[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 35 (Thursday, March 14, 1996)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E368-E369]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          EAST CENTRAL HIGH SCHOOL'S OVERALL EXCELLENCE AWARD

                                 ______


                           HON. FRANK TEJEDA

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, March 14, 1996

  Mr. TEJEDA. Mr. Speaker, I rise to pay tribute to East Central High 
School, a school in my district, for being recognized by Redbook 
magazine for overall excellence in its America's Best Schools Project 
competition. East Central High School is 1 of 63 schools nationwide 
recognized for its overall excellence in academics and extra-curricular 
activities.
  This distinction truly an accomplishment for which everyone connected 
to East Central High School should be proud. I applaud the faculty, 
school administrators, and staff for their dedication beyond the call 
of duty to provide the best education to their students. This

[[Page E369]]

is what has earned this school the recognition in Redbook. The students 
of East Central who have worked hard to learn and excel equally deserve 
praise. Last year, more than 800 students at the school brought home 
hard-won awards in a variety of disciplines. The parents of these 
students, who dedicate themselves to creating new and greater learning 
opportunities for their children, deserve our recognition.
  East Central High School draws from both urban and rural areas, being 
the only high school in a school district that spans 260 square acres. 
The area has a low tax base, and the school and the community came 
together to overcome financial challenges. They did so by creating a 
foundation to raise funds and provide incentive grants to teachers to 
create new, exciting programs to challenge and excite students. In this 
way, parents, teachers, administrators, and members of the community 
have created a wide variety of choices to excite the students and to 
encourage them to get involved.
  East Central's innovative efforts set a positive example to everyone 
whose goal is to enrich the lives of our children. Examples of this 
unique programming are impressive, as well as abundant. East Central 
students taking French are communicating with students in France using 
the Minitel, the French electronic information system. Students 
interested in hospitality management are receiving first-hand 
experience through mentoring programs at a local Marriott Hotel. 
Restructured English and history classes have spurred student interest 
to pursue these subjects beyond the required courses. New daily class 
schedules help students learn more with time for extracurricular 
activities. Extended library hours and an after-school tutoring program 
fosters a complete learning environment.
  Greater student achievement has been the result. The number of 
students on the honor roll each 9-week period increased dramatically 
while the student failure rate has decreased. Students have won local, 
regional, State, national, and international awards in history, 
science, literature, and agriculture. A student at East Central placed 
third at the International Conference for Science in Toronto, Canada. 
The school's one-act play took the district trophy for the first time 
in 10 years. Nine students placed in the U.I.L. Literary region 4 
contests. The school's basketball team ranks first in the State of 
Texas.
  I am greatly impressed by the spirit at East Central. Overcoming 
financial and geographic obstacles, the entire community created and 
continues to create a positive educational center for its students. The 
ability to think creatively, to put new ideas to the test, has paid 
off. East Central stands as an example of what a community can 
accomplish--not alone--but together.

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