[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 148 (Wednesday, October 14, 2009)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Pages E2517-E2518]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 CONGRATULATING THE ALDINE SCHOOL DISTRICT FOR WINNING THE BROAD PRIZE 
                          FOR URBAN EDUCATION

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                        HON. SHEILA JACKSON-LEE

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 13, 2009

  Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of H. 
Res. 791, congratulating the Aldine Independent School District in 
Harris County, Texas, on winning the 2009 Broad Prize for Urban 
Education. I am proud to support this resolution because the Broad 
Prize for Urban Education reflects the hard work and outstanding effort 
that the Aldine Independent School District, Aldine ISD, has exerted to 
improve overall performance and reduce achievement gaps among low-
income and minority students.
  The honor bestowed upon Aldine ISD is a beacon of hope for improving 
public education in Texas and the United States. With over 61,000 
students enrolled, Aldine ISD is one of the largest local education 
agencies in my congressional district and nearly 80 percent of those 
students qualify for free and reduced lunches. Providing a quality 
education to such a large number of students, especially students with 
diverse socioeconomic backgrounds, poses challenges for school 
districts across the United States.
  Aldine ISD's receipt of the Broad Prize for Urban Education is a 
testament to the hard work of parents, teachers, and students as well 
as the steady leadership of the district administration. Aldine ISD 
uses a district-wide plan focused on student achievement, student 
behavior, and community relations. The district administration uses 
that district-wide plan to ensure that its schools provide a 
supportive, safe, and--most importantly--effective learning 
environment. The district has succeeded in communicating clear 
expectations of academic excellence to teachers and increasing school 
administrators' oversight of student success.
  Aldine ISD's model has produced incredible results. The school 
district regularly ranks as one of the top performers of all districts 
in the State of Texas. Studies by Texas A&M University and the 
University of Texas--Pan American showed that Aldine ISD ranks as one 
of the best school districts for educating African-American and 
Hispanic students in Texas. In 2008, African-American students in 
Aldine ISD achieved higher proficiency rates in math at all school 
levels and in reading at the middle and high school levels than their 
counterparts across the State. In 2008, Hispanic and low-income 
students in Aldine ISD performed the best in State reading and math 
assessments relative to similar Texas school districts.
  A crucial product of Aldine ISD's success is the narrowing of 
achievement gaps. Math achievement gaps at all income levels were among 
the smallest in the State and between

[[Page E2518]]

2005 and 2008 Aldine ISD narrowed the highest percentage of African-
American achievement gaps. Not only is Aldine ISD closing the 
achievement gap but also it is preparing increasing numbers of students 
for higher education. From 2005 to 2008 African-American and Hispanic 
student participation in SAT and Advanced Placement rose.
  By these measurements, Aldine ISD clearly deserves the Broad Prize 
for Urban Education. The award is given to large urban school districts 
that show solid school achievement and demonstrate distinct gains made 
in narrowing achievement gaps. I am proud of the hard work that Aldine 
ISD has done to earn this award and I am thankful to the Eli and Edythe 
Broad Foundation for recognizing their efforts.

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