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22 | July 2010 Community Impact Newspaper • Northwest Houston Edition 19708 Northwest Frwy., Ste. 500 Houston, Texas 77065 713.957.2020 www.nightlightpediatrics.com Open Mon.-Fri. 5 p.m.-11 p.m. Weekends & Holidays Noon-7 p.m. Providing quality urgent care for your child when your doctor’s office is closed. Molly Ryan Education Focus Superintendent, Cy-Fair ISD Dr. David Anthony Cy-Fair ISD Experience with CFISD: Superintendent since July 2004 Career: Superintendent in McKinney ISD, Texas City ISD, Mount Pleasant ISD and High Island ISD Education: Bachelor of Arts in secondary education, East Texas Baptist College; Master of Education in administration and supervision, Northwestern State University; Doctor of Education, Northwestern State University Contact: 281-897-4077 or david.anthony@cfisd.net You have worked for school districts all around Texas. What is special about CFISD? I think that the one thing that makes Cy-Fair unique is the commitment of the staff to the district. This is the smallest large school district that you will ever see. Everyone works together, and the staff goes above and beyond to help each other professionally and personally. What is your most important role as superintendent? The main thing is to prepare students and maximize student potential. Our job is to help people perform better—both the students and the adults. What is your favorite role? The most enjoyable thing is to visit a campus. It’s the thing that you don’t get to do most of the time but that you enjoy the most. I especially like reading to kindergarten classes—they inspire you. As the superintendent for such a large—and still growing—school district, how do you ensure that each school receives individual attention? It comes down to one factor: You have to have good people, people who are committed to the district. Our only job is to make it easier for the teachers to do their job. How do you feel about the fast growth of the school district? Growth is a challenge. We have grown by 3,500 students in a down year, and we still have improved our performance. No other district grows numerically as fast as us. You have to focus on the big picture— it’s like eating an elephant one bite at a time. How has the district changed since you have been here? The change has been that we have more students, and student demographics have changed. Still, student performance has increased every year. There have also been financial changes and a lot of retirements, but we continue to hire quality teachers. We use data to make good decisions and focus more on specific areas where student needs are. What is your proudest achievement as superintendent in Cy-Fair? Earning the recognized accountability rating [for the past two years] for such a large district—that is hard. But I’m most proud of the staff. I’ve never had a staff that works harder. I’m proud to be a part of a group that works that hard for the students and district. How do you deal with criticism about the recent budget cuts and stay positive about the future? There is only so much money that the state has. Even with the budget cuts, nothing has changed in our mission. How our mission is achieved will change. Business as usual is not possible anymore. The financial problem will have to be solved logically through budget cuts or tax rate increases. Everyone is frustrated, but if you want something, you have to be willing to pay for it. Why do you have such a passion for education? I grew up in an economically disadvantaged area in Louisiana, and I saw how that impacted the students. I want every student to have choices when they graduate and have the opportunity to work in a field they enjoy. Every child needs a quality education. You can look into the eyes of the kindergarten classes and see their dreams—I want to keep those dreams alive. Comment at more.impactnews.com/9025 Interview by Molly Ryan
Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills By K. Jenney and Cathy Kincaid Each year schools administer the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test to students in grades 3–11. Designed by the Texas Education Agency, the statemandated assessments measure what students have learned in particular subjects in each grade level. The tests cover subject areas including reading, writing, mathematics, science and social studies, as well as an exit-level assessment required for graduation. A student is required to achieve a score of 2,100 to pass; a score above 2,400 earns “commended” status. Modified versions of the test are administered to students receiving special education services. Students’ cumulative TAKS scores are tabulated and their schools assigned one of four accountability ratings to reflect how the district and its schools are meeting educational requirements. For schools deemed academically unacceptable, the rating comes with a series of sanctions and penalties. Parents have the option of transferring their children out of the school, and the school can be reorganized by the state or even closed. Students from 2nd through 12th grade. From TAKS to STAAR In 2007, Texas legislators voted to repeal the TAKS in favor of a new evaluation called the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness. With STAAR, which will be implemented in the 2011–12 school year, graduating high school seniors will be required to pass 12 end-of-course exams in four core subject areas: math, science, language and social studies. The first students required to meet the end-of-course testing requirements to earn a diploma will be the class of 2015. STAAR tests will also be administered to students in grades 3–8 to prepare them for English and algebra end-of-course exams. According to Gloria Zyskowski, TEA deputy associate commissioner of student assessment, the new tests will be more rigorous and will measure a child’s performance as well as academic growth. Debbie Ratcliffe, communications director for TEA, said the last TAKSbased school accountability ratings will be issued in 2011. Ratings will be suspended in 2012 while a new accountability system is developed. The new state rating system will debut in 2013. enroll today! Mathnasium of Cy-Fair (Dr. Catherine Labuda, Director) 12344 Barker Cypress Rd., Ste. 150 (corner of Barker Cypress & Dundee) Cypress, TX 77429 281-256-9932 www.mathnasium.com/cy-fair Sponsored by: Changes coming to standardized testing Community Impact Newspaper • impactnews.com July 2010 | 23 NOW ENROLLING FALL CLASSES | VIEW SCHEDULE & REGISTER ONLINE WWW.CYFAIRMUSICANDARTS.COM MUSIC! DRAMA! Cy-Fair Music & Arts 281-855-8855 ART! The Difference is Dramatic! Learn how music and movement can stimulate your child’s developing mind and body! MU MUSIC C LE LLESSONS! SSON ON O S! ! Pi PPiano ano • Viol Violin • Drums • Guitar Voice Voi oi oice ce • Chi Children’s h ld ldren’ n’s Ch Chor Chorus orus us KIN KINDERMUSIK INDE DE D RM RMUS US USIK IK CLA CLASSES! LASS SS SSES ES ES! Available for Ages birth–6 (3 ( LOCATIONS! NS! NS Copperfield • Cypr Cypress ypre • Hwy 290) ART RT CLASSES! CLA LASS SSE Ages 6–12 DR DRAM DRAMA AMA KKIDS & DKI ACTING ACADEMY! Lessons Available A for Ages 4–5, 6–11, 12–17 (4 ( LOCATIONS! LOCATIO TIOONS! Copperfield • CCypress ypress • Hwy 290 • Sp Sprin Spring) rin $ 15 OFF ANY CLASS One per student. Must present coupon or coupon code at time of registration. New student only. Expires 8/19/10. Coupon Code Impact15 Cy-Fair Independent School District 2010 Beginning with the 2011–12 school year, the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness will replace the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills. Source: Texas Education Agency • Assesses mathematics, reading, writing, English language arts, science and social studies TAKS • Students tested in grades 3–11; promotion tied to test results for students in grades 3, 5 and 8 • Students must pass exit-level exams to meet graduation requirements in grade 11 T E S T STAAR • Administered with paper and pencil VERSUS • Graduating high school seniors are required to take 12 total end-of-course exams: algebra I, algebra II, geometry, biology, chemistry, physics, English I, English II, English III, U.S. history, world geography and world history T E S T • Grade 3–8 STAAR tests in reading and mathematics, by law, must be linked from grade to grade to performance expectations for the English III and algebra II end-of-course assessments • Measures a student’s performance as well as academic growth, testing at every grade level • Assessment counts as 15 percent of student’s final grade in each subject • Administered online REGISTER NOW! CLASSES FILL QUICKLY! 7103 GLEN CHASE COURT, 77095
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