[Congressional Record Volume 143, Number 114 (Wednesday, September 3, 1997)]
[House]
[Page H6765]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]


         CONGRATULATIONS TO ALDINE INDEPENDENT SCHOOL DISTRICT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentleman from Texas [Mr. Green] is recognized for 5 minutes.
  Mr. GREEN. Mr. Speaker, I would like to associate myself with the 
remarks of the gentlewoman from Texas [Ms. Jackson-Lee], my colleague 
from Houston. That championship game last week was exciting not only 
for those of us who are from Houston, but all across the country.
  Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to be here on the floor of the House 
and pleased to announce the high performance rating for a school 
district in Houston, Aldine Independent School District. It was 
recognized by the Texas Education Agency for the quality of their 
program.
  As the parent of two graduates of Aldine schools, and my wife who 
teaches in the Aldine schools, and representing, along with the 
gentlewoman from Texas [Ms. Jackson-Lee], about half the district, it 
is a pleasure to see the school district receive the recognition that 
it deserves.
  According to the latest data released by the Texas Education Agency, 
Aldine ranks among the Texas high performance school districts. This 
rating was based on 1996-1997 Texas Assessment of Academic Skills, our 
Statewide TAAS scores, attendance records, and low dropout rate.
  Aldine is the largest recognized school in the State with a student 
enrollment of approximately 48,000 students. To earn a recognized 
rating, 75 percent of all students in each students group, district-
wide, must pass each TAAS subject area. In addition, the dropout rate 
for all students cannot exceed 3.5 percent. They must also maintain an 
attendance rate of at least 94 percent.
  Only a few schools have reached the high performing level of 
recognized or exemplary and Aldine is one of the four ``recognized'' 
school districts in Harris County, TX.
  By achieving a recognized designation from the State, it is a great 
honor for everybody in the school district. But it is more than that. 
It recognizes each individual's hard work and commitment to education.
  More specifically, a special thank you for the dedication of the 
curriculum program directors, principals, the teachers, the teaching 
assistants, and the students. It is a collaborative effort by these 
individuals which guarantee the continued success of the school 
district.

  One of the reasons for the success of the Aldine Independent School 
District is their curriculum. The staff development focuses on teamwork 
and giving teachers of all subject areas the chance to support academic 
success. Each teacher in the district receives the same materials 
containing the same common strategies throughout the district. Program 
directors from different subject areas then work with the teachers on 
integrating those common strategies into their curriculum.
  The curriculum is based on the continual assessment of student 
performance, analysis of student performance data, and the development 
of benchmarks, targets, and then implementation. It is a structured 
system to ensure that the skills are mastered and applied to each 
student's learning.
  Not only has there been success for Aldine Independent School 
District, but there has also been success for the State of Texas. 
Students across the State of Texas have improved their performance on 
TAAS testing, TAAS is a statewide assessment of skills, from 55 percent 
in 1994 to 73 percent in 1997. In comparison, Aldine ISD students have 
improved their mastery from 49 percent in 1994, to 75 percent in 1997.
  For the State of Texas as a whole, the figures show an increase in 
the number of highest performing districts and a decrease in the number 
of lowest performing districts statewide, despite tougher performance 
standards for the years 1996 and 1997. Again, each year the performance 
standards get tougher, as we know, the worldwide competition gets 
tougher.
  Texas has the most high school seniors taking the SAT test than any 
State in the country, at 48 percent, and these scores have continued to 
improve. Texas has brought education to the forefront. It is a priority 
for everyone, and that is an important distinction.
  Again, Mr. Speaker, I am glad to be here this evening and recognize 
the contribution and the success of the Aldine Independent School 
District to the education of our children.

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