More Clarity on Mandate
Last Thursday during the Elementary Zoning meeting at McMath MS a question about demagraphics was asked and I like a lot of people assumed that there is a Federal Mandate to balance out the schools. When asked if this was not so Mr. Galloway referred us to Dr. Rutherford who stated that there is a Denton ISD Mandate but there is no longer a Federal Mandate. I made a point of asking Dr. Rutherford again after the meeting and he said a Federal Mandate no longer exists but if there is a complaint then the courts and or civil liberties people may get involved. Supposedly there was a complaint previously concerning Tomas Rivera, consequently there are no Transfers into or out of Rivera. One of many thoughts I've had this past week is why the free and reduced numbers for next year are so unbalanced especially since making this fair for all children is a DISD Mandate. Why will the numbers be so much higher at DHS and RHS. I don't believe this is in the best interest of the student population or the community as a whole.
Toni McCartney.
posted by Buster Brown at 6:17 AM
1 Comments:
I have found some information on the TEA (Texas Education Agency - http://www.tea.state.tx.us) regarding student assignment based on race. I have not found anything (yet) regarding percentages for free/reduced lunch programs.
From what I understand (and I'm definitely not a lawyer), Civil Order 5281 from 1971 says many things, including the following:
"Student assignment. Districts cannot make assignments of students to schools, classrooms, or other school activities on the basis of race, color, or national origin. TEA annually reviews schools enrolling
more than 66% minority students."
I haven't found out if there are "consequences". I think that the TEA does a review just to insure things are appropriate. In some cases I've read, it's certainly appropriate to have more than 66% minority students. For example, I read about an El Paso school district that has 99% minority. This particular school was being praised highly because it earned TEA's "exemplary" rating.
Other interesting statistics I've learned in this very educational process:
1. Free lunches are a "national" program, which is available to families earning 130% of the poverty or less, which equates to just under $24,000.
2. Reduced lunches are available to those earning between 130 and 185% of poverty level, which equates to roughly $34,000
3. The median income level of families in Texas is approximately $38,000.
4. The median income level of families in Denton COUNTY is $58,000.
These additional statistics are not meant to imply anything -- I'm only putting them here because:
1. I thought they were interesting
2. I thought you might consider them interesting as well.
--Bret
November 18, 2004 8:21 AM
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