.
Nov. 17, 2010, suspect disrupting the educational process.
From chron.com: Test scores arrive too late to be useful to some students
ARLINGTON ISD FIRES SUPERINTENDENT FOR NO APPARENT REASON
It can be done
R.-Davila's Lee High: Fights, intoxicated students, disruption of learning process, all
reported to HPD by HISD police:
Fight in the gym
Fight on the 3rd floor, a notorious location for gang brawls
Trespasser in Lee building
R.-Davila reported burglary at Lee High on Feb. 21, 2011, at 7:30 a.m. $12,287 in
merchandise, mainly laptops, stolen or damaged.
Grier calls teachers to thank them; he is told to listen to teachers more
From Daily Kos Editor, can you please post the link? Thanks
Today at 11 AM - Thursday June 7 - hundreds of New York parents and kids are taking to
the streets to protest:
* High-stakes testing which crowds out meaningful learning, e.g., critical thinking, complex writing,
reading actual books, exploring ideas, research, experiments.
* The excessive power and influence billion dollar for-profit company Pearson has over our NYS Education
Department - the tests are eating up resources and taking up children's time. Meanwhile, NY SED and Pearson
have no accountability as they refuse to ever release the tests, which had nearly 30 questions invalidated this
spring due to errors and poor quality.
Come join us today if you're in midtown Manhattan - we're protesting in front of Pearson HQ at 53rd and 6th
avenue - more info at www.parentvoicesny.org or below
by B Enlightened (Jun 7, 2012)
From Elrod Parent Organization:
Do not forget Bellard!!!! From what I hear-4 teachers out of the classroom doing what? At least 15-20 teachers
leaving. Scores are low!!! Bullying ongoing!!!!!! How many chances????? How many kids have to deal with this???????
Will not answer questions about magnet money?????? Rolls her eyes all the time at parents!!!!! When will
West University get their chance? 2 schools and counting.
by Elrod Parent Organization (Jun 6, 2012)
(Editor: Information about Ms. Bellard has been requested, including her assigment record, interview documentation,
complaints filed against her, reports made to HISD police, expenses and reimbursements, and PROCARD use.
Complaints include those sent to the E.E.O. office. Additionally, similar information has been requested for Pam
Farinas and Mary Cisneros. Turnaround time is most likely four weeks).
Bullying at Elrod
The bullying at Elrod is very bad. I told teachers principal everything.Still nothing The bullying starts with her.
Have seen bullying of teachers.That admin team acts like gang members Talk to you anyway they want. Tells
parents that the teachers are incompetentReally bad place. No one bothers to say we messed up We are sorry.
Children seen their teacher getting yelled at by admin team member. Tells parents that she was hand picked by
Dr. Grier. I just cannot believe this Just because I am poor does not mean I should have low anything. Sad state
of events. When you are poor you get the worse. You really do. We want better for our kids like anyone else. We
come here for better. We want our kids to go to college.
by Glee (Jun 6, 2012)
HISD SYSTEM ISN'T WORKING
Quick summary of 9th grade STAAR Results - approx 12,000 took tests, 7,500 failed at least one test
which equals 63% meaning that only 37% passed all of their end of year tests. Combining the passing
rates for each exam, I show that the overall test pass rate was 68% - meaning that approx 1 in 3 tests
were FAILED - at that is even with those incredibly low pass percentages published in the Chronicle
yesterday like 37% is passing in Algebra... WHEN ARE PEOPLE GOING TO REALIZE THE HISD SYSTEM
ISN'T WORKING????
by Really? (Jun 7, 2012)
Will STAAR results give Grier more license to increase Apollo funding??
And, @ Really, how much money is being invested into Apollo schools? Are their extra millions being put to good
use? Are the stripping away of excellent teachers at those schools worth what these scores show? Let's compare them
with pre-Apollo scores.
by HISD Teacher (Jun 7, 2012)
Lee principalship job posted:
Seems Lee Principal is moving on.... Xochitl Rodriguez-Davila's job is posted on HISD website.
100388 Principal, High School 6/5/2012 Until job is filled Performance Contract Main Administration C
omplex Lee High School Z 12 $86,000.00 $97,250.00
by Old War Horse (Jun 6, 2012)
Grier always finds a way to blame the teacher...
"HISD is encouraging the students who failed the tests and others who did poorly to attend summer school,
though it is not mandatory. Students do not have to pass the exams to be promoted to the next grade level,
but Grier said Thursday that he is considering requiring students who score particularly low to repeat a
course and take it from a different teacher." (from E. Mellon's report)
GRIER'S EXTRA PAY PROPOSAL APPROVED
chron.com's first article on HISD STAAR results (Thank you Thomas Iocca)
Thousands of Houston ISD high school students must retake new state exams after failing
them last spring — or risk not graduating.
Students performed the worst on the end-of-course writing exam, with 47 percent of freshmen
passing; that means about 6,100 freshmen failed, according to information to be presented to the
school board Thursday morning.
The students can retake the tests, part of the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness,
in July, in the fall or later in high school if needed.
Ninth-graders in the Houston Independent School District also struggled on the reading exam, with
59 percent meeting the passing, or satisfactory, standard.
Read rest of chron.com's report.
Louisiana makes bold bid to privitize public education
You decide if this one is an appropriate use of HPD's time. It most likely demonstrates
an HISD principal in over her head: "Houston ISD police officer contacted (who in
turn contacted HPD) by school administrator regarding student using abuse/
profane language."
Drugs found at Lee High? OMG. R.-Davila makes HPD report: "The school principal
found a small clear pastic bag with a green leafy substance that appeared to
be marijuana."
Xochitl Rodriguez-Davila reports juvenile Lee student to HPD for Minor Offense 1 -
Intoxication (possession marijuana juv)
Terroristic threat made against R.-Davila and Lee High School? Lee principal
accuses Lee student of making terroristic threat based on letters found in
student's back pack
Xochitl Rodriguez-Davila reports alleged rape (sexual assault by bodily force) of 17-year-old
Hispanic female on Rampart St. near Lee campus
Xochitl Rodriguez-Davila's vendor expenses including trip to Austin on October 13, 14 2011 that
cost $1079.09
TFA has never solved HISD problems but Grier and Harvin Moore
continue to wait for the TFA miracle
HISD waiting to TFA crop because teachers really don't need experience to be good, right?
from Marc:
Yes many schools have openiings they are NOT listing like Lee HS and others because they are waiting for
the new crop of TFAers to complete their 4 week training camp this summer to be magically transformed into
none other then the "highly qualified effective" teachers that TEAM-HISD loves and might I add use to replace
"certified" teachers with more experience! Yah sure some will say that being certified or experienced dosen't
mean anything. BUT I bet that Grier, Board members, and many idiot principal would rather have an expeienced,
certified doctor conducting their lobotomies instead a a one year resident!?! When and how did it become so
acceptable to "dump" all these college graduates with worthless degrees in French Lit, African Studies, Journalism,
Russian Roulette, Latin American Lit, etc. onto the students who need experienced teachers the most and then
leave after their two years are done, IF they even last that long? And when you get rid of your veteran teachers,
who is going to train the new ones? NOT these ignorant principals because most of them NEVER taught in a
classroom long enough to get any experience themselves. Look around the district at the level of education
half of these dumb leaders have? Just because you went to some online college and bought a degree, doesn't
mean you are smart! It may mean you're a "smart ass" like Grier desires but as for running or ruining a school
we can see which they do best! Golfcrest ES, Bonham ES, Lee HS, Gregory-Lincoln ES/MS, Frost ES, Young ES,
Pin Oak MS, and the list could go on and on! So again, this is exactly why HISD schools are NOT listin all their
vacancies, because they aer afraid of the bad publicity that it will bring upon Grier;s Kingdom! But we all know
the truth and the truth will come out in the end! HISD is NOT as great as the public thinks because of all the
spin and grin!
by Marc (Jun 6, 2012)
No released information on Golfcrest yet
Any word on documents to be released about Golfcrest yet? Still wondering what happened to instructional
coordinator accused of cheating/misconduct on STAAR? Suddenly wasn't testing coordinator and was from
then on was in hiding which is VERY odd for her. Funny, a teacher would have been canned but not admin.
Or maybe the documents involve Cisneros having people's evaluations raised because she liked them last
year or lowered this year because she didn't like them. Or maybe the uncertified teachers or ones working in
grades they're not certified for? Or maybe all the assaults on teachers, knives, gun and drugs she's hiding
from the public that the school's been dealing with this year?
by Curious (Jun 6, 2012)
HISD looking for summer school STAAR teachers in addition to 763 teachers
for the 2012-13 opening school year
From Abascus:
It is pretty sad and silly that the teachers leaving Lee and have been accepted elsewhere were still
tip toeing around the last day of school. Davilal has done an awesome job at creating pure unadulterated
fear. It is also true that many, many, many teachers are leaving. Interviews are going on as we speak in
other schools. We all want out. Why would anyone want to be miserable all the time in their job. Doesn't
enjoyment have something to do with teaching? Don't think Davila and the APs think so at all. What a
sad miserable place Lee has become.
by Abascus (Jun 2, 2012
Documents released in answer to Xochitl Rodriguez-Davila Open Records Request
So far her official letter of assignment to Lee, salary history, employment history, and
complaints/contact she initiated with HPD have been released. EEO records and
teacher complaints filed against her have yet to be released.
Insiders report many teachers leaving Lee but only one opening is posted on the HISD job site
(job posting 675)
There are so many teachers fleeing Lee High School that it has almost become a joke. What IS Daliva
admitting to? Why are all of us leaving. Abuse to teachers and abuse to students and extreme favoritism
of TFA. We are so done with her.
by Abacus (May 30, 2012)
Profile of Gulfton neighborhood many Lee students call home
Xochitl Rodriguez-Davila began her HISD career as a fifth grade teacher at Gallegos E.S.
earning $33,296 in 1999. She lasted one year, resigning from HISD on August 3, 2000.
She returned to HISD on July 10, 2006, as Gallegos E.S. principal, earning $71,000.
Chuck Morris, former Deputy Chief Academic Officer, recommended R.-Davila for
Lee principalship
Implementation of tougher standards was never going to be easy
Grier's remedy to low passing standards and scores on STAAR: Increase teaching to the test time
in classrooms
from Ericka Mellon's report:
"...Grier said he would prefer to start with the higher standards, even if it means more schools earn the
state's lowest academic rating.
"If they're unacceptable, they're unacceptable," Grier said. "We need to accept the fact that they are what
they are and get very busy trying to improve them..."
Grier contradicts T.E.A.'s stated implementation policy on the STAAR exams. And we know he will punish
HISD classroom teachers when results are finally released except, of course, those individuals who
earn $10,000 teaching STAAR summer school.
Grier, SIOs, principals have scores...what do you think they are doing with them right now?
To all of you that really think you're going to "dig in" and figure out what to teach in your classrooms next year might
as well wait so you don't waste your time! I bet the powers that be are already scouring over your scores and IF they
are low you can bet THEY are going to come up with a plan for you to follow! If your Principal, SIO, TDS, othger campus
elite allow YOU to teach and run your classroom, PLEASE tell us all what schools you're at because I am on my way!
Otherwise once again, I can just about bet come August anyone with low scores will be in meetings listening to the
elite TELL YOU what you're teaching, when you're teaching it, and what results they expect! Or you can look forward
to someone being placed on a growth plan as they used to be called! Good luck and I admire your determination!
Hope it works out for you and others! But since King Grier's arrival, teachers have lost more control over their
classrooms than ever before in HISD! So when HE wants total control, he also must take the biggest share of
the blame for the failures!
by Dreamland (May 30, 2012)
Contact: Editor@houstonisdwatch.com
Link to previous pages.
Link to Open Records reports, AEIS reports, and more.
Use comment tag to express your opinion. houstonisdwatch.com
wants to hear from you, especially from HISD insiders.
