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Texas News
Socorro ISD trustee Najera selected to serve on Texas state advocacy board
Socorro Independent School Board Trustee Cynthia Najera is about to take on a statewide leadership role.

Najera has been selected to serve on the Board of Directors of the Texas Association of School Boards.

She has been chosen for the association’s governing board to represent local public school boards as the interim director for the Region 19 area.
The spirit of giving in Seguin continues year after year
Our community has once again shown its love and support for those in need.

There was a massive turnout during last Friday’s KWED Holiday Food and Toy Drive.

The event raised money, plus new unwrapped toys and non-perishable food items for the Seguin Police Department’s Blue Santa Program and the local food pantry, the Christian Cupboard. 

The food and toy drive welcomed some special guests, including Seguin ISD Superintendent Dr. Matthew Gutierrez.
Texas moves toward revoking largest teacher prep program’s accreditation
Texas Teachers of Tomorrow’s future is in jeopardy after failing to show improvements

Texas’ largest teacher preparation program failed to show enough improvements on probation, so the state is moving toward revoking its accreditation, according to documents obtained by The Dallas Morning News.

Now the fate of Texas Teachers of Tomorrow is in limbo as it likely faces a lengthy trial to determine whether it can continue to certify would-be educators.
The Texas Story: How Mid-Sized Cities Can Prepare Students for Jobs of the Future
Ecosystems of local support, effective governance and innovation are key

The ecosystems in Midland and Longview are a point of distinction. Both have traditional support from organizations like the local Chamber of Commerce, which typically understand the importance of an educated workforce to help fuel the local business community. Yet in Midland, leaders from business, philanthropy, and education are actively advocating for improvement in their school system.
Lizzo uses People’s Choice Awards speech to honor teacher killed in Uvalde massacre
Lizzo was named The People’s Champion during Tuesday night’s People’s Choice Awards. And she used the platform to again prove why she won the honor.

The Houston-raised singer brought 17 women activists onstage, including Maggie Mireles-Thomas of Uvalde. Mireles-Thomas is the sister of Eva Mireles, a fourth-grade teacher who was killed during the May 24 mass shooting at Rob Elementary School in Uvalde. The gunman killed 19 students and two teachers before he was stopped by police.
Affiliate Feature
The Association of Hispanic School Administrators, TALAS’ Houston affiliate, is a Region IV organization dedicated to impacting all students with a focus on Latino leaders and learners.
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National News
We’re About to Find Out If the Pandemic is Really Over. Are Schools Ready?
Williams: No one wants to think about the pandemic as a pressing health crisis anymore, but that thinking comes with a cost

I’m writing today’s column underwater. In a windowless submarine. Full to the brim with quicksand and malaise. 

On the one hand, I’m just living another round of the fall parenting ritual—the seasonal cold that one of my three kids brought home. 
School Districts That Serve Students of Color Receive Significantly Less Funding
Updated data from The Education Trust identifies school funding gaps within states and between districts and schools

Across the country, districts with the most Black, Latino, and Native students receive substantially less state and local revenue — as much as $2,700 per student — less than districts with the fewest students of color. In a district with 5,000 students, this means $13.5 million in missing resources.
How 4 districts are infusing equitable practices into accelerated learning
A district guide from The Education Trust focuses on five key areas for advancing equity and rigor in the use of American Rescue Plan funds.

Nearly all assessment data shows students from marginalized communities lost more ground during the pandemic than their White and wealthier peers, even though some signs say overall student learning is starting to improve.
Civil rights at stake: Black, Hispanic students blocked from class for missing class
Experts say disparities warrant more investigation

Camron Olivas has been suspended at least five times throughout middle and high school for being late to class. While his mother cares for his toddler sister, his older brother drives him in, and they frequently arrive after the first bell. During the day, Camron said he sometimes remains in the hallways too long between classes, talking to his friends.

Punishments for the teen’s tardiness have escalated from warnings to in-school suspensions to multiday out-of-school suspensions.
These Hispanic CEOs Are Supporting Future Generations Through Education And Entrepreneurship
When Dr. Antonio Flores arrived in the United States at the age of 25, he didn’t speak much English. In spite of having to learn a second language, Flores completed his master’s degree and a Ph.D. He later became the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)’s president and CEO.

HACU’s mission is to champion Hispanic success in higher education through its 488 colleges, universities and school districts located in 35 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and 9 countries in Latin America and Europe. The association hopes to foster the next generation of diverse leaders in higher education to ensure all students can find a diverse community on their college campuses.
Las Tienditas
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