CISD on road to improvement at CHS

Editor's note: This is the third in a series focusing on Commerce High School's unacceptable rating by the TEA.

With Commerce High School being rated unacceptable recently, some changes in the curriculum are being implemented in order to correct problematic areas.

"One thing I want to emphasize is that this is an issue that belongs to everybody. This isn't just a district problem. This is a community problem and the University, we own this problem as well, and we have to be part of the solution," Dr. Dan Jones, president of Texas A&M University-Commerce said.

Wyman Williams, owner of Williams Motors in Commerce and community leader, has shared several conversations about this issue with Jones.

According to Jones, the community has helped bring in "Communities In Schools," in which Williams was instrumental in initiating.

According to their Web site, "Communities In Schools" is the nation's largest dropout prevention organization.

"Our college of Education has met with this group, so this is part of the solution as well," Jones said. "It's basically everybody working together to provide additional resources that will help prevent dropouts and help students be successful."

When asked about a creation of a committee to address the issue, Donna Tavener, director of educator preparation at A & M-Commerce and a member of the CISD School Board said, "The committee you were referring to is a TEA mandate for schools who have been rated 'unacceptable'. It is referred to as the CIT (Campus Intervention Team). TEA requires at least two members and our members are (internal member) Danna Meyers, CISD curriculum director and (external member) Knel Gandy with Caddo Mills ISD whose background is mathematics. Mathematics is the area of focus."

According to Tavener, the former CHS principal took a position at McKinney, so Verdie Montgomery was hired.

So far, reports on the new principal are positive.

"He has the kids believing in themselves and it's a whole new atmosphere in the high school," Tavener said.

Montgomery is planning on having Monday night tutoring for the kids and Tavener is planning on being a part of that.

"I really think he has things in place and you're not going to see Commerce High School unacceptable a second year in a row. I don't think that's going to happen," Tavener said.

According to Tavener, benchmark testing will be conducted to identify the areas that are improving, and those that still need work. Commerce ISD started the local "Communities in Schools" program through a grant.

"We have two social workers in the schools who are actually 'Communities In Schools' directors. They help if a kid needs glasses, or if a kid needs to go to the doctor. Those services are available," Tavener said. "They are asking for volunteers from the community to come into the schools and volunteer as a tutor. They are asking for tutors to give an hour a week."

According to Tavener the most important part of this program is going to be the community involvement with the mentoring because many kids do not have a mentor.

"I know that Dr. Mangus, our dean of education is promoting the 'Communities in Schools,' because in the College of Ed., we place lots of our students into the public schools for student teaching or observation. CISD is a really huge partnership for the College of Ed., so I think it could certainly help bridge that gap," Tavener said.

According to Tavener, there is a disconnect between the University and the community of Commerce, which can be bridged with some involvement from both parties. College students could offer to tutor and mentor the high school students, which may have a direct impact on test scores.

"We have a new curriculum and last year was the first year of full implementation. This curriculum is supposed to eliminate any holes in the curriculum," Tavener said.

Dr. Ray Green, director of honors program at A&M-Commerce said, "Before the unacceptable rating occurred, I had met with Dr. Mangus to talk about some volunteer opportunities for ways to bring the university closer to the rest of t he community. In essence, the University is a tremendous resource for the community which hasn't been fully implemented and no one is at fault for that."

Mangus is also working with the 'Community In Schools' program.

"This program partners with the school district to put a lot of the teacher education students in the schools as tutors and mentors, so that, hopefully, we can help enrich the environment in the schools," Mangus said.

The program is gaining steam. An orientation recently took place and university students are beginning to be placed in the schools as mentors and tutors. Some students are getting class credit for their work, but others are volunteering for the district. Several university faculty are also getting involved in the program.

"We also promoted the program in the Honors College and with the student athletes. We felt that as the college of education, it was our responsibility to make sure that the education in our city is of a high quality," Mangus said. "We're trying to set the example and allow them to step in. The Honors College has been extremely active."