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INFORMATION ONLY |
August 23, 2000
TO: THE ADMINISTRATOR ADDRESSED
SUBJECT: THE TEXAS SUCCESSFUL SCHOOLS STUDY
Attached to this correspondence is a copy of the Executive Summary
of The Texas Successful Schools Study: Quality Education for Limited
English Proficient Students recently completed by the Office for the
Education of Special Populations as part of the Commissioner's
Educational Research Initiative for 1998-99. The study was conducted
as a result of a recommendation made in A Report to the 75th Texas
Legislature from the Texas Education Agency in December 1996, to
"…further educational research concerning the instruction and
assessment of limited English proficient students." The study
was realized through collaborative efforts between the Texas
Education Agency, seven elementary campuses, and Texas A&M
University, Corpus Christi.
In keeping with the Agency's mission to educate all children in Texas public schools, the study was conducted to assist school districts faced with teacher shortages and with enrollment increases of limited English proficient (LEP) students. The study profiles programs, policies, and instructional practices of seven successful schools and documents their contributions to the academic success of LEP students. The seven schools include: Bowie and Clover Elementary Schools in the Pharr-San Juan-Alamo ISD; Campestre Elementary, Socorro ISD; Castañeda Elementary, Brownsville ISD; Kelly Elementary, Hidalgo ISD; La Encantada Elementary, San Benito CISD; and Scott Elementary, Roma ISD. We congratulate the principals of these schools, while recognizing that there are many success stories throughout the state regarding the education of children from special populations
The full report is being shared with educators and policymakers through the TEA web site. The study report will be supplemented by an Educator User Guide for use by administrators and educational personnel that is designed to enable them to meet the challenging state content and student performance standards for curriculum and assessment for all students. The Guide will also be available through the agency's web site following the release of the study report.
We encourage educators at every level to become familiar with the findings of the study and its possible use as a management and instructional tool. Individuals who have an opportunity to review this document are also encouraged to complete the Study Evaluation Form included in the document. The opinions expressed in that survey will serve as feedback for consideration and development of future leadership efforts by the TEA. As indicated, this report will be available at the Texas Education Agency web site at www.tea.state.tx.us. Questions on The Texas Successful Schools Study: Quality Education for Limited English Proficient Students may be directed to Oscar M. Cárdenas, Senior Project Manager, at (512) 463-9714 or ocardena@tea.state.tx.us.
Sincerely,
Carol V. Francois
Associate Commissioner for the Education of Special Populations
For further information on this topic, contact .