[Congressional Record Volume 153, Number 189 (Tuesday, December 11, 2007)]
[Senate]
[Page S15132]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         ADDITIONAL STATEMENTS

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             RECOGNIZING HIDALGO EARLY COLLEGE HIGH SCHOOL

 Mr. CORNYN. Mr. President, today I recognize the many schools 
in my State of Texas that are working to close achievement gaps and 
provide their students with an excellent education. Last week, the U.S. 
News and World Report issued the very first national rankings for the 
Best High Schools in America. Out of more than 20,000 schools that were 
evaluated, one school in south Texas, Hidalgo Early College High 
School, ranked 11th among the top schools that provide ``a good 
education across their entire student body, not just for some 
students.''
  I will have more to say about the other schools on the list in 
separate remarks, but today I would like to focus on the extraordinary 
story of Hidalgo High School, home of the Pirates and 850 Hispanic 
students in grades 9-12.
  Hidalgo, TX, is a small town, population 7322, on the U.S.-Mexico 
border about 250 miles south of San Antonio. Although Hidalgo is the 
fourth largest U.S. port of entry, unemployment tops 11 percent and 
nearly 40 percent of the population is below the poverty level. Over a 
quarter of the students at Hidalgo High are limited English proficient. 
Yet this school has a 94-percent graduation rate.
  A grant from the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2006 has 
allowed Hidalgo High and the University of Texas-Pan American to 
develop an innovative partnership for college preparation. All students 
at Hidalgo High School are enrolled in the Early College High School 
Program, where they will earn both a high school diploma and an 
associate's degree or up to 2 years of credit toward a bachelor's 
degree. Students receive college level credit from the University of 
Texas-Pan American. The class of 2010 will be the first class to 
participate in this program for a full 4 years.
  According to Hidalgo High Principal Edward Blaha:

       We continuously strive to seek high expectations for all 
     students in their academic, civic and social endeavors and to 
     provide them with opportunities for a successful transition 
     to higher education and the marketplace. . . . Our high 
     school program is designed to engage students in active, 
     collaborative learning that emphasizes the development of 
     critical thinking skills to be applied to real-world 
     concepts.

  Congratulations to Principal Edward Blaha, the faculty and staff, and 
all of the students and their families at Hidalgo High School on 
achieving this distinction. The decision to pursue the Early College 
High School Program provides students with the educational 
opportunities necessary to generate economic and intellectual progress. 
I am proud of your vision, hard work and achievement.

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