Use comment tag below to express your opinion.
houstonisdwatch.com wants to hear from you, especially from HISD insiders.


Ann Best should promise teachers: No bully principals to be hired
STAAR results bad enough to prompt this emergency request for teachers from
Throwing money at the STAAR problem is Grier's attempt to thwart all the bad press
he is going to receive when he is finally forced to release the district scores & profile.

Expect unanimous support from rubber-stamp board.




Dear Teachers,

I cannot emphasize enough my appreciation for the hard work and dedication that you have shown
all year long for your students and for their academic success. This was a year of many accomplishments
and many “firsts” —not the least of which for many of you was preparing students to take the STAAR end
of course (EOC) exams. We knew that STAAR was going to be a challenge, and districts state-wide have
experienced that. However, it is also a new opportunity for us to see just how much more we can achieve
with our students so that they can graduate on time prepared for college and career.

To ensure our 9th grade STAAR EOC test takers and 12th grade TAKS test takers are on track for graduation,
we are launching an initiative to meet the immediate need to work with students who must retake and pass
a STAAR EOC or TAKS exam this summer. Our goal is to hire approximately 300 teachers who can help us offer
our students the extra support needed to meet the passing requirements for these tests.
Full-time High School STAAR EOC and TAKS exam teachers will earn $6,500 in base pay (20 days X 6.5 hours
@ $50 per hour = $6,500), plus the opportunity to earn a substantial bonus. Teachers hired to teach summer
school for which a STAAR EOC exam or TAKS retest is necessary will receive $50 per hour, pending board
approval on June 7th.

· STAAR EOC teachers can earn a $250 bonus for each Level I summer school student they teach who did not
meet the minimum and who then scores at Level II on the STAAR exam administered in July 2012—up to a
maximum bonus of $10,000.

· STAAR EOC teachers can earn $150 for each Level I summer school student they teach who met the minimum
and who then scores at Level II on the STAAR exam administered in July 2012—up to a maximum bonus of
$10,000.

· TAKS teachers can earn a $150 bonus for each exit level re-tester who passes the TAKS—up to a maximum
bonus of $10,000.
We will be offering one recruitment event next week to help us meet this critical need. Details are included in
the table and link below. Principals will be there to meet with and hire additional STAAR EOC and TAKS summer
school teachers.
High School EOC Summer School Recruitment Events:
Date

Time

Place

June 5th

4:30-6:30pm

HMW Board Auditorium


Please click here<https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/HISDSUMMERSCHOOLFAIR> for more information and
to register to attend the recruitment event. Please send any additional questions about registration to: SummerSchoolSignUp@houstonisd.org<mailto:SummerSchoolSignUp@houstonisd.org>.

Training for summer school teachers will be held on June 6th and 7th. Students will attend summer school from
June 11th through July 12th. Teachers and students will have July 4th & 5th as vacation days. We will run summer
school from June 11th through July 12th; Monday through Thursday each week; six and one-half hours per day—
8:00 am -2:30 pm; four one and one-half hour instructional sessions per day; and a maximum of 20 students
per class period and 80 students per teacher.

Thank you in advance for your willingness to help deliver this vital summer school support to our high school students.
Sincerely,
Ann Best
Chief Human Resources Officer


Grier hand picks new principals for Deady and Ryan; More bullies on the way??
-----Original Message-----
From: Grier, Terry B
Sent: Friday, June 01, 2012 11:23 AM
To: SIO_tg; Chiefs; Middle School Principals
Cc: Elementary School Principals; High School Principals
Subject: MS Principals (Deady and Ryan)

TEAM -

It gives me great pleasure to announce the following two principal appointments for the coming school year.

1- Ivonne Rodriguez has been named the new principal of Deady Middle School for the 2012-2013 school year.
Ivonne has been a member of Team HISD for 14 years as an employee and attended HISD schools as a student.
She has a strong instructional background having served as a Dean of Instruction at Eastwood Academy High
School as well as an Instructional Specialist at Sam Houston Math, Science, & Technology Center. In addition,
Ivonne participated in HISD's Secondary Leadership Program (AP1 and AP2), which provided her with valuable
knowledge and experience to effectively lead a campus.

2- Jeannie Porter has been named the new principal of Ryan Middle School for the 2012-2013 school year.
Jeannine has served as a teacher at Hallsville High School in Hallsville, Texas prior to joining Sharpstown
High School as Dean of Students, a position she has successfully held for the last four years. Jeannine
oversaw the 9th grade center at Sharpstown and has been instrumental in the turnaround efforts at the
school. In addition, Jeannine served as the middle school liaison in her role at Sharpstown where she
was responsible for ensuring students transitioned successfully from middle school to high school.

Please join me in congratulating Ivonne and Jeannine on their new leadership roles. -- Terry Grier




JASON CATCHINGS, FIRST YEAR PRINCIPAL, PROVES KISSING GRIER'S BIG
BUTT IS ALL IT TAKES TO BE FREE TO DO WHATEVER THE HELL HE WANTS
Example of Grier's anti-student principals: Scarborough's Jason Catchings lays off
popular boys soccer coach; soccer players and parents protest but Catchings can't
be bothered to listen. He's bringing in his buddies (and customers for his hunting
and fishing business, we wonder?) Grier doesn't care about kids or parents either,
so Catchings gets away with poor school leadership


Hostile work environment responsible for teacher exodus from HISD

HISD teachers will be busy looking for new jobs this summer like Titanic:
To HISD parent, Yes I plan to do more for my students next year in Alief ISD! I am tired of being told what to teach,
when to teach it, and follow the plan set by those NOT in the classroom! Do you realize that we. the teachers,
are told what to teach by TDS's, SIO's, Administrators, curriculmn specialists, DIRECTED to teach test objectives
daily, give district benchmark tests weekly, AND to top it off have students who are on "test overload" and don't
care about them anymore! Many parents are sick and tired of all the homework being geared to testing also.
SO again, I do take some blame, I do know how to teach and run a classroom, and that's why I want to be
where I can do just that with as little "outside" intrusion as possible and within HISD that is NOT being allowed
at the present time! With the "culture of total control" thriving in TEAM-HISD where the "educrats" that left the
classrooms are now directing the teachers as to what they want in your room, how they want your room arranged,
boardwork, and the list goes on and on they might as well put robots in the rooms because they have taken
all authority away from the teachers and KILLED their motivation, spirit, and morale! SO......I will be taking my
skills like many, many others to other districts in hope of real change! AND believe me, it was a decision NOT
made lightly BUT for self preservation and my sanity because HISD has lost it!
by Titanic (Jun 1, 2012)




HISD can't manage the money it has; giving it more is like flushing it down the
commode; From KTRK.com.


Local media picks up story: Teachers are leaving HISD "in droves"
From MyFoxHouston.com
Bullying by campus principals; principals incapable or unwilling to discipline
students cited as main reasons

KHOU report: teachers pushed out to save $$


INVESTIGATING HISD'S INEPT PRINCIPALS
Documents on R.-Davila to to be released later today.
Elrod, Golfcrest, Greg.-Lincoln principals next

Although HISD parent's comment is logical, it ignores the mean-spirited,
micro-managed culture Grier demands
In HISD, the art of teaching exists in isolated pockets, if at all.
In the past, it flourished, applauded by appreciative principals
and universally respected.

Teachers have been directed to comply, not to innovate, as
compliance is the key to the district's aggrandizement and
Grier's future contract maximums.

Grier's power structure is best epitomized by the SIOs, spies and
enforcers of central offices dictates.

HISD teachers have been stripped of many classroom perogatives,
replaced by demands made by principals and a mandatory testing
schedule that devoured instructional time.

So...yes...low test scores are to be blamed on Grier. Yes, Grier and his
army of educrats have usurped decision-making at all levels. The
usurpers are accountable for results.

Remember, Grier wants absolute authority; he is, therefore, absolutely
responsible.

From HISD parent:
Attention everyone demanding the test scores......keep in mind that poor STAAR results don't reflect
just poor leadership, they also reflect poor instruction.......so isn't your gleeful "gee we've got Grier now"
attitude a bit misguided? Passing the buck to Grier isn't going to work for the average parent. Teachers
are also responsible for low scores----or are you looking to absolve teachers of all responsibility?
by HISD parent (Jun 1, 2012)


Buying out Grier's contract is a short-term fix but five HISD trustees need to get
the boot too

The five Grier sycophants - Harvin Moore (who has demonstrated little respect for veteran
teachers; Larry Marshall (who is so caught up in self-aggrandizement and scandal he can't
cross Grier); Greg Meyers (like Marshall, he owes his protection and livelihood to Grier);
Paula Harris (like Marshall but not caught up in lawsuits; Manuel Rodriguez (insiders
at HISD knew all about Rodriguez's planned gay attack flyer but did nothing about it) -
would hire someone just like Grier if given the chance. The movement to change the
culture in HISD needs louder voices and a committed action plan

Kick Grier out fund
If HISD want to save face as a respectable school district, we as teachers, principals, clerical staff,
custodial staff, police, and all others should donate $20 dollars each so we could raise $540,000 to
buy Terry Grier out of his contract. This would money well spent. He can take the money and a one
way plane ticket back to Canada.
by Kick Grier out fund (May 31, 2012)

@Kick Grier Out Fund........Where can I make my donation? Make check payabe to who? Instead of $20,
I'll make it $100! Get his ass out of here today!
by Sho You Right! (May 31, 2012)


@Kick Grier Out Fund
I will donate my coaching stipend, my Aspire bonus, and $20 to get clown Grier out of town. The only
condition is that he not be allowed to accept another position in education. As bad as I want him out of
here, I would want him destroying another school district. Anyone else on board?
by Second That Emotion (May 31, 2012)


Another year of undue pressure, harassment, lack of appreciation for many of HISD's
excellent veteran teachers: When will it end?
@Oh Please:

I, too, would like to see this misguided administration leave, but I doubt our school board has the courage
or integrity to do the right thing. Remember, they needlessly extended Dr. Grier's contract last December
(even though they weren't required to do so). If, by some miracle, Dr. Grier is removed, Houston's taxpayers
will be on the hook for an even larger buy-out of Grier's most recent contract. Thank you, HISD School Board.

But, really, does anyone think our board members will suddenly grow spines (and consciences) and put an end
to this administration's disastrous decisions? Too many board members have a quid pro quo relationship with
this superintendent. Although school board trustees receive no salary, it is obvious that there are, potentially,
very lucrative "fringe benefits" that go along with this position. Ask Mr. Larry Marshall and/or Mrs. Paula Harris.
They support the superintendent's poor policy-making in return for little to no oversight of their dealings with
family members/friends/vendors. Everybody wins - except the students and teachers. Never fear, however, the
district is spending thousands to make sure our board members receive the appropriate ethics training.

For the last two years, I have been telling anyone and everyone about the district's systematic dismantling of
Attucks Middle School. This blog reveals similar travesties on many other HISD campuses. Some really excellent
teachers were replaced for no other reasons than age and salary. Sadly, the new teachers in these struggling
schools see that they have committed career suicide by foolishly accepting positions on difficult campuses. In
Dr. Terry Grier's world, poor performance equals poor instruction and the teacher must go. Thanks to Dr. Grier, no
one will want to teach in our most difficult schools any more. So, in spite of Dr. Grier's good intentions (I'll give him
the benefit of the doubt), he has made some of our struggling schools even worse. What happens when he leaves?

One final point: I am very curious to see how our "No Excuses" superintendent spins the STAAR results.

Teachers, may each and every one of you have a LONG, peaceful, and relaxing summer break.
by Thoms Iocca (May 31, 2012)



HISD taxpayers are footing the bill for Larry Marshall's defense in contractor suit:
from Texas Education:
A civil lawsuit accusing Trustee Larry Marshall of bribery, money laundering, wire fraud and
racketeering filed a year-and-a-half ago has cost taxpayers of the Houston Independent School
District at least $242,000 in legal fees.

HISD officials provided that dollar amount to Texas Watchdog late Friday afternoon.

Texas Watchdog had been asking since August for the public records that show how much taxpayer
money the district has paid lawyers for Marshall and HISD to fight the allegations.
Read rest of Texas Education report.
Cost to defend Larry Marshall

From Thomas Iocca on STAAR scores: Out of sight, out of mind
Here's a quote from this morning's Houston Chronicle regarding STAAR scores :

"Jason Spencer would say only that a significant number of ninth graders failed, refusing to release
specific numbers until the scores for all grade levels arrive from the test company."

Does this sound like a stalling tactic to anyone else? When did test results start arriving in pieces?
Perhaps Dr. Grier and Mr. Spencer are hoping that everyone will simply leave for summer vacation
and forget about the STAAR results.
by Thomas Iocca (May 31, 2012)


HISD's media relations puts out piece about school safety on last day

HAA Academy: Teacher who complained was fired
Watch KHOU video
Are you surprised? HISD teacher says school administrators ignore threats from
students; Jason Spencer stated "The principal [at HSAA] has received no complaints from teachers
concerned about student disciplinary practices.."
Union rep agrees with teacher complaints.
Read KHOU report.

Leaving children behind: Grier agreed to work for San Diego Unifed School District on a per diem
basis while still under contract with Guilford County Schools

"BIGGEST CAUSE OF THE INSTABILITY IN THE RANKS OF GUILFORD COUNTY PRINCIPALS WAS
TERRY GRIER"
In Guilford County Schools Grier regularly ran off principals, just like he's doing in HISD

Grier was only in San Diego
Submitted by Dman94 on Fri, 2012-01-20 20:48.

Grier was only in San Diego for one year. I think he went to Texas after that. Not sure where he went from there.
Maybe he should take a similar position with a school district in Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, or Iran!

I guess Grier forgot that San Diego is the home base of BOTH the US Navy and USMC! He could not battle
hat and win! It would be a better world had he attempted this!

It has been pointed out that
Submitted by DocF on Fri, 2012-01-20 10:13.

It has been pointed out that the biggest cause of the instability in the ranks of Guilford County principals
was Terry Grier and his policies of shuffling these people to create instability and to allow him to bring in
his cronies from outside the system. He is gone and the people of San Diego have to deal with him now.
Guilford County will have to survive some more time with principals being moved or ousted to get rid of the
riff-raff the Grier brought in.

I spent more than 25 years as an outside contractor for the school system. I was in every one of the schools
several times each school year. I do know what was going on and how it affected both staff and students.
Believe me, it was not pretty.
Read the News & Record's complete report






HISD board pres wants Grier to have materials ready next time
HISD discusses budget in a public forum but refuses to release printed materials -
a potential violation of the Open Records Act- when requested, HISD gives reporters
copies
from Texas Watchdog:
"...But “from a citizen’s point of view that is pretty ridiculous,” said Tom Gregor, a Houston lawyer who answers
questions on open government from the public through a hotline provided by the Freedom of Information
Foundation of Texas in Austin.

State law does not obligate HISD, or any government entity, to distribute public records during an open meeting.
meeting.

“But providing public information so people can follow the meeting would be in the spirit of open government,” r
Gregor said. “Withholding that information seems to serve no other purpose than preventing the public from
understanding the information.”
Read Mike Cronin's complete report.


  The lose-lose value of EVAAS
San Diego Schools view value added evals as a distraction
VALUE ADDED EVALUATIONS ARE A SIDESHOW GRIER'S FORMER DISTRICT SAYS
San Diego Unified School District not only reversed many of Grier's decisions when he
left, they have repudiated his self-ordained biggest achievement in HISD: Value added
scores to teacher evaluations
from the Voice of San Diego: 
"...The San Diego Unified school board and school superintendent Bill Kowba know all about value-added metrics.

They’re just not interested in using them.

District leaders shrug off value-added as a fad, saying it’s yet to be proven to push up student achievement.
Similarly, they say revamping the district’s teacher evaluation process would be a sideshow that would detract
from the serious work they’re doing to improve teacher performance..."
Read the complete report.

National Comprehensive Center for Teacher Quality places emphasis on teacher preparation


Concerned Parent reports Elrod is slipping away
Bellard is still employed because no one cares. Believe me parents have been complaining. We have formed
a group of parents. The board does not listen. Good teachers that care are leaving the school. Kids hate it there.
Pulled my child. Title 1 money wasted on teachers that never have students. Four academic coaches none bothered
to go in class that had 5 subs. Teachers beats on computer to get it to start. Several days the aides were in classes
all day without teachers. Where is magnet money going? Technology medical that is crap. Culture of fear. Teachers
will not talk to me because she holds appraisal against them. Kids disrespect each other. Name calling. Teachers
basically saying give your kid a better opportunity. It won't happen under this leadership. Completely unorganized
low standards. Not supportive not approachable. Unequal opportunity and access. Get a real leader
by Concerned Parent (May 30, 2012)

Elrod is doomed
Why is Linda Bellard still on payroll? Parents have complained, teachers from both schools. How many schools
does she have to run through before she is deemed ineffective? Teachers jumping ship. She ran through Blackshear
and has employment probably for another year. So much for promises of an effective principal in every school. Why
is HISD paying her still? Who gets this many chances? Scores are probably low at Elrod too, Will blame everyone
except herself. Kids will get a break from bullies over the summer. How many kids will be left behind before someone
gets a clue?
by Elrod is doomed (May 30, 2012)

If HISD is doomed blame poor leadership from the trustees, Grier, and Grier's hand-picked administrators
Do you guys think that Bellard, Davila, and Winn are the only principals running schools in the ground? This is the most
pathetic administration in the history of HISD. I'm talking from Grier on down. Susan Monaghan is my principal and she
was knocked off her high horse with the low STAAR scores at Pin Oak this week. Now with these low scores and people
jumping ship over here, I wonder how long Lindo will continue to try and save her? And I can confirm that she did make the
comment in a faculty meeting that SIO's are a waste of money in HISD and we don't need them. But she realized that she
put her foot in her. mouth and quickly apologized for her usual unprofessional behavior. She best be glad that these
scores don't count cause I doubt this campus would have barely received an acceptable rating this school year. Whew
she caught a lucky break!
by HISD is Doomed (May 31, 2012)




Exodus of teachers from Scarborough reported: 27 leaving our of 39 assigned 
Catchings has posted two vacancies for Scarborough: History & Math



If recall isn't in the books, a no confidence vote for Harris, Meyers, Marshall, Moore, and
Rodriguez is certainly necessary and appropriate!

From Jesse Alred's blog:
Why Bring Race Into It? (more commentary on the Hispanic Education Crisis)

My experiences teaching sixteen-years in a Hispanic-majority high school have been mixed.

I had some wonderful years, and hold the record along with my students for the number of HISD students
in a minorities-only classroom to pass AP exams in a school year, and we hold second place as well, and
third place.

But many of my essays have been critical of the impact of Hispanic leaders in urban school politics.
Read rest of Alred's commentary.



Tell Arne Duncan, U.S. Ed. Secretary, your child is not  a test score!

Lee High School disarray
Does everyone know that every single math teacher at Lee is leaving?
by M.T. (May 25, 2012)

Does everyone know most, if not all, the English teachers at LEE are leaving?
by M.T. (May 25, 2012)
(Editor: Lee only has one job opening posted on the HISD job board. Curious,
isn't it? What is R.-Davila up to?)


Recalling the school board? HISD policy does not permit recall elections
Let's recall our School Board!

Let's start a petition!
by RECALL THIS SCHOOL BOARD (May 25, 2012)

@RECALL THIS SCHOOL BOARD-can we legally do a recall and if not how about we file a bill to allow
us to do it? I have learned quite a bit from my friends in WI.
by Be Enlightened (May 25, 2012)


Starting with Mec and Elementary Teacher: To evaluate your teaching effectiveness to prepare for
STAAR, review your classroom practices
If our scores are low, let's take a look at our classroom practice. What do we need to do differently? I am
asking myself this question--blaming Terry Grier is the easy way out. He's not working with my students
day in and day our, I am. If I want to take credit for their successes, then I need to also take responsibility
for their failures. That's it in a nutshell. I am going to think long and hard about how I can improve as a teacher
next year. I'm good, but I want to be better---and that's not going to happen if I blame Terry Grier, my principal,
or anyone else.
by Starting With Mec (May 29, 2012)

To Starting with Mec.....In a weird way, I agree with you. I can't control what goes on at HMW, but I can control
what goes on in my own classroom. Thanks for posting a realistic comment.
by Elementary Teacher (May 29, 2012)




From a motivational viewpoint, the STAAR test comes up a loser
@Starting with me..... I am aware that as classroom teachers we are responsible for what goes on daily in
our classrooms. What I wish to point out is that the blame should [not] be placed on us alone when the kids are
not achieving. Everyone should be held accountable. My principal skins & grins with everyone when things
are going good. Then he hollers, threatens your job, and won't speak to you when things are not. Grier & Company
need to realize the morale is low and ineffective leadership is running the show in the district. Something has got to
change & soon. The real losers are the kids we are responsible for & the parents that we are letting down. No one
on Team HISD should have their hand out for a bonus next year. Its a dark day for Houston's children. The School
Board needs to wake the hell up!
by Totally Agree (May 29, 2012)


Well Starting with Me and El. Teacher, I hope to God that Grier, your Principal and the other powers that be within
TEAM-HISD give you the same consideration thet you are giving them!?! Try to use the "well it was a new test" or
"the test set the kids up for failure" excuses and see how far that gets YOU! I bet there are going to be a heck of a
lot of teachers called in and placed on growth plans and the fast track for termination while Grier skates on through
with his spinmasters touting how hard it was and that Grier will still get HIS bonus just like he did this year after NOT
meeting HIS objectives! Well I think I will be carrying my umbrella with me in the days to come BECAUSE I see a huge
storm cloud on the horizon, and all hell in about to rain down on teachers and others will certainly weather the storm
quite well! Wonder who will survive this tornado in one piece? I'll give you two guesses and as they say, 'the first one
doesn't count!" Again, take cover because the forcast for HISD is bleak at best!
by Marc (May 29, 2012)


JT's comment sums up what many of us are wondering
What can we do to get HISD to report the STAAR scores??? I would like to know how the district did...
by JT (May 29, 2012)
(Editor: I want to believe Ericka Mellon has been dogging HISD and her former Houston Chronicle
colleague Jason Spencer for those scores. Even if she made an Open Records Request now,
HISD would have 10 more days to spin  results.)





How has NCLB influenced teachers' content and methods in the classroom?

Has NCLB encouraged schools to teach to the test?

@ John: HISD teachers did not teach to the test
I don't think we taught to the test I think the test was squed way against us since we could never in a
life timne teach what they put on that stupid thing. It was geared to make our teachers look bad, we
have consistantly had scores from 95-99% so how does 35-40% make any kind of sense!!
by Former HISD Employee (May 29, 2012)

To Former HISD Employee, if the teachers are held accountable for thier test results you darn well bet King
Grier better be held accountable too! He's running this district, into the ground by the way, and he needs to
"man up" and take responsibility and YES we should hold his "feet to the fire" because he makes the big
decisions, the big bucks, and gets the biggest bonus so HE should take the biggest share of the failure rate
too! Anything less from him would be considered shameful! "ring".."ring"....could that be the East Coast c
alling their favorite stooge home? Hope he takes the call!
by Yah Right (May 29, 2012)
@ Yah Right

Former HISD Employee: Principals did not man up!
Yes he is the boss but if the principals "maned up" and had a backbone then all this benchmark testing and
what not would never happen they are the 1st line of defense not Grier for scores the principals,SIO's and all
the other admin. people who dictate rather than fight for less testing. I jus tthink there is too much blameing
Grier and not enough others!!
by Former HISD Employee (May 29, 2012)

John: Pitfalls when you teach to the test
@Former HISD Employee,

This is what happens when you teach to a test based on what the perception of what the test will be like,
rather than teaching actual content.

Honestly reminds me of the whole Kilgo model that HISD is throwing money at. It's a glorified "teach to the
test" model that, as can be seen with the scores this year, is ineffective.
by John (May 29, 2012)


Former HISD Employee defends Grier
In respect for Grier(I have no real respect for the man) but my district got its scores Friday and released them
to us Friday afternoon. It is NOT Grier's fault the scores in HISD are low its the fault of the test makers and the
state of TX.

Districts across TX are having the same problem low scores!!

So you can't blame Grier for them.

We taught the curriculum and the rigor but the test tested things that were not even a TEK or were so vaguely
related to a TEK that you would have to be a mind reader to figure out the answer. Even colleges don't teach
everything related to a dicipline so you can't blame Grier for low scores and you can't blame teachers. You could
blame the students for not paying attention in class, not studying and not doing the work to prepare for the test
but DON'T BLAME THE TEACHERS!!! Its not their fault, we worked very hard dispite the fact that the test did
not count this year.
by Former HISD Employee (May 29, 2012)






Grier's performance on TAKS missed the mark, barely edging up readi ng
scores. It's safe to assume no gains, or miniscule gains, on STAAR

GRIER HAS NEVER MET HIS BENCHMARK ACHIEVEMENT GOALS
REMEMBER GRIER MISSED 2/3 OF STUDENT ACHIEVEMENT GOALS IN LAST EVALUATION
Marc sums up general consensus about HISD's STAAR data problems
The main reason that the STARR scores haven't been released yet is because they are AWEFUL and Grier needs
to get into "spin" mode BEFORE he let's the public see them! They in turn will realize what HE has done to HISD
and all the BIG things he promised this district for the future is one huge failure and waste of tax dollars! Do we
get a refund on all the bonus money he received and what about all the teachers fired when THEIR scores were
down a few points and NOT in the 30's and 40's like many schools under his watch???? With all the destruction
and failures he has brought upon this district, when will this board decide that they have spent enough money on
this traveling salesman and that his bill of goods just are NOT a "good fit" for HISD and get rid of him! And please
don't buy into his spin that this test was sooooooo much harder because from all the talk it wasn't! The problem was
that the teacheres were not allowed to teach because of all the test prep BS they were COMMANDED to waste time
on for weeks and the students are fed up with it along with their parents! So while Grier and his PR Dept. try to come
up with "spin" I hope this Board thinks long and hard about holding GRIER accountable? IF they are going to allow
HIM to hold teachers accountable by following his commands and demands. If they don't, I surely hope that the parents
and voters hold THEM accountable come November and VOTE THEM OUT! Grier and his puppets want to control every
from when teachers can take kids to the RR down to what they batter be teaching, when to teach it, and how to present it.
BUT they won't take ANY reesponsibility for their actions, only point the finger and it always seems to be aimed at the
teachers! This IS Grier plan, vision, and failure so he needs to be held accountable! If he would let the teachers do their
jobs, by the way which they are more qualified to do then Grier ever was, kis would be prepared to pass ANY test not just a
few they were trained for throughout the year like STARR and Stanford 10! HISD needs to get out of the TESTING business
and BACK into the teaching business and fast because we are failing too many of our kids with this method they have put
into place under Grier!
by Marc (May 29, 2012)




Technology, Privacy, and Facebook
RE: the questions about monitoring the website or Facebook...

1. If administrators are monitoring this site, the only way they can ID who is writing is if you use your
real name or use too many specific references to incidents or situations that lead the administrator
to guess who is writing.

2. The only way an administrator could read someone's Facebook is if the FB user has not correctly set
up all of the privacy features AND if they have "friended" colleagues who are not very close friends (who
might not be trusted to not show the admins what was written on FB). FB 101 -- use all of the privacy settings,
be very careful about who you accept as a "friend," and, if there is any doubt about who you have friended on
FB then be careful about what you post on FB.

I've occasionally read or heard people saying that some administrator "hacked" into their Facebook profile to
read what they wrote. No administrator in HISD can "hack" into a FB profile. However, they can read anything
that is marked "public" and they can read private posts IF someone else is showing them those posts -- in other
words, if someone the employee has friended is supportive of the administrator and they share the private
posts with the administrator. To be clear, yes the administrator may have gained access to what you thought
was private, but by definition they did not "hack" your profile.
by Technology & Privacy (May 29, 2012)



Freedom of speech & houstonisdwatch
Question:How are the administrators monitoring Houstonisd Watch? Would you explain please? I am unclear
why teachers cannot discuss this website and why teachers are not allowed to share this web page on Facebook.
Is there some kind of contract teachers sign? Have teachers been told not to blog? What is to prevent teachers
from using someone else's Blog name? Did I miss something?
by HISD Teacher (May 28, 2012)
(Editor: Yes, you have every right to exercise your 1st amendment rights by reading and commenting on
material, media, and websites of your choosing. As I receive information from a variety of sources but
often can't reveal those sources, I know of several situations where administrators asked a broad
question: Who is writing about me and my school on the watch? Earlier this spring an academic mem-
ber, when making an off the cuff comment to teachers at a meeting, said something to the effect of
"Let me clarify that comment. I don't want to show up on the watch." I have names and schools, but
I'm not going to expose sources.

Your confidentialy is assured here when you use a blogging name different from your own. As the
web master, I have no idea who is commenting. I see a preview comment right after you post,
but nothing more than what's indicated in the comment section at the bottom.

I can delete comments. I can't edit them. I can't see the name or email address of who posts.

Regarding Facebook: I have written evidence submitted by a source where an administrator
read a Facebook page and subsequently questioned the Facebook blogger. Are all
employees' Facebook pages being monitored? I do not know. One intrusion of privacy
rights was enough to set off alarms.

Since when is the evil King Grier above the Constitution of this land? I guess his lessons in Social Studies
did not cover the reason our constitution provides us with the right to free speech and freedom from tyranny.
Does he really think he is above the law of the land? I know he thinks he is above the school law of the State
of Texas but that is what happens with all the outsiders the board allowed him to bring in. If "they" are all reading
this then why don't "they" address the issues and hear the frustrations of the parents, teachers and community?
These types of sites only develop because of the injust actions by those who think they hold a power over others.
by Paige M. (May 28, 2012)
(Editor: Yes, you are right. This site, for example, would not exist if the trustees in 2009 had done an inclusive
search for a superintendent, and if the candidate they chose didn't arrive with a tainted resume, a record of
non-achievement, and well-documented problems of getting along with parents and teachers. Grier
has lived up to all the bad publicity he had earned in his previous stints as superintendent.


Official Grier story on withholding TAKS & STAAR results: Issuing cumulative numbers for scores
held up because of "issues with data" - Is this a repeat of last year's last minute ARDS to stay
out of NCLB trouble, or will the scores show Grier as a not-so-effective leader??

Midland ISD releases STAAR test results. Why the drama in HISD?

STAAR test results less straight forward

Current HISD teaching vacancies: 748



The only document released so far R.-Davila:  Her letter of appointment to Lee.

SIOs monitoring selected employees Facebook pages and asking
others if they read houstonisdwatch qualifies them as Grier's thought police enforcement team
The HISD trustees allowed Grier to create an organizational chart that substituted
Executive Principals, who observed teachers and worked with administrators to
improve instruction, with the  Teacher Development Specialist, whose efforts are
receiving very mixed reviews.

The taxpayer money spent on Executive Principals went, instead, to School Improvement
Officers who, by the job description below, have absolutely NOTHING to do with instruction
in HISD and everything to do with being Grier's police force.

Board members like Harvin Moore and Greg Meyers, no doub,t liked the idea of syping on
teachers and giving veteran teachers a hard time.  They are prejudiced towards TFA teachers.

When we complain that HISD does not need a bond election because it squanders the resources
it already has, consider the million+  dollars spent to pay the SIO's. Does Grier deserve his
own police force? Is harassing veteran teachers completely acceptable behavior
in HISD? You already know the answers to those questions.

Sample SIO Salaries (sample because just like the deck chairs on the Titanic, SIOs have
already been moved around, promoted, or simply said enough. The latter groups at
least has some sense.)

HISD'S OFFICIAL STANCE ON WHAT SIOS DO AND DON'T DO:
1) The SIO's don't supervise teachers, that is the role of campus based administrators –
    Attached is SIO Job Description

2) The School assignments are attached for the number of schools an SIO has and the
    specific campuses

3) SIO's may have attended meetings on campus but no copies of those sign in sheets are
     kept centrally, nor are they a requirement for their job.

The Open Records Request houstonisdwatch made to HISD was to see teacher and SIO
signature sign-in sheets for meetings and professional development.  So HISD has
stated for the record SIOs have nothing to do with the most essential part of the entire
educational process in HISD - the classroom. What a tragic waste of time and resources.

New SIO assignments as of May 2012 - already out of date!

SIO assignments to begin the 2011-12 school year
Lindo Anastasia B Middle Schools Office School Improvement Officer Administrator 12 Months (Ex) 123,724.00
Spencer Andre Devour Elementary Schools Office School Improvement Officer Administrator 12 Months (Ex) 122,500.00
McDonald Brian O Middle Schools Office School Improvement Officer Administrator 12 Months (Ex) 122,500.00
Crowe Deborah A Elementary Schools Office School Improvement Officer Administrator 12 Months (Ex) 122,500.00
Barham Debra Denise High Schools Office School Improvement Officer Administrator 12 Months (Ex) 122,500.00
Dow Elizabeth Raley Elementary Schools Office School Improvement Officer Administrator 12 Months (Ex) 122,500.00
Arriaga Estibaliz Emma High Schools Office School Improvement Officer Administrator 12 Months (Ex) 122,500.00
De La Guardia Imelda Flores Elementary Schools Office School Improvement Officer Administrator 12 Months (Ex) 122,500.00
Mouton Jocelyn F Elementary Schools Office School Improvement Officer Administrator 12 Months (Ex) 122,500.00
Espinoza Jose Angel Middle Schools Office School Improvement Officer Administrator 12 Months (Ex) 122,500.00
Dimmitt Julia B Middle Schools Office School Improvement Officer Administrator 12 Months (Ex) 123,868.00
Fuentes Justin G High Schools Office School Improvement Officer Administrator 12 Months (Ex) 122,500.00
Loria Karla Elementary Schools Office School Improvement Officer Administrator 12 Months (Ex) 122,500.00
Fonteno Kimberly R Elementary Schools Office School Improvement Officer Administrator 12 Months (Ex) 124,900.00
BeDell Mark High Schools Office School Improvement Officer Administrator 12 Months (Ex) 122,500.00
Scott Marshall Elementary Schools Office School Improvement Officer Administrator 12 Months (Ex) 122,500.00
Randall Pamela R High Schools Office School Improvement Officer Administrator 12 Months (Ex) 122,500.00
Cavazos Patsy A Elementary Schools Office School Improvement Officer Administrator 12 Months (Ex) 125,572.00
Barajas Richard High Schools Office School Improvement Officer Administrator 12 Months (Ex) 122,500.00
Watson Rodney Eugene Elementary Schools Office School Improvement Officer Administrator 12 Months (Ex) 122,500.00
Trevino Rolando Elementary Schools Office School Improvement Officer Administrator 12 Months (Ex) 122,500.00
Villarreal Teodoro J Elementary Schools Office School Improvement Officer Administrator 12 Months (Ex) 125,476.00




GRIER & PARENTS:
1) Does Grier despise all parents?
2) Does Grier despise all white parents?
3) Does Grier despise any parents who are intelligent, informed, and unafraid
    to challenge his educrat rhetoric?

Grier plays disruptive politics at schools where he believes he will not face fallout
Seems like the neighborhood schools are the ones that get the rejects. Example after being an exemplary
campus under previous outstanding leadership. Now Alcott Elem has an Alief reject that has ran the school
into the ground and all the tenured teaches off. One teacher taught my son and daughter 10 years apart now
she is leaving going to another campus because of the leadership. Just because I work and go to school and
dont have the time to police Admin like the parents at West U. doesnt mean I love my kids any less. I want a
stress free loving enviroment for my kid too...I will continue to meet with him and send letters to SIO. Hopefully
soon changes will be made or I will move my kids to a charter school.
by South Park Parent (May 25, 2012)

With over 700 vacancies, students are sitting in classes without certified teachers
I absolutely hate the fact that students sat in a classroom all year without a regular teacher. Now from what I
hear the students all have to attend summer school. This principal must be related to a board member too.
Blackshear now has to work extra hard to catch up and so will Elrod. Pitiful. I agree with the other parents
this would have never been allowed at West University. So sad how minority people are given the bottom of
the barrel. The administration at Elrod seems to think that the parents are all uneducated welfare recipients
and illegal. I have been talked to like that. The principal is responsible for the school. Tired of hearing it is the
system and head administration. I am not that stupid. You are the principal. Something better could have been
done for kids in classes that had subs all year. Stop blaming everyone to include teachers, human resources,
and top admin.
by Concerned Parent (May 27, 2012)



Engraded Bonham parent says school overchared for field day activities
It is encouraging to see so many teachers willing to let their love of students/schools take precedence
over their dislike of Terry Grier and the board. That alone suggests you must be great teachers. True, if
HISD wins the Broad Prize, Dr. Grier will undoubtedly spin this as a testament to his great leadership,
but so what? The residual effect will be some well-deserved publicity for our teachers as well as more
funding for our students.

The same is true for the probable bond vote next year. Even though Marshall, Harris, and friends will
undoubtedly get their cut off the top, and Dr. Grier will claim this as a feather in his cap, the students will
get safer schools and updated technology. If/When the voting public ever tires of corrupt board members,
they will vote them out. And even if it never happens, it won't stop great teachers from being great teachers.

Stay Great!
by Thomas Iocca (May 25, 2012)


Puttin on the ritz at Fondren for old man Broad
DO YOU WANT GRIER TO HAVE CONTROL OVER MILLIONS IN BOND MONEY? HE JUST
TIED UP HISD CONSTRUCTION AND FACILITIES SERVICE DEPARTMENT ALL DAY SATURDAY
TO REMOVE TEMP BUILDINGS FROM THE FONDREN CAMPUS FOR BROAD VISIT...SO
SCHOOLS WITH TEMPORARY CLASSROOMS CAN'T WIN THIS BOGUS AWARD??

from JT:
Your header {talked} about the upcoming bond election. Our local, just outside the loop school has parts
of our building that date to 1928 with huge foundation problems - doors & windows don't shut or won't open
creating huge safety issues, fully one third of our classrooms are in 50 year old temporary buildings with odor,
mold and roach issues. Our AC & heat can't keep up with the seasons and is extremely noisy, I could go on and
on... yet our school has won TBEC awards and is exemplary but our students truly deserve a better and safer
learning environment. We are in a very well to do neighborhood that "gives" approximately 24 MILLION a YEAR
in tax revenue to HISD but only has 4 schools within our city boundaries with many local kids going to private
schools. Apparently we are on the top of the current rebuild list but if the bond doesn't pass we are most likely
SOL for years to come. Is it really fair to the hard working students and teachers to take it out on them with the
bond issue when the real anger should be pointed to Grier and his management?
by JT (May 24, 2012)

From dontscrewthekids:
On the bond. Don't punish the kids and teachers/employees at the schools that need to be repaired or
replaced. My kids seemed to truly have had a better educational experience since moving into their new school.
If there is a new bond, the fact is the work done with that bond will probably be done under a new Sup anyway.
Just like the work being done now was from a bond passed under the previous kinder/more gentlemanly Sup.
Money from a bond can only be used in very specific ways, at least reserve a decision until you understand what
the bond is for and how the money will be used. Don't screw over the future of our kids because you can't stand
one man. Heck, he'll be gone soon anyway. One suggestion, we should start a count down to the end of Grier's
contract on this site? I'd rather do that than sacrifice a better educational environment for our children and adequate,
if not good, facilities for our teachers and workers. The physical environment can be changed. The psychological
environment that is lead by TG and his merry band of misfits is a whole other matter.
by dontscrewthekids (May 24, 2012)

Totally agree:
I know it would do the students and teachers of this district an injustice to vote the bond down. It just irkes me to know
that if the bond is approved that it would be another jewel in Grier's crown and I can't stand it. Does anyone have any
idea why the powers that be are not releasing the test scores yet?
by Totally Agree (May 24, 2012)

Thomas Iocca:
It is encouraging to see so many teachers willing to let their love of students/schools take precedence over their
dislike of Terry Grier and the board. That alone suggests you must be great teachers. True, if HISD wins the Broad Prize,
Dr. Grier will undoubtedly spin this as a testament to his great leadership, but so what? The residual effect will be some
well-deserved publicity for our teachers as well as more funding for our students.

The same is true for the probable bond vote next year. Even though Marshall, Harris, and friends will undoubtedly get
their cut off the top, and Dr. Grier will claim this as a feather in his cap, the students will get safer schools and updated
technology. If/When the voting public ever tires of corrupt board members, they will vote them out. And even if it never
happens, it won't stop great teachers from being great teachers.

Stay Great!
by Thomas Iocca (May 25, 2012)










































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