General 4 27 06

Slide1: 

Swimming Up Stream: Communicating the Good News about Texas Public Schools Presented by Scott Milder President & CEO 1-888-SHW-1019 smilder@shwgroup.com www.fotps.org

Slide3: 

The Texas Supreme Court’s decision validates the quality of the foundation of our education system. The evidence showed – and the Supreme Court recognized – that high standards set by the Texas Legislature were being achieved at school districts around the state. Attorney General praises high court By Greg Abbott, State Attorney General

Slide4: 

Governor Rick Perry touts education gains at campaign stop in Houston, citing rises in test scores, college enrollment From the Governor Rick Perry Salutes Texas Schools

Slide5: 

Gold Performance Acknowledgements Show Significant Gains on TAKS --Texas Education Agency Overall 53.0% Reading 25.5% Writing 21.4% Social Studies 6.7% Math 16.0% 2004 2005 Campuses 67.0% 32.2% 29.1% 10.2% 20.9%

Slide6: 

A Decade of Reading Improvement --Texas School Coalition Hispanic Students African American Students White Students 1994 2003 65% 93% 60% 92% 87% 98%

Slide7: 

A Decade of Math Improvement --Texas School Coalition Hispanic Students African American Students White Students 1994 2003 47% 98% 38% 96% 73% 98%

Slide8: 

TAKS Scores Are Up When scores were expected to drop in spring 2004 due to the release of a more rigorous TAKS exam, Texas third graders exceeded expectations, scoring 91% passing in reading. --Texas Education Agency

Slide9: 

TAKS Standards Are Up TAKS is now more “rigorous” and comprehensive, testing students in English, Writing, Math, Science, and Social Studies. Teaching to the test is a good thing when the test covers the comprehension of material we expect our kids to learn.

Slide10: 

Rigorous --The Random House College Dictionary Uncomfortably severe or harsh. Challenging Stimulating and thought-provoking

Slide11: 

TAKS Math Scores Rising --Texas Education Agency Percent Passing Excluding Evacuees 2006 2005 81% 79% 82% Eighty-one percent of Texas students passed the state’s high-stakes fifth-grade mathematics exam – a test they must pass to be promoted to sixth grade.

Slide13: 

2005 NAEP 4th Grade Math Subgroup Results --Texas Business & Education Coalition 2005 Annual Review 9 1 2 2 1

Slide14: 

2005 NAEP 8th Grade Math Subgroup Results --Texas Business & Education Coalition 2005 Annual Review 20 3 2 2 3

Slide16: 

2005 NAEP 4th Grade Reading Subgroup Results --Texas Business & Education Coalition 2005 Annual Review 29 9 8 9 5

Slide17: 

2005 NAEP 8th Grade Reading Subgroup Results --Texas Business & Education Coalition 2005 Annual Review 36 6 10 15 19

Slide18: 

Each major ethnic group scored at the top of their class among peers nationally on the fourth and eighth grade National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) math and reading exams in 2004. Texas students outscore their peers in other states --Texas Education Agency

Slide19: 

“Texas has greatly reduced the percent of students who are performing below the basic level (on NAEP).” Statistical Progress --Texas Education Agency 1992 Today 44% 13% Texas 4th Graders

Slide20: 

District Ratings Including Charter Schools http://www.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/account/2005/statesummary.html

Slide21: 

District Ratings Excluding Charter Schools http://www.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/account/2005/statesummary.html

Slide22: 

Average Freshman Graduation Rate (AFG) Texas Nation 01-02 02-03 73.5% 75.5% 72.6% 73.9% http://nces.ed.gov/pubs2006/2006601.pdf

Slide24: 

More Students Are Taking the SAT Than Ever Before SCOREBOARD Texas 57% Nation 48% --Texas Association of School Boards

Slide25: 

Writing Scores Are Among The Nation's Best --Texas Association of School Boards The proportion of 8th grade students scoring at the highest two levels of writing achievement is the 3rd highest in the nation.

Slide26: 

More AP Courses Offered Since 1996 the proportion of schools offering Advanced Placement (AP) courses has increased by 32%! --Texas Association of School Boards

Slide27: 

Texas is No. 1 in the nation More students in Texas are taking advanced math courses like calculus, AP calculus, and AP statistics than in any other state. --Texas Association of School Boards

Slide28: 

Gifted & Talented Program is Nation’s Best! Texas leads the nation in the size and scope of its gifted and talented program. It is one of the top six states in the percentage of primary schools with a GT program.

Slide29: 

Foreign Language Programs Are Among Nation's Best! Texas leads the nation in cutting edge foreign language immersion programs for elementary school students – taking advantage of the natural capacity of young children to learn languages.

Slide30: 

2003-04 SCOREBOARD Texas $7,168 Nation $8,248 Texas Spends Less per Student Enrolled -- National Education Association

Slide31: 

From 1951 to 2005 Americans have won 195 or 56% of the 350 Nobel Prizes awarded in Medicine, Physics and Chemistry. In October 2005 the Americans were awarded four of the eight Nobel Prizes for science achievement. U.S. Leads World in Nobel Prizes -- Center for the Study of Jobs and Education in Wisconsin And United States

Slide33: 

It’s More Than Test Scores

Slide34: 

It’s More Than Test Scores

Slide35: 

It’s More Than Test Scores

Slide36: 

It’s More Than Test Scores

Slide37: 

It’s More Than Test Scores

Slide38: 

It’s More Than Test Scores

Slide39: 

It’s More Than Test Scores

Slide40: 

It’s More Than Test Scores

Slide41: 

It’s More Than Test Scores

Slide43: 

Now that we have all of this good news gathered, what do we do with it?

Slide45: 

Create a platform Start an organization Business Plan / Game Plan Champion (SHW Group) Build a Board of Directors Funding (sponsors/Network) Implement!

Slide46: 

Friends is the voice of reason and support for Texas public schools. We strive to balance the overwhelmingly negative public school debate with optimistic, factual accounts of success in our schools. By lifting up our public schools as places of triumph and achievement, we hope to restore Texans’ faith in our public school system. It is our honor, our pleasure, and our mission to salute the success of Texas public schools. Our Mission

Slide47: 

Our Vision We believe the people and businesses of Texas have a right to know their children are in good hands in Texas public schools, and that students are achieving more today than ever in public school history. We believe in sharing that good news with Texas. Celebrating achievement and continuing to improve are not mutually exclusive.

Slide48: 

What Is Friends Doing? Rallying the silent majority Launching a sustained statewide PR campaign Building non-partisan support Alliances Associations Businesses Elected Officials Media

Slide49: 

“Public education isn’t important because it serves the public, it is important because it creates the public.” -- Benjamin Barber

Slide50: 

HOW? Outdoor Advertising (billboards) Public Forums Radio/TV Public Service Announcements Pre-show movie theater spots Drive increases in positive mainstream media coverage Positive news tips to Network Alliances Events Public Speaking Building the Friends Network

Slide53: 

How Do I Get Involved? Visit www.fotps.org Review the facts about Texas public schools Speak positively about public education Challenge unfair criticism Become an official Friend Ask friends and family to join the network Ask businesses to join the network Bring Friends of Texas Public Schools to your community

Slide54: 

Make yourself heard!

Slide56: 

Presented by Scott Milder President & CEO 1-888-SHW-1019 smilder@shwgroup.com www.fotps.org Q&A Swimming Up Stream: Communicating the Good News about Texas Public Schools