[Congressional Record Volume 145, Number 164 (Thursday, November 18, 1999)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2442]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




             CONGRATULATING SOUTH GRAND PRAIRIE HIGH SCHOOL

                                 ______
                                 

                           HON. MARTIN FROST

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 17, 1999

  Mr. FROST. Mr. Speaker, I want to congratulate South Grand Prairie 
High for winning one of 13 New American High School awards from the 
Department of Education. This designation recognizes South Grand 
Prairie's tremendous efforts in raising academic standards and student 
achievement.
  South Grand Prairie is a diverse high school of over 2,400 students. 
It reflects the changing demographics of the surrounding community, 
half of the student body comes from minority backgrounds. In 1996, 
South Grand Prairie undertook an extensive reform program to raise 
academic performance by the school's ``middle majority,'' the large 
segment of the student body whose needs were not entirely being met. 
The high school created a full-academy model that incorporates Advanced 
Placement-level curricula with career-oriented programs.
  Students at South Grand Prairie pursue a rigorous academic program in 
an area that best suits them--Business and Computer Technology, 
Creative and Performing Arts, Health Science and Human Services, 
Humanities or Law, and Math, Science and Engineering. This allows 
students to raise their performance by capitalizing on their interests.
  South Grand Prairie has enlisted the entire community in this effort. 
They have formed partnerships with local middle schools and area 
colleges. An Academic Advisory Board comprised of students, teachers, 
and prominent local business and industry leaders, has been formed to 
develop a curriculum and assessments of the program. And the Chamber of 
Commerce participates in a teacher-shadowing program which allows 
educators to understand the skills needed in the vocational areas in 
which they are teaching.
  The results of this innovative program have been remarkable. South 
Grand Prairie has raised its students passage rate on Texas' state math 
exam by 18 percent. South Grand Prairie students pass the state's 
reading test at a 24 percent higher rate than the state average, and 
the school has higher SAT scores and rates of college enrollment than 
the state's average.
  Clearly, South Grand Prairie's academic reforms have been a success, 
the school is highly deserving of the New American High School award. 
If South Grand Prairie represents the future in American education, the 
future looks bright indeed. Congratulations to Principal Roy Garcia and 
all of South Grand Prairie's students, faculty, and parents. Your 
school is a model for all of America's high schools and you have made 
North Texas proud. I am pleased to be able to join South Grand Prairie 
officials at their White House award ceremony this Friday.

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