Tag: Houston education

Houston Matters

Teacher Evaluations Back in Spotlight

Posted on · Last month, the Association of Professional Educators announced a petition to challenge the state's planned updated appraisal system tying teacher evaluation scores to student performance on standardized tests. That announcement followed a lawsuit brought by the Texas State Teachers Association, seeking to invalidate part of the new evaluation system being planned by Texas Education Commissioner […]

Houston Matters

How Prevalent Is The “Summer Melt” Among Houston Students?

Posted on · In the summer between high school and college, some graduates enroll but never show up in the fall. In higher education circles, the phenomenon is called “summer melt.” The U.S. Department of Education estimates as many as 10 to 20% of students nationwide plan to go to college, and then don’t. Some do so for […]

Houston Matters

Inside the Classroom: How a Program Brought a Teacher Back From Verge of Quitting

Posted on · Many teachers use the summer as a time to learn new tools for the next school year. For one teacher in south Houston, that meant a new way of managing her classroom. When Verlia Reed-Byrd first taught seventh grade English at Thomas Middle School in south Houston, she struggled so much that she considered quitting. […]

Houston Matters

UH President Discusses Issues Facing Higher Education Today

Posted on · Since January 2008, Renu Khator has served as Chancellor of the University of Houston System, and President of UH. In that role, she has overseen an organization serving more than 67,000 students, and a university system that has a significant impact on the Greater Houston community. She’s the first woman to serve as Chancellor of […]

Houston Matters

What Should Newcomers Know About Getting Around and Choosing A School?

Posted on · We continue Houston Matters’ annual guide for newcomers by discussing everything new Houstonians need to know about transportation and education in Greater Houston, with News 88.7 transportation reporter Gail Delaughter, and education reporter Laura Isensee.

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Sustainability Through Higher Ed, 4H, FFA, & FotoFest: Houston Matters for Tuesday, March 18, 2014

Posted on · A new report from Rice University’s Shell Center for Sustainability examines disparities in education and income in Houston, and its impact on the city’s economic expansion. “Houston Community Sustainability: The Quality of Life Atlas” looks at 24 social, economic, and environmental indicators of sustainability in 88 Houston “super-neighborhoods” and recommends major intervention to encourage more […]

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The New Houstonians, Kids and Technology, and Bats: Houston Matters for Tues., Feb. 25, 2014

Posted on · In a typical year, more than 60,000 people move to the Houston region. They tend to be young (the median age in Harris County is just under 33). In many cases, they’re here to start or advance their careers, because this is where the jobs are. On this edition of Houston Matters, we’ll discuss what […]

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Houston Matters for Wed., Nov. 13, 2013

Posted on · There are a lot of paths to a quality education. While many may go straight from high school to a four year college, others enter the work force, or the military for a time, and then may return to school. Some attend trade schools or community colleges. Some never pursue higher education. An initiative launched […]

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Houston Matters for Thurs., Oct. 10, 2013

Posted on · U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew is warning lawmakers that unless Congress raises the debt ceiling by next Thursday, he cannot promise any payments to anyone, including social security recipients and U.S. bondholders. What was once seen by many as a rubber stamp vote in Congress has become a line in the sand for some Tea […]

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Houston Matters for Wed., Oct. 9, 2013

Posted on · Science, technology, engineering and math – or STEM – majors can lead to high-paying jobs, especially in Houston where many industries rely on people with that knowledge. And yet, there are some disparities when it comes to which students participate in such STEM programs. According to the National Action Council for Minorities in Engineering, African-Americans […]