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Bienvenidos to the TALAS community

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News Specifically for TALAS Members Bienvenidos to the TALAS new weekly newsletter. Each week, look no further for articles that reflect what’s happening with TALAS members, their districts and what’s taking place in educating Latino students in Texas and in our nation. Our goal is to inform, inspire, and keep connected. TALAS welcomes your ideas, suggestions and feedback at TALASNews@gmail.com

Ysleta ISD’s Gains Highlighted in ‘Christian Science Monitor’ The Christian Science Monitor has published a story highlighting Ysleta ISD as the top school district nationwide for students who take and successfully pass Advanced Placement (AP) exams. https://elpasoheraldpost.com/ysleta-isds-gains-highlighted-in-christian-science-monitor/

Pioneering spirit: How one school helps Latino students tackle AP tests An increase in Latino teens taking and passing Advanced Placement tests is drawing attention to the schools seeing success. At one in Texas, the focus on self-cultivation could offer a model for educators elsewhere.  https://www.csmonitor.com/EqualEd/2019/0131/Pioneering-spirit-How-one-school-helps-Latino-students-tackle-AP-tests

5 takeaways on the state of Dallas schools

Superintendent Michael Hinojosa has a lot to brag about these days with gains in academics and state leaders pointing to the Dallas school district as a symbol of innovation. https://www.dallasnews.com/news/education/2019/02/01/5-takeaways-state-dallas-schools

Austin ISD Is Going To Close Or Consolidate Some Schools. Here’s How The District’s Going To Do It Facing a major budget shortfall and declining enrollment, the Austin Independent School District says it’s working on a plan to close or consolidate schools that could be finalized as soon as this summer. http://www.kut.org/post/austin-isd-going-close-or-consolidate-some-schools-heres-how-districts-going-do-it

UTRGV project to help Valley teachers expand on local history Two University of Texas Rio Grande Valley professors have received a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities for a project focused on how to implement Rio Grande Valley history into elementary classrooms. https://www.valleymorningstar.com/education/utrgv/utrgv-project-to-help-valley-teachers-expand-on-local-history/article_aafaa974-2e41-11e9-b716-03608fdddfff.html

This Mexican musical tradition is now an official sanctioned high school event in Texas Mariachi performance is a fully sanctioned  University Interscholastic League event for the first time this year — a sign the  Mexican ensemble style of music  known for its stringed instruments, trumpets and powerful Spanish-language vocals is growing in popularity at Texas high schools. https://www.star-telegram.com/news/local/education/article225557480.html

Bilingual educators honored at San Antonio group’s 40th annual gathering Carlos G. Perez was a bilingual student, graduating in 1993 from Eagle Pass High School and so enamored with language learning that he earned a master’s degree in bilingual education at the University of Texas at San Antonio. On Friday, he was named Bilingual Teacher of the Year by the San Antonio Area Association for Bilingual Education at its 40th annual conference. https://www.expressnews.com/news/education/article/Bilingual-educators-honored-at-San-Antonio-13582093.phpxt Link

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Remember to SAVE THE DATE for the UT/TASA Summer Conference and the TALAS Pre-conference on Sunday, June 23 in Austin .

Meet TALAS’ President and Vice-President

TALAS President Martha Salazar-Zamora, Superintendent, Tomball ISD https://www.tomballisd.net/apps/pages/superintendent

TALAS Vice-President Rick Lopez, Superintendent, Garland ISD https://www.garlandisd.net/content/dr-ricardo-lópez

Mil gracias to our Oro Sponsors for their on-going support of TALAS!

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