ERIC EJ943720: Hidalgo Sets Sail: A School District Supports All Students in Earning College Credits

2011·2.9 MB·English

by  ERIC

Hidalgo Sets Sail
A School District Supports All Students in Earning College Credits
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By Thad R. Nodine ings, warehouses, and shopping outlets. On as does the largest “killer bee”
ribbons of asphalt flanked by palms, trucks statue in the world. At 10
W
hen you fly over South Texas and cars seem to make slow headway. feet and 2,000 pounds, the
toward the Rio Grande Val- Between the fields, another cargo drifts statue commemorates
ley, the land stretches flat in even more leisurely, as water from the Rio the first swarm of Afri-
a patchwork of rectangular Grande flows along a vast array of canals to canized honey bees
shades of emerald. Here and there amid the bring productivity to the soil. All the sugar- found in the United States,
fields you see the red or white rooftops of cane and citrus produced in the state which brought Hidalgo a
development, the zigzags of trailer parks, comes from South Texas, which is also a flurry of sensational head-
and the flat rooftops of apartment build- large exporter of sorghum grain, cotton, lines when they were discovered
and onions. As you look across the groves near the town. But it’s not the distinguished
and fields toward the horizon, you might museum or the upstart bee that is garner-
Thad R. Nodine is a novelist and writer with over
glimpse—beyond the stark border wall still ing state and national attention now. It’s
15 years’ experience in education policy,
research, and communications. He has published being erected—the slow, gracious curves of the Hidalgo Independent School District,
extensively about K–12 and postsecondary edu- the wide river itself, its water reflecting the serving about 3,500 students, that is mak-
cation reform. Most recently, he is the author of vivid contours of sunset. ing heads turn.
Innovations in College Readiness (Jobs for the
What you might miss in flying over so In 2005, the district made an ambitious
Future) and coauthor of One-Shot Deal N
fast is a small city nestled in one of those commitment. In partnership with nearby WE
(WestEd). His novel Touch and Go will be O
K
released in September 2011. This article is broad curves of the Rio Grande. This bor- University of Texas-Pan American, the Mc
adapted with permission from his College Suc- der town, with its active international University of Texas System, the Communi- OTT
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cess for All: How the Hidalgo Independent bridge, used to be the seat of government ties Foundation of Texas/Texas High Y S
School District Is Adopting Early College as a for Hidalgo County—and is still its name- School Project, and the Bill & Melinda ONS B
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AMERICAN EDUCATOR | FALL 2011 21
group, would earn college credits before decades, Hidalgo’s leaders took a series of
graduating from high school. This commit- steps that improved student performance
ment by a small district in South Texas and gained support throughout the com-
could be seen as part of a nationwide pat- munity. Chief among these transforma-
tern: many districts are engaged in high tions were efforts to focus everyone—from
school reform efforts to improve the col- bus drivers to principals and from teachers
lege readiness of students. Many are also to school board members—on doing what
actively supporting dual enrollment in it takes to raise student achievement. This
college classes for motivated students. But included shifting the board to be more
Hidalgo appears to be the first comprehen- open to innovation and change. It also
sive public school district in the United featured efforts to get principals, assistant
States to expect all students to earn college principals, and teachers working together
credits—including credits in career- in teams to improve instruction and
focused college programs—while in high curriculum.
school. The demographics of Hidalgo’s When Dr. Daniel P. King became super-
student body—99 percent Hispanic, 89 intendent in 1999, one of his most visible
percent economically disadvantaged, and early actions was to require students to wear
53 percent English language learner— uniforms. The decision was made in order
make this commitment even more to end discipline problems associated with
remarkable.* gang colors, put all students on an equal
Since 2005, the district’s efforts footing, and develop a positive and
have transformed its elementary inclusive school identity.
and middle schools as well as its The district has driven college King also instituted programs to
high school.† The district has driven improve curriculum and instruc-
college expectations, more rigorous expectations, more rigorous tion. During his tenure, a dual-lan-
course sequencing, and student guage program was developed to
courses, and student supports into
support systems into all of its build on the linguistic strength of
schools, with the goal of preparing all of its schools, with the goal of Hidalgo’s students (85 percent of
students and their families for col- whom speak Spanish at home);
lege readiness by the time students college readiness by high school. more Advanced Placement (AP) and
reach high school. other rigorous courses were offered,
At the high school, the district and more students were encouraged
increased the rigor of its courses and program that engages family and commu- to take them; and dual-enrollment offerings
aligned them with actual college courses nity stakeholders around developing col- were expanded with local colleges. In addi-
that it began providing at the school and at lege-ready students. Meanwhile, the tion, the district created stronger career
partnering colleges. For students who may district advanced the education of its pathways for students and a teacher intern-
not want to obtain a four-year degree, the teachers through incentives for gaining ship program with local businesses.
district created career pathways, with master’s degrees and adjunct status from In 2005, King was approached by the
articulated courses that can lead to profes- postsecondary partners. The district also president of UT-Pan American, and later by
sional certificates at local community and worked closely with the Communities the University of Texas System and the Com-
technical colleges. As students and their Foundation of Texas/Texas High School munities Foundation of Texas/Texas High
families struggled to meet the higher Project to learn the ins and outs of perti- School Project, to consider creating an early
expectations, the high school expanded nent state regulations and financing in college high school in the district. He and his
and added support systems, including a order to smooth college access and success team were attracted by the early college
summer session that prepares students for for students. concept because they realized it could bring
the Texas Higher Education Assessment The story of how this district took up the a unifying vision and structure to efforts
(which determines if students are ready for mantle of providing college credits for all under way at the district. “We were already
college-level work, be they high school its students—and how students and fami- committed to innovation and reform and to
students entering dual-enrollment pro- lies responded—says a lot about the priori- college for every student,” he said.
grams or college freshmen) and a parental ties of “this little treasure on the border,” as Although the goals and student profile
the district has become known. for the early college concept fit Hidalgo’s
*For more on Hidalgo’s student body, see the Texas needs, there was one major obstacle: early
Becoming an
Education Agency’s Education at a Glance: School college programs had not been developed
District Summary, Hidalgo, January 2011, http://loving1. Early College District
to serve all students throughout a district.
tea.state.tx.us/lonestar/Reports/Summary2010/District/
AAG1-DIST-SchoolDist-PDF-en-us-108905.pdf. In the late 1980s, the Hidalgo Independent Across the country, early college schools
School District ranked in the bottom 10 included standalone high schools, schools
†The district has one traditional high school, Hidalgo
percent of Texas districts in student within larger high schools, and schools
Early College High School, and one small alternative
high school, Hidalgo Academy. achievement. But during the next two located on college campuses—but all these
22 AMERICAN EDUCATOR | FALL 2011
models used a small-schools approach,
with about 100 students per grade and
about 400 students total in each school. The
Hidalgo school district includes four ele-
mentary schools that feed into one junior
high school and then into Hidalgo High
School, which has about 900 students. The
traditional early college model meant that
more than half of the high school would be
left out. “My concept has always been to
focus on all the kids,” King said. RE
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“If we want to really transform schools, this © 2010 J
is an opportunity to do that,” King said. O /
“Basically, that got the green light.” VAT
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menting a district-wide early college MI
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approach, they borrowed from strategies OS B
adopted at other early college schools—for HOT
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example, in working to align application
and registration processes, scheduling, because we learned along the path. We Hidalgo’s administrators
course requirements, textbooks, and learned together.” and teachers, however,
assessments. But many challenges were The first group of freshmen inducted emphasized that in gradu-
unique to Hidalgo due to its emphasis on into the early college program graduated ating their first early col-
early college for all students. In facing these on June 4, 2010. By their high school lege class, their work has
challenges, Hidalgo’s history of teamwork graduation, these students had achieved only begun. For exam-
and innovation became a real asset. For a remarkable 3,743 college credit hours. At ple, Blaha noted that the
example, the district and UT-Pan American the ceremony, Dr. Ana Maria Rodriguez, district has expanded the
quickly realized that they needed to then the interim provost of UT-Pan Ameri- number of students taking
expand postsecondary options for those can, handed out certificates of college SAT and ACT tests; for the
students who were not interested in purs- hours to more than 95 percent of the class of 2009, 86 percent of Hidalgo’s
ing four-year degrees. As a result, the dis- class—to the thunderous applause, proud students took the SAT or the ACT, compared
trict strengthened career and technical grins, and many tears of parents, family, with 62 percent statewide.§ Now the district
pathways: they reached out to South Texas friends, teachers, administrators, the is working to improve the test scores, which
College and Texas State Technical College school board, and plenty of business and still lag behind the state’s scores, partly
to provide students with articulated other community members.‡ Individual because so many students are tested. “The
courses that lead to certificates at these college credit hours ranged from 1 to 75, starting line is right behind our heels,” he
institutions. The district also benefited and two-thirds of the students earned at said. “That’s as far as we’ve gone right now.
from the ongoing guidance of Communi- least a semester of credit. Robert Ruiz, who There’s miles to go, but we know we’ve
ties Foundation of Texas/Texas High graduated with 59 college credits, said that stepped onto the right track, because this is
School Project, which played an important before graduation his proudest accom- good for kids.”
role in building the partnerships and plishment was passing his first college
Creating a
ensuring good communication between class, which was chemistry. “If I could do
College-Going Culture
the stakeholders. that,” he said, “I knew I could pass any col-
Edward Blaha, who was the principal at lege class.” He said that “many people fear When the district adopted an early college
Hidalgo High School when the early col- college. They think it’s going to be a com- model in 2005, district leaders were enthu-
lege program started and then was the pletely different level and that you’re not siastic about focusing on college readiness
superintendent from 2009 to 2011, said going to be able to do it. We learned that and success, including developing more
that strengthening the career pathways was we can do it.” rigorous and accelerated instruction and
crucial to meeting the needs of Hidalgo’s
students. “You have to know your commu- ‡Some special education students were not able to earn §Texas Education Agency, “2009–2010 Academic
nity and your kids,” he said. “One size does college credits. However, many special education Excellence Indicator System, District Reports: PDF,
students do earn college credits. Of the 52 high school Hidalgo,” section I, page 13, report generated on June
not fit all…. What we originally thought we
students in special education in the 2009–2010 school 23, 2011, through http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/
would do is not exactly what we did, year, 24 earned college credits. aeis/2010/district.srch.html.
AMERICAN EDUCATOR | FALL 2011 23
designing comprehensive supports that’s what we need to do: instill into
for students. In addition, they our children that they are in power.
believed that for these innovations to It’s inside of them. It’s like saying,
succeed, students and their parents ‘You’re a doctor. Realize yourself.’ ”
needed to fully embrace college- Ida Diaz Junior High, which serves
going as a given. The district and its all of the sixth- through eighth-grad-
college partners immediately took ers in the district, is likewise focused
steps to instill a strong college-going on creating a shift so that postsecond-
culture among students, parents, ary education—with all of its options,
teachers, and the broader commu- from training programs to the pursuit
nity. Initially, these efforts focused on of advanced degrees—becomes the
the high school level, but they now norm. This emphasis is tangible in the
reach all the way to preschool. appearance of the school and in the
Many families with children in structure of its programs. College
Hidalgo live in colonias at the edges of banners and information about
agricultural fields, where rows of sub- careers are posted everywhere: in
standard housing were erected long hallways, on doors, in the cafeteria, at
ago without regard to building the gym. Each grade level is
codes. Many of these families clustered into two teams of
Junior high and high school teachers
cannot afford computers, or teachers, and each of the six
sometimes even paper and pen- worked to “backwards map” curricular teams is associated with a uni-
cils. But they pride themselves versity, such as Baylor or UT-
on, and have passed bonds to requirements so students would be San Antonio. Students wear
support, the district’s educational their college shirts on Fridays
prepared to take college courses by
facilities. With this community and participate in college-
backing, Hidalgo’s four elemen- their junior year. themed pep rallies regularly.
tary schools are well tended: The school organizes trips to
clipped grass and clean sidewalks colleges to help students get a
outside, and wide hallways with bright post- get to wear their T-shirts instead of their sense of the academic culture of higher edu-
ers and banners along the walls inside. school uniforms. cation. These trips are not generic tours; they
For example, Salinas Elementary Salinas is not just encouraging students, focus on subject areas or departments and
School, which serves students in prekin- it’s preparing them too. In late fall, teachers include contacts with professors. The school
dergarten through fifth grade, has colorful give a survey in Spanish to parents about recently took 50 students to Texas A&M at
pictures of children in school uniforms their habits with their children at home— Kingsville to visit the engineering department
taped around big letters spelling out “Col- concerning reading, communication, and and watch a robotic competition. “Now they
lege and Career Readiness: Our Future other healthy behaviors. “By the time they want to compete next year,” said Olivia Her-
Begins Today.” There’s a poster about col- reach the first grade,” said Silverio Macias, nandez, the school principal. The school
lege awareness on a table, and one about principal of Salinas Elementary, “they have bused 60 students to a science and career fair
career awareness, too, with pictures of a real academic idea of what they should at nearby South Texas College. “We were the
children and families. On the way to the be doing with their child.” During meetings only junior high school there,” Hernandez
cafeteria, there’s a long string of college with parents, teachers emphasize the said. “The rest were college and high school
and university banners, both importance of having a well-lit place—a kids.”
in-state—University of desk, a corner, a lamp—that the family sets All junior high students are expected to
North Texas, UT-Austin, aside for homework, as well as other habits identify at least one area of academic inter-
Texas A&M—and far that build college success. The school also est and prepare to take pre-AP courses in
away—Harvard, Yale, has ramped up and given a special name, that subject. The junior high has developed
Stanford, Notre Dame, “Building Scholars,” to its tutoring program active TexPrep partnerships for students
North Carolina, Michi- in literacy and writing that helps kids reach who show interest in STEM fields (science,
gan, Colorado. Each of proficiency. College representatives come technology, engineering, and mathemat-
the 24 classrooms at the to the schools for assemblies, including a ics). The program includes more than 60
school adopts a university recent “blow-up planetarium” in a gym students who are bused to South Texas
that the class researches. The students where the kids got to walk in, look at the College, Texas State Technical College, or
write to the institutions for information, as stars, and ask questions of college profes- UT-Pan American to participate in science
well as for free pens, pencils, erasers, note- sors. The emphasis is not high school labs and classes in computer science, logic,
books, and other items with college logos. graduation; it’s college and career. Accord- and physics. The classes on campus are
They also receive free college T-shirts, ing to Macias, this has changed attitudes: once a month during the school year and
provided either by the institution or the “In Spanish we say, ‘Cumplir.’ In English it five days per week in the summer, provid-
school, and on selected days, the students means, ‘Finish what you start.’ The idea is ing these young students with hands-on
24 AMERICAN EDUCATOR | FALL 2011
experience with college academics. college,” said Blaha, the former superinten- offers adult education in English as a second
As another way to emphasize the con- dent. “They’re all going to college, and they language, GED classes, computer instruc-
nections between college and career, all feel like they’re going to college. We don’t tion, and preparation for the Texas Higher
eighth-graders take a course focusing on separate them.” He paused, then continued: Education Assessment. The district empha-
career pathways. By the end of the year, “What do we do for the bottom 25 percent? sizes parent education because it strength-
they meet with counselors to begin filling That’s where, as educators, it’s our respon- ens the community and completes the full
out education plans for high school, sibility to find a solution. They’re some- circle—so that students have strong role
including college courses they expect to body’s child. If I’m number 188 of 188 models in their own families. Two years ago,
take. Students are encouraged to select one students, I still go home to somebody. That Sandra Martinez (a parent of an eleventh-
of five career pathways offered by the high student deserves the opportunity.” grader and two graduates of Hidalgo High
school: business and marketing; industrial In developing a college-going culture, School) didn’t speak much English, and
and engineering technology; health sci- the district works directly with parents, few neither she nor her husband had graduated
ence and technology; human development of whom have been to college. Through from high school. Now, her husband has a
management and services; and personal activities in English and Spanish, the district GED and she is working on hers as well.
and protective services. Counselors also informs parents about educational prac- “This is very important to demonstrate to
meet with parents to explain the high tices in the United States, engages them in my children,” she said in flawless English. “If
school’s handbook of classes, which advocating for their children’s college and I can do it, they can do it.”
resembles the catalogs that colleges pro- career goals, and helps them identify and
Developing Strong
vide, with course descriptions and path- pursue their own educational goals. Accord-
College Partnerships
ways leading toward specialties. ing to Arnulfo Ruiz, the college readiness
As at the elementary and junior high facilitator at the junior high school, “Parents To help students succeed in their first col-
schools, college and career information is are calling us now. That is a crucial compo- lege courses, Hidalgo worked with UT-Pan
displayed throughout the Hidalgo High nent about what is early college.” American—and later with South Texas
School campus. Near the main entry, a Most school districts offer parents the College and Texas State Technical College
large poster shows a high school student, opportunity to volunteer in classrooms, as well—to align coursework and compre-
in a lab coat and protective glasses, exam- but Hidalgo has hired a parental liaison at hensive supports. The president of UT-
ining a test tube in a college chemistry lab. each school to actively engage parents in Pan American at the time, Blandina
A big bulletin board asks, “Are You Ready classroom and school activities. The liai- Cárdenas, provided visible leadership. In
for College?” and information is posted sons are parents themselves; they speak addition, the University of Texas System
about testing dates, applications, and Spanish, are known in the community, and and the Communities Foundation of
financial aid. College banners from across help parents feel more comfortable on Texas/Texas High School Project served
the country line the hallways. school campuses. as intermediaries, providing support,
Like many high schools, Hidalgo has an The district also actively encourages advice, and networking.
annual College Night, in which representa- parents to pursue their own educational Hidalgo also has benefited from consis-
tives from colleges and universities give goals. At Parent Academies, the district tent management at UT-Pan American,
information to students and families. But
unlike most schools, in the weeks and
months before College Night, students and
parents attend meetings and receive pack-
ets of information about college require-
ments, applications, and financial aid.
After College Night, they receive help, dur-
ing and after school, in researching col-
leges, completing applications, writing
essays, filling out financial-aid forms, and
applying for scholarships. The high school
also organizes an annual Career Day, a
popular local event where community
members describe their careers and how
they got started, including the role of edu-
cation. Prior to the event, each high school
student receives a unique schedule of pre-
sentations to attend, depending on his or
her career interests.
The district’s focus on education and
careers helps provide all students with post-
secondary options. “There is no difference
between career tech as college and UT as
OPPOSITE PAGE: PHOTO © DIAZ JR. HIGH MEDIA CLUB; ABOVE: PHOTO BY MICHAEL STRAVATO / © 2010 JOBS FOR THE FUTURE
AMERICAN EDUCATOR | FALL 2011 25
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where Senior Vice Provost for Undergradu- members who had been effective with we started this partnership,” said Rodriguez,
ate Studies, Academic Assessment and underprepared students, but even these “we did not include the community college
Retention Ana Maria Rodriguez has professors found that they had to adjust in the partnership…. That was a mistake.”
directed the early college program since its their teaching styles, shortening their lec- Prior to the early college program,
inception. During the planning year, 2005– tures and expanding their engagement Hidalgo High School already had been
2006, she frequently brought professors and strategies. Once they did that, she said, working with the nearby community col-
others from the university to the district for they “were amazed at how the kids could lege, South Texas College, to provide a
parent nights, assemblies, and other events. meet the expectations.” small number of dual-enrollment courses
A council of district and university repre- Just as college professors learned to to students. After the first year of early col-
sentatives—including administrators, adapt their instruction, high school teachers lege, Hidalgo expanded this relationship
teachers, and faculty—met monthly to plan have changed their practices. For example, with South Texas College and Texas State
course alignment at the high school, the prompts that English teachers previously Technical College in Harlingen. South
improvements in instructional rigor, used in twelfth grade have been shifted Texas College now serves as Hidalgo’s pri-
approval of course syllabi and testing, the down to eleventh grade, and many are now mary postsecondary partner.
development of student supports, reforms introduced to tenth-graders. According to For Hidalgo students who have passed
at the junior high school, changes in profes- Sylvia Arcaute, who teaches English, “I focus the Texas Higher Education Assessment,
sional development, logistical issues, and on the literature that is focused on in college. the state-required college-readiness
other components of early college. You have to expose them.” assessment, UT-Pan American and South
The first college courses for Hidalgo’s One of the first major challenges that the Texas College provide transfer-level col-
early college students were offered in sum- team from Hidalgo and UT-Pan American lege courses in general education subjects,
mer 2008, mostly to rising juniors: six sec- faced in creating an early college district was from science and math to humanities and
tions of communications and computer developing a range of postsecondary social science. South Texas College and
science classes to 180 students. Rodriguez options for students who were not inter- Texas State Technical College also provide
was very deliberate in selecting faculty ested in pursuing a four-year degree. “When career-related courses, many of which do
26 AMERICAN EDUCATOR | FALL 2011
not require student clearance of the state tems that they’re familiar with, and teach-
readiness assessment. This enables a ers understand their needs. “We follow the
broader student population to earn college syllabus,” she said. “But we give them more
credits within the framework of a high support.”
school program. Even though some of these
Aligning Courses and Career
courses may not be transferable beyond the
Pathways for College Success
community college, the classes—in avia-
tion mechanics, nursing, and computer- Hidalgo’s efforts to create better aligned
assisted design, among others—lead to and more rigorous courses have now
certificates or degrees. In addition, they reached the middle grades, with plans for
introduce students to professional termi- examining the fifth- to sixth-grade transi- RE
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nology and networking—particularly tion. As part of an early college expansion UT
important for those who are learning Eng- grant provided by the Texas Educational HE F
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lish as a second language—and provide Agency, four teams of Hidalgo’s junior high O
them with college credits that help moti- and high school teachers—in language arts, OBS F
vate them to continue their education. mathematics, science, and social studies— © 2010 J
As the high school’s need for college worked during the summers of 2008 and O /
offerings in core academic areas grew, the 2009 to “backwards map” curricular VAT
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ing these courses at scale. With the nearest counselors encourage each student to H
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college campus a 20-minute drive from identify a core subject area of interest and
Developing Comprehensive
Hidalgo, the district recognized that pro- strength and to participate in pre-AP and
Student Supports
viding college classes at the high school AP courses in at least that subject. Accord-
was key to making transportation costs ing to former superintendent Blaha, “Our The Hidalgo school district emphasizes a
manageable.* As a result, the district has AP courses are open enrollment. Our AP personal, hands-on approach with stu-
created incentives for teachers to become test scores are not great, but I’m not wor- dents and families. At all its schools, the
adjuncts. Through UT-Pan American and ried about that. We want students to take principals, assistant principals, counsel-
South Texas College, Hidalgo teachers who more AP courses. If you don’t pass the AP ors, teachers—and even the bus drivers
have master’s degrees in their teaching field test at the end, is it a failure? No, because and other staff—make an effort to get to
can apply to become affiliated faculty. The we raised the level of expectation of what know students and their parents and be
school district encourages teachers to we want from you.” responsive to their needs.
obtain this status by providing a $3,000 During the summer before high school, At the junior high and high schools,
increase in base pay to all who earn a mas- all rising ninth-graders are expected to students and their families have come to
ter’s in their teaching field. (In contrast, participate in an intensive four-week ses- rely increasingly on counselors for a wide
teachers who earn a master’s in education sion focusing on math and language arts. range of support and guidance, and the
receive only a $1,000 increase.) The district A majority of the incoming class partici- counselors’ role has expanded substan-
also pays an additional $500 for every col- pates, and at the end of the session they tially since the inception of early
lege course that these instructors teach at take the Texas Higher Education Assess- college. According to Cristito
the high school. Teachers who have adjunct ment (THEA). Students who pass sections Lampos, a high school
status with South Texas College also receive of the test can begin taking transfer-level counselor for six years
$350 per class directly from the college. college courses in the areas that they have and a math teacher for
The difference between high school and passed.† The high school uses THEA results twelve, “Our job proba-
college, said Lyn Onato, a high school to plan accelerated, pre-AP, and AP course- bly tripled.” Beginning
mathematics instructor affiliated with work as well as supports that lead all stu- in junior high school,
South Texas College, is that high school dents toward earning college credits by counselors meet with stu-
students are surrounded by support sys- graduation. Counselors help those who do dents and parents to
not pass the THEA or sections of it as rising explain the high school’s com-
*Hidalgo students take college classes for free. But for
ninth-graders determine when they are plex college and career options. In high
the Hidalgo school district, there are three key costs
associated with early college: transportation of students ready to retake it. The district offers the test school, they closely monitor students’
to college campuses; textbooks, which routinely cost about once a month and pays the costs for credits to ensure that all students stay on
between $75 and $150 per book, and often can only be
each student’s first two tries. track to graduation. They let students know
used for one year; and tuition fees or teacher salaries.
Currently, none of Hidalgo’s postsecondary partners when to retake the THEA so they can enroll
charge tuition for Hidalgo students who take courses on †Even those who do not pass the test can take some in more college courses, and they work
their campus, but that might change based on state dual-enrollment classes that earn required elective
with students to adjust their educational
regulations, grant funding, and their own financial college credits, such as art and music appreciation, and
conditions. selected college classes in career pathways. (Continued on page 40)
To learn more, explore the Hidalgo Early College District Toolkit, designed
for educators working to prepare all students for postsecondary success,
at http://hidalgo.jff.org. AMERICAN EDUCATOR | FALL 2011 27
Hidalgo tutoring, including additional prepara- streamlining procedures, finding cost sav- Great Rates!
(Continued from page 27) tion for the Texas Assessment of Knowl- ings, and doing everything it can to build
edge and Skills (the state assessment for on its early college approach. Save ON Your
and career plans along the way. school accountability) and the THEA. According to Blaha, it’s not a question FavorIte TItles
Former Hidalgo High School principal Teachers also provide tutoring after of turning back but of determining the best
Marilu Navarro, who has also served as school every day and on Saturdays. Stu- ways to move forward—because students,
the school’s college-readiness coordina- dents who need additional support are parents, and the community have already Smithsonian $12.00
tor, said that a hands-on approach has directed to stay after hours, and busing is accepted success in college as the goal of The Economist $77.00
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been vital for the students. For example, provided late so students can get home. high school. “We know we can do this,” he
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she said that students rushed into her Teachers receive extra compensation for said. “We’ve convinced ourselves that this ➥➥ These and Several Ellery Queen’s Mystery 55.90 32.97 The New Yorker 2 yrs $75.00
office after attending the first day of a col- Saturdays, but not for afternoon week- is possible.” Hundred Others Entertainment Weekly 42.25 34.95 * New York Magazine $19.97
ESPN 26.00 13.00
lege psychology course. The professor had days. Bishakha Mukherji, who teaches Carlos Cardoza, treasurer of the school For Friends and 1 yr 15.94 8.00
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given them a syllabus with reading assign- English, said, “Many [students] don’t have board and a trustee for 14 years, has sev- 2 yrs 31.88 16.00 Smart Money 24.00 15.00
Family too! Essence 22.00 18.96 Smithsonian 34.00 12.00
ments and let them know that he would computers at home, so we stay as long as eral children, all of whom, he said, have
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be calling on several students each day in they need.” the ability to succeed in college. But his 11--880000--777744--99116622 EveryDay Food 18.00 15.00 Men’s Fitness 21.97 21.97 Southern Living 36.00 24.00
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that student could expect an F for the day. The Hidalgo Independent School District gram took effect. In college, she had to Publication Usual Your Field & Stream 19.97 10.00 More Magazine 18.00 14.97 Stereophile 19.94 12.97
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know what to do. She suggested they start college students graduated in June 2010. her progress toward her degree. “That’s All You 21.24 18.00 Food Network 30.00 20.00 Motor Trend 18.00 10.00 Tennis 18.00 12.00
a study group, and helped them learn to The original grant funding for its early col- where they fall behind,” he said. “And that AAmlluerreic an Photo 2116..0000 1102..5000 * FFooorbde &s Wine 3599..0905 1294..0905 TNahtieon Nal aGteioognra phic Traveler 5127..0905 2164..0905 Awe
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about teaching them the college culture, are changing as those institutions wrestle they’re ready,” he said. “We may not be a Arthritis Today 30.00 9.95 Girl’s Life (ages 10-15) 19.95 14.95 Old House Journal 27.00 15.97 the action!
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leave us, they leave us with that mentality Baseball Digest 44.95 23.94 headlines. PC World 29.90 19.97 Town & Country 28.00 15.00
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I can go explore.’ ” VOL. 34, NO. 2 | SUMMER 2010 Bird Talk 24.00 13.00
Besides having a wide range of counsel- Edaumecricaantor VOL. 32, NO. 2 | SUMMER 2008 BBliorodmebr’esr gW Bousrilnde ssweek 5294..9975 4107..0000 1 yr, 56 issues for $29.95 • B• eLsOt TWitEleSsT Rates EMxtoenn.d-Tedh uOr.f fi9caem H-6opumrs
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Coastal Living (2 yrs) 36.00 16.00 Harper’s Magazine 21.00 11.97 2 yrs 42.00 20.97 Vogue 29.95 17.97
to create an advisory period. Students
Columbia Journalism Review 20.00 11.99 Hispanic Magazine 24.00 12.95 Reader’s Digest 24.98 13.96 W Magazine 29.90 14.95
needing assistance in math or language Horse Illustrated 23.97 10.00 large print edition 29.96 21.95 The Week 59.00 50.00
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as reading novels, writing, or creating Kiplinger’s Personal Finance 23.95 12.00 Saveur 29.95 19.95 Women’s Health 17.97 14.97 *
preAset nthtaeti honigsh. school, the eight-period Visit UM2.Sic. hCaoenlg Hroesnsdma,a n WMW1iani0lcnlAiearrmth uJur lFiuesll oWwilsshoinp, oFRf2oi Ecr6mhdauercrda U tWi.oS. .nR Sielecyr,e tary iNnJ3ao Em1bceoelns P oJr.mi Hzieec scWkimnnaner, t& h e s h m 1ao kfvueerlrls s!yr at just $24.95 LLKiaapltdiinnigeaesr ’ sH Roemtireem Jeontu Rrenpaolr t 151796...999775 3999...999795 SSSccchiieeonlnactseitfii cIc llP uAasmrteranettr ei&cd aC nh ild 312454...909570 211459...909705 WY oogrkain Jg oMuortnhearl 12 yyrr s 124213...999750 12956...999755
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Conde Nast Traveler 19.97 12.00 Macworld 35.00 19.97 Self 17.97 14.97 * Zoobooks (6-12) 34.95 29.95
tutoring during school. All teachers are
Lost your favorite issue? Interested in sharing Consumer Reports 29.00 29.00 Mad Magazine 24.00 19.99 Seventeen 19.95 12.00 Zoobies (0-2) 34.95 29.95
scheduled for two planning periods: a CR Money Adviser 29.00 29.00 Marie Claire 19.97 12.00 Shape 24.00 14.97 Zootles (2-6) 34.95 29.95
personal planning period and a common articles without having to part with your copy? CR On Health 24.00 24.00 www.buymags.com/aft 1-800-774-9162 Hundreds of Others Just Ask!
1 yr 20.00 20.00
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one for teachers in the same department. Visit www.aft.org/newspubs/periodicals/ae 2 yrs 36.00 30.00 For renewals include a mailing label, if available. All subscriptions one year unless otherwise indicated.
Early in each semester, teachers use the Cosmopolitan 29.97 18.00 *
for free access to almost all the articles published in Country Living 24.00 12.00 AFT SUBSCRIPTION SERVICES Publication Name Years Price
common period to meet daily with their Cruise Travel 44.95 11.97 Box 258 • Greenvale, NY 11548
the last 10-plus years.
department to discuss their curriculum, Dell Horoscope 52.87 32.97
Discover 29.95 24.95 Name__________________________________________
align their lessons, and identify students
Dog Fancy 24.00 13.00
who may need extra help. After the first Dog World 27.97 15.00 Address________________________________________
several weeks, the common periods are Ebony 1 yr 20.00 12.95 City, State, Zip___________________________________ Total
used to pull students out and provide 2 yrs 43.64 20.00 ❏ Please bill me
The Economist 127.00 77.00 * E-mail ________________________________________________ ❏ Check enclosed payable to: AFTSS
* These rates for AFT members ✃ ❏ Charge to my credit card
and college students only. Your School_____________________________________ ❏ Visa ❏ MasterCard ❏ Discover ❏ Amex
Exp.
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