Category Archives: Superintendent

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April 2015 Notes from Dr. Brown

NotesFrom

In public schools, April is a stressful time for students, parents and staff. For more than three decades, state-mandated testing has raised anxiety levels in homes and classrooms. April 2015 is no different. Once again, we have seen stress levels rise as the STAAR testing approached. And, once more, students rose to the occasion and, using what they learned in classrooms across BISD, did their very best.

In the days and weeks to come, BISD will share results from this year’s STAAR and end-of-course exams. But until those results are available, I want to remind you of some of the celebrations from 2014:

  • BISD test scores exceeded the state average in every area of the STAAR grades 3‒8 and end-of-course (EOC) exams, with the exception of seventh-grade math.
  • Third-grade students exceeded the state average on the STAAR math test by five percentage points.
  • Students taking the eighth-grade math test exceeded the state average on the STAAR math test by seven percentage points.
  • Eighth-grade students exceeded the state average on the STAAR social studies test by five percentage points.
  • BISD students scored seven percentage points above the state average on the Algebra 1 EOC exam.
  • BISD students scored seven percentage points above the state average on the Reading 1 EOC exam and six percentage points above the state average on the Reading 2 EOC exam.
  • BISD students scored seven percentage points above the state average on the Writing 1 EOC exam and eight percentage points above the state average on the Writing 2 EOC exam.
  • Students scored six percentage points above the state average on the biology EOC exam and seven percentage points above the state average on the chemistry EOC exam.
  • BISD students scored seven percentage points above the state average on the world geography EOC exam and nine percentage points above the state average on the world history EOC exam.
  • For the second year in a row, all three high schools increased the number of students earning a 3 or better on their AP exams.
  • For the 10th consecutive year, BISD has received the highest rating from the state, “Superior Achievement,” for their financial management of taxpayer dollars.
  • Former State Comptroller Susan Combs awarded Birdville ISD the prestigious 2014 Platinum Leadership Circle Award. The Platinum Circle Award is the highest award given to local government entities for financial transparency.
  • Education Resource Group recognized BISD as one of the top ten large school districts in Texas for achieving high academic performance while maintaining efficient operations.

Follow the great things happening across Birdville ISD on our website, Facebook and Twitter under #BISDShines.

Website: www.birdvilleschools.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/birdvilleschools

Twitter: https://twitter.com/birdvilleschool

Though final results from 2015 testing will not be announced by the state until later this summer, I feel confident that BISD students and staff will shine once again.

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February 2015, Notes from Dr. Darrell G. Brown

February 2015 NotesFromThese are exciting times for our children. With today’s technology, they have educational opportunities available like never before.

In January, six students who are deaf or partially deaf had the opportunity to participate in a unique educational opportunity that reached across the nation. This took place without ever leaving the campus of Smithfield Middle.

These students were members of a special Battle of the Books team that competed against three other deaf/hearing impaired teams from across the nation. Those teams were at state schools for the deaf in Georgia, Louisiana and Massachusetts. The competition occurred through simultaneous video webcast using sign language interpreters from Gallaudet University. The competition was coordinated with the assistance of Beth Muirhead, Smithfield Middle School librarian; the Deaf Education staff (particularly their teacher, Teresa Fuller); and Gallaudet University in Washington, D.C. (Gallaudet University sponsored and coordinated the event.)

Each team spent months reading and learning facts from books on a designated reading list. They then used technology to join together to see interpreters, written questions and opposing teams. Questions were asked about the books through the interpreters, and teams had to answer the questions correctly within a designated time.

I am so proud of our students and staff for participating in this unique opportunity. Though they did not win the competition, they are winners for all they learned and for what they taught us in never giving up, despite the challenges they face every day.

Thank you to the BISD community for continuing to support our students, staff and schools.

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Notes From …

NotesFrom

 

Like the beginning of a new school year, the spring semester in Birdville ISD is filled with exciting opportunities for our students. Battle of the Books, spelling bees, Celebrating Texas Public Schools week, fine arts performances, students competing in academic and skills competitions, and the list goes on. Since the school year began, students have been working hard for their respective competitions.

As I write this, teams from all 21 elementary campuses are finalizing their preparations for BISD’s 2014 Battle of the Books competition on January 30 at the Thomas Coliseum. The purpose of the Battle of the Books is to:

  • Promote recreational reading,
  • Expose students to a variety of literature,
  • Enhance reading comprehension and retention,
  • Foster academic competition, and
  • Develop the ability to work as a team.

At the conclusion of the 2013-14 school year, elementary students have been reading books from primary to intermediate levels to compete for the coveted Battle of the Books trophy and title. More than 300 students will represent their respective campuses in answering, from memory, specific questions from a list of 25 books. Next month, I will share with you a picture of the winning team.

Also during this time of year, high school students across the region, state and nation begin competing in high-level academic and skills competitions. In these contests, BISD students have the opportunity to showcase their knowledge and skills. Included in these competitions are music students who spent months preparing for multiple auditions for the prestigious honor of being in the 2014 All-State Band or Choir. Thousands of hopeful students statewide began this difficult journey in October, but only a handful of the very best from across the state ever earn the right to be called an All-State Band or Choir member.

At the conclusion of the final round of auditions in January, BISD had 21 musicians achieve the highest individual award a high school music student can attain in Texas by being selected for a Texas All-State Band or Choir. These elite students will travel to San Antonio in February to represent BISD as they perform in the All-State Band or Choir at the Texas Music Educators Association convention.

BISD’s 2014 All-State Band members are:

Haltom High
Audrey Calcote, French horn
Moises Correa, clarinet
Skyler Hill, clarinet
Jessica Lilley, E-flat clarinet
Shane Traylor, trumpet
Jerry Turner, jazz trombone

Richland High
Drake Amador, baritone saxophone
Megan Barnhart, flute
Patrick Byars, jazz trumpet
Daniel Christiansen, trumpet
Jonathan Duer, tenor trombone
Haley Hoffman, English horn
Cody Reynolds, bassoon
Taylor Wyatt, French horn

 

BISD’s 2014 All-State Choir members are:

Haltom High
Richie Del Christo, tenor 1

Richland High
Matt Garner, tenor 2
Sean Kelly, bass 1
Eunique Thomas-Belmonte, alto 2

Birdville High
Grace Hughes, soprano 1
Hannah Malkey, alto 1
Ashley Rose, soprano 2

I am proud of these students for their accomplishments, and I can promise you, they represent just the tip of the iceberg of the gifted students all across BISD.

Dr. Darrell G. Brown
Birdville ISD Superintendent of Schools