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TEA delays accountability ratings release By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com Those wanting to see how their own or their child’s school is measuring up when it comes to the Texas Education Agency’s annual accountability ratings are going to have to wait just a little bit longer, according to the organization. On Tuesday, the TEA announced that there is going to be a “temporary” delay of about a month in the release of the organization’s 2023 A through F accountability ratings for schools in Texas. According to the TEA, the ratings were set to be released on Sept. 28, but will now be released in October. The organization said the delay is meant to “allow for a further re-ex-
amination of the baseline data used in the calculation of Progress to ensure ratings reflect the most appropriate goals for students.” Texas’s state legislature developed the current accountability system, which ranks schools and districts on a scale of A to F, back in 2015. The system rates schools based on three areas – student achievement, school progress and a campus’ ability to close academic gaps, according to the Texas Education Agency. According to the TEA, the delay is needed in order to implement the “periodic” update of the A-F indicators and cut points. Cut points are defined as “specific numerical targets” that districts and campuses must reach in order to receive a particular letter grade. Since the passage
of House Bill (HB) 22 in 2017, Texas state law requires cut points and indicators in the accountability system to be updated periodically according to the TEA. Those have remained unchanged since 2017, according to the organization. “Maintaining high expectations helps guide our efforts to improve student learning and support,” Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath said. “The A-F system is designed to properly reflect how well our schools are meeting those high expectations, and the adjustments we are making this year will ensure it continues to serve as a tool for parents and educators to help our students.” Whenever they are released, a number of Houston ISD schools will be waiting to see how they performed
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Photo by Greg Lavaty The Yellow-crowned Night Heron, the city of Houston’s official bird, will be one of the many types of birds learned about during Houston Bird Week Sept. 23-30. Meant to highlight the region’s impact on traveling birds, the weeklong series of events includes local nature spots.
Area nature spots hosting Houston Bird Week events
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Larger than life Check out Art Valet as Mitch Cohen catches up with an artist whose work will be at First Saturday Art Market this weekend
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Familiar comfort For years, Simos Diner has been a neighborhood staple. Check out reviewer Dan Greer’s experience inside today
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By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com The city of Houston is preparing an annual series of events later this month that are meant to recognize the importance of the city’s wildlife and birdlife and how the city helps those birds who pass through the region, and there are multiple area preserves and nature spots hosting one or multiple events. From Sept. 23-30, Houston Audubon is hosting its fourth annual Houston Bird Week. Houston Bird Week first began in 2019 as an idea from Houston Audubon’s inaugural Young Professionals Advisory Council to commemorate Houston Audubon’s 50th anniversary, according to its website. From there, the efforts grew to include a city-wide competition to determine the Bird of Houston - which was made official with a proclamation by the mayor’s office – that eventually led to the Yellowcrowned Night Heron becoming the official bird of Houston, according to the organization. Among the spots hosting an event during the weeklong festivities are
See TEA P. 3
By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com Houston authorities are searching for a man who is wanted for allegedly sexually abusing a child multiple times over a period of years, according to a news release from Houston Crime Stoppers. Archie Lee, 37, is wanted by police on charges of Continuous Sexual Abuse of a Child, according to Harris County court records. Lee remains on the run as of Wednesday, according to Crime Stoppers. Crime Stoppers said that the Houston Police Department officers were responding this past March 23 to a report of alleged sexual abuse that allegedly happened in the 4500 block of Sherwood Lane near the Lazybrook/Timbergrove area. During the course of the investigation, Crime Stoppers said the victim made an outcry of alleged sexual abuse by Lee over a period of two years from February 2008 through February 2010. Lee is described in court records as being a Black male standing about 5-foot-11 and weighing 180 pounds with brown eyes and black hair. Houston Crime Stoppers may pay up to $5,000 for information that leads to the charging and/or arrest of Lee. Information can be reported by calling 713-222-8477 (TIPS). Community members can also submit tips online at crimestoppers.org or through the Houston Crime Stoppers mobile app.
Photo from Houston Arboretum Facebook Among events will be guided tours and more during Houston Bird Week.
Lorraine Cherry Nature Preserve in the Heights, as well as White Oak Bayou and the Houston Arboretum and Nature Center. “Houston Bird Week is a celebration of the important role Houston plays in the journey of billions of migratory birds and the everyday lives of our resident birds,” Houston Audubon says on its website.
The Audubon says that due to Houston’s location along the Gulf of Mexico as well as various factors – restoring prairies, bird-friendly education programs, and more – that earned it a Bird City designation in 2020, the aim is to celebrate the city’s contribution to the lives of birds that pass through it. See Bird P. 3
Archie Lee
Photo courtesy Crimestoppers
County historical society celebrating centennial celebration
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in the latest rankings. Local schools Love and Durham elementary schools both saw their ratings make huge jumps from C ratings in 2018-2019 to an A in
Man wanted for alleged sexual abuse of child
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Off the mat See how St. Pius X got their first win of the season and more in this week’s high school football roundup
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By Landan Kuhlmann landan@theleadernews.com
Harris County is home to many historic sites, including many of the historic Heights neighborhoods. And this year, one of the organizations dedicated to celebrating and preserving knowledge of the county’s history is celebrating a milestone.
The Harris County Historical Society, founded in 1923, is celebrating its 100th year in existence this year, according to a news release from the nonprofit organization. And to help celebrate the centennial, the Historical Society is working to encourage interest in Harris County’s great history, to recognize its 100-year legacy, and to establish an endowment
for an annual Award of Excellence given to a student through the Center for Public History at the University of Houston. “The purpose of the Harris County Historical Society is to encourage, advocate and administer the discovery, collection, preservation and publication of See Centennial P. 3
Allegiance Bank and CommunityBank of Texas have come together as Stellar Bank. While our name has changed, our commitment to serving our customers and supporting our local communities will stay the same. We look forward to a bright future together.
2222 North Durham | 281.517.8760 Margaret Vandever, Bank Office President Cecilia Rodriguez, Office Manager