March 12, 2023
GREATER HOUSTON EDITION
Vol. 28, Issue 8
African-American News&Issues
“Addressing Current & Historical Realities Affecting Our Community”
Judge Ramirez and Aaron Hancock
MACARTHUR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS VISIT COURT By: Chelsea Davis-Bibb, Ed.D.
Superintendent Millard House II
HISD AND THE TEA TAKEOVER
By: Roy Douglas Malonson
Many are waiting to hear what will happen to the Houston Independent School District (HISD), as the Texas Education Agency (TEA) comes closer to taking over the district. There is no official date on when the takeover will take place, and Mayor Turner said, “To create this uncertainty, especially at a time when kids are about to take their exams, it is not fair to the students, or to the teachers, or to the parents, and quite frankly to this community as well.” TEA has made no comments regarding the matter, which continues to leave the community and students facing unknown territory.
Although progress has been made under Superintendent House’s leadership, who stepped in the role with tremendous challenges, a takeover is needed to ensure HISD receives the resources and tools they need for our students to be successful. HISD has had problems for many years and if this is how we save the district and turn it around for good, then the takeover needs to happen. According to Strategic Partnerships, “By law, TEA has the ability to take over a school district or charter school due to problems with finances, governance, academics or health HISD cont. on and security. pg. 3
Shauna Jones, Assistant Principal at MacArthur High School in the Aldine Independent School District (AISD), saw a need for keeping her students out of trouble and getting them on the right path. “I noticed that our students are making bad decisions, so I went to my building principal and told her that we have to do something different because our students are making decisions that could change the trajectory of their lives.” After she received approval from her principal, Shauna Showers, she arranged a field trip for the students to visit court. Jones wanted students to learn about the criminal justice system and the importance of making good decisions. Before the students went on the field trip, Jones did a mini lesson on the criminal justice system. “I had them analyze national and Harris County data, as far as the criminal justice system goes and had them look at statistics for different racial backgrounds so that they can get a feel for the racial disparities that are taking place in our country.” This was eye opening for the students as they saw the data of how many people are incarcerated and was able to process the information.
BLACK HISTORY IS 24/7/365, NOT 28–29 DAYS
Court cont. on pg. 6
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