[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 154 (2008), Part 9]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 12295]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




  SALUTING MARTHA AND JOSH MORRISS ELEMENTARY SCHOOL ON COMPLETION OF 
                FIRST YEAR OF OUTSTANDING STEM EDUCATION

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                           HON. RALPH M. HALL

                                of texas

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 11, 2008

  Mr. HALL of Texas. Madam Speaker, I am pleased to recognize the 
Martha and Josh Morriss Mathematics and Engineering Elementary School 
in Texarkana, Texas, upon completion of its first year of science, 
technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) focused curriculum. On 
June 6 classes concluded for the summer, marking the completion of the 
first year of this innovative, groundbreaking school in the Fourth 
Congressional District of Texas.
  Morriss Elementary, serving children in grades K-5, is part of a 
vertically aligned K-16 engineering education collaboration between 
Texas A&M University--Texarkana and the Texarkana Independent School 
District (TISD). This collaborative effort provides mathematics and 
pre-engineering integrated curriculum and pre-engineering electives for 
students, who are admitted on a competitive basis. Students graduating 
from the elementary school will be able to continue an advanced math 
and science program through middle school and high school as they 
follow a path to a college degree in one of the STEM fields.
  On May 12, 2008, the House Science and Technology Committee held a 
field hearing at Morriss Elementary School to receive testimony on 
efforts to engage students in math and science at an early age, to keep 
them interested throughout middle school and high school, and to 
translate that interest into rewarding careers that will be of benefit 
to the entire Nation from a federal, school district, university, 
industry and teacher perspective. At the hearing, witnesses praised the 
efforts being made at Morriss Elementary. We saw first-hand how a 
community came together and created, with entirely local funding, what 
could be a national model for K-16 collaboration in mathematics and 
engineering. The vision for this school began with Dr. James Sullivan, 
former TISD Superintendent and current Texarkana City Manager, and his 
wife, Dr. Rosanne Stripling, Provost and Vice President for Academic 
Affairs at Texas A&M University--Texarkana. The plan received the 
support of the Board of TISD and, coupled with the generous land 
donation from Martha and Josh Morriss, became a reality last year.
  The school does not have an attendance zone, and any elementary-age 
student living in the vicinity is eligible to apply for enrollment on a 
first-come basis without charge. The school is designed for 
approximately 400 students, with three sections each in grades K-1, 2-
3, and 4-5. Due to a very high demand, a waiting list has been 
established for most of the primary grades.
  Texas A&M University--Texarkana Arts and Sciences and Education 
faculty assist the TISD curriculum personnel and teachers to design the 
mathematics and engineering integrated curriculum and electives. 
University faculty develop content and pedagogy courses to train the 
elementary teachers to deliver the curriculum using effective teaching 
strategies that promote mastery of the curriculum by all students. All 
of the Morriss Elementary teachers are required to obtain a Masters 
Degree and either the Texas Master Mathematics Teacher Certification or 
Texas Master Technology Teacher Certification through preparation 
programs offered at A&M--Texarkana.
  I am proud of the success of Morriss Elementary and wish to commend 
TISD Superintendent James Henry Russell and school Principal Rick 
Sandlin for the wonderful job they are doing. I also wish to 
congratulate the students and the teachers on the completion of their 
first year and look forward to monitoring the progress of these 
students as well as the continued success of Morriss Elementary. Our 
Nation's ability to continue to lead the world in innovation and 
competitiveness will depend in large part on our ability to motivate 
students to succeed and pursue careers in STEM fields. Morriss 
Elementary is an example of how that thrust can succeed at the local 
level with the vision and support of educators, parents, community 
leaders and students.

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