What is really wrong with other school districts other than Katy ISD? (Spring: foreclosed, rent)

[Vicman]

That is incorrect. We are not "flooded with the children of illegal immigrants." We do fine with our children of illegals. I repeat, illegals are not a problem for us.

Even then only certain schools have high percentages of people from low income communities which have a lot of illegal immigrants.

Originally Posted by agrissett

A lot of the schools in Houston have been flooded with the children of illegal immigrants. That's the problem right there. Before someone flames me, I don't have a problem with legal immigrants who play by the rules - just the illegal ones who don't pay taxes, get free education for their children, and get free health care.

[agrissett]

Originally Posted by lame_excuse

What makes you think the schools are flooded with children of illegal immigrants?

Go here: District AEIS Multi-Year History Report

1. Select 1994-2002, select District Name, and enter "Houston ISD."
2. Then look under the Campus Student Composition at the Hispanic percentage in 1994. It is 49.1%.
3. Do the same search for 2003-2009, and you'll see that in 2009 the campus student composition for Hispanics is 61.1%.

This is a 12% increase in the Hispanic population over 16 years. We're talking about an increase of tens of thousands of Hispanic students - and that's just for this 16 year period. The eighties probably experienced a similar rate of growth.

Now, to be fair, I have no way of knowing what percentage of that growth is due to illegal immigration, but do you honestly think that this increase could be explained by legal immigration alone?

[Vicman]

Hispanic =/ Illegal immigrants

agrissett, school districts do not take data on whether students are illegal or not or whether the parents are illegal or not.

Certain parts of town are known for having illegal immigrants, but beyond that there is no way to measure the impact of illegal immigrants in the area.

There was a period from the late 1980s to the late 1990s when some schools were overwhelmed with an influx of students from immigrant families, but now HISD's overall population is decreasing.

Originally Posted by agrissett

Go here: District AEIS Multi-Year History Report

1. Select 1994-2002, select District Name, and enter "Houston ISD."
2. Then look under the Campus Student Composition at the Hispanic percentage in 1994. It is 49.1%.
3. Do the same search for 2003-2009, and you'll see that in 2009 the campus student composition for Hispanics is 61.1%.

This is a 12% increase in the Hispanic population over 16 years. We're talking about an increase of tens of thousands of Hispanic students - and that's just for this 16 year period. The eighties probably experienced a similar rate of growth.

Now, to be fair, I have no way of knowing what percentage of that growth is due to illegal immigration, but do you honestly think that this increase could be explained by legal immigration alone?

[agrissett]

Originally Posted by Vicman

Hispanic =/ Illegal immigrants

[...]school districts do not take data on whether students are illegal or not or whether the parents are illegal or not.

You're absolutely right: Hispanic =/ Illegal immigrants. I'm not saying that. I'm saying that there is something awry with that data.

Why do you think the percentage of Hispanics in a 200,000 student district increased by 12% over 16 years?

A. Natural population growth
B. Legal immigration
C. Illegal immigration
D. All the above.

It's one of the answers above. There are no other possibilities. I'm just saying that 12% over 16 years doesn't look like natural population growth or legal immigration alone to me.

[houstonfan]

Originally Posted by hsw

Judge colleges by jobs and pay of recent grads (as apparently judged by major employers)

Judge any HS by % of kids entering leading colleges (as one defines 'em)

Suspect much of any kid's accomplishments is product of DNA/values from parents and what they learn at family dinner table by age 10 or so; schools are a side-show for any ambitious kid

But would be concerned about any schools with elements of socio-economics at higher risk of violence or of imposing their economically/intellectually stagnant values upon any kids who seek upward mobility

Would be doubtful about many stereotypical claims re: which ethnic groups are higher achievers: can find plenty of public schools in suburban CA and NYC with loser Asian kids, w/parents who are uneducated economic underachievers and often illegal immigrants engaged in businesses of dubious legality...and kids on a similar path...

I SO agree with a lot of above! I find topics of education and child development very interesting. IMO, all the fuss about school district is over the top in Houston, but I can understand that b/c parents naturally want the best.
Just to offer some different perspectives -no answers, just more confusion to the mix. I grew up attending public schools where always a mix of Soc Ec Stat. My sib and I were among the poorer ones. My parents were both working to keep family comfortable so they didn't spend as much time with us as they wanted to, never attended parent teachers interview (they would have if we were doing poorly). But my parents HIGHLY prioritized our happiness and education and values so they raised us well. We both ranked top 1 and 2 in HS as well as in undergrad at two top tier universities (so it's not like our HS sucked, lol), I was on several scholarships in undergrad, we're both professionals now. And I personally know of several other people with similar stories so it's not like we're exceptional. My point, as above poster said, is that it's parent's support and discipline more than any school that will make your child do well. I also think having good people for friends is very important because teenagers often submit easily to peer pressure. Ofcourse great teachers is important.

B.t.w, I used to tutor the rich kids while in school and typically, parents just throw a tonne of money at me and expect their kids to do well, that was their answer to bad grades (PTA meetings+tutoring+grounding+rewards system). Meanwhile, i'm trying to tutor their kids and the kids want me to gossip or play games with them, anything to distract from the lesson. I gave up one job after a few sessions, secretly confiding to the parents to save their money b/c she's not motivated and I can't help her until they motivate her.

Two things I liked about public school. 1.) I got to see a spectrum of people, diversity enriched my life. I'm glad I don't just know one type of family. 2.) I was not spoon fed anything, I had to learn independently and not depend on having great teachers all the time (My friend teaches at a private school where the mantra was "the parents are always right, -make them happy") Fortunately, my schools had some really great teachers so that definitely was a huge factor, not saying that you can do without good teachers.

In houston, there are some really BAD schools and I would recommend staying away. But amongst the recognized and examplary, like Hsw said, judge by how colleges perceive them, and also type of curriculum (AP, IB) and extracurricular activity, etc, to match for your childs needs. Look at indivual schools rather than districts. But here's a twist, the more reputed the school is, the harder it is for your child to get to the college of choice b/c many top universities look for top 10% of their HS. Also, sadly, resale value of homes is often closely tied in with school district so that may be a consideration for you.

Based on my childhood, I was a huge proponent of public school vs private ones (Some of the wildest most dysfuntional kids I know came from private same sex schools). However, then came along TAKS test and now I would consider private schools, coEd ones, non-religious and more liberal ones. My problem with public schools is that most are teaching kids how to pass that stupid TAKS test b/c teachers' salaries are tied in to their kids' performances, so IMO, all the ISD's SUCK!

My suggestion Michelle, is to list what you want your kids to get out of their education. Ie, Is it ability to solve problems and think independently? ability to get in top colleges? safety? what kind of other peers you want them exposed to? extracurricular activities? language programs? APs/IBs, religious considerations? etc. And go from there. Most parents think private schools are only for really rich people, but if I was set on private schools and not rich, I would rather live in a cheaper house or condo, save the difference in the mortgage and tax to put the kid in private school.

As promised, no answers, just more confusion added to the mix.

[EEstudent]

to answer your question...

nothing is wrong with other schools outside of Katy ISD,

people just perceive Katy ISD or nothing type mentality that you have been told.

Although I will say that Katy HS has an AMAZING Football program.

I graduated from Clements in 07... I have friends that are in Ivy league schools and some that started working and going to HCC, it's whatever outcome your child makes for himself/herself. Schools are only there to help you achieve goals not to achieve them for you.

But I will say this Clements high school was not a typical high school experience, honestly, I would have much rather gone to a different school than Clements, not that I hate it,but the students there miss out on alot of what makes HS experience special

[DANNYY]

Originally Posted by Michele164

We are soon moving to Houston and we are confused on where to live. We have two kids in school. I know everyone says Katy is the best school district around but no one ever complains that the other ones around Katy are bad. So what is wrong with Lamar and/or Fort Bend Isd? People are buying expensive homes in these areas so are the schools really that horrible? I would actually like peoples thoughts on this issue who have kids attend "other" districts besides Katy. I have done the research on all the districts. If you look at the best schools within the districts the test scores are not all that different from one another. So what is the difference? If you do not want to post please send me a private email. ( We are looking at homes in Lakemont, Lakes of Bella Terra, Westheimer lakes, New Territory and yes of course Katy).

I graduated from Clements High School in Sugar Land, Texas just 2 years ago, and as far as I know, it's academic standings were a lot higher than any school in Katy.

[usc619]

Originally Posted by Vicman

That is incorrect. We are not "flooded with the children of illegal immigrants." We do fine with our children of illegals. I repeat, illegals are not a problem for us.

Even then only certain schools have high percentages of people from low income communities which have a lot of illegal immigrants.

lol HISD has 1257 bilingual Teachers on the payroll and I didn't even count the bilingual specialist (we're talking about another 2k )
Tchr, Bilingual Salaries | Government Employee Salaries | The Texas Tribune

Don't know about you but I would consider that a problem.......someone has to pay that tax bill

[usc619]

Originally Posted by matthou

LOL the thread title really makes me wonder what is wrong with the person who believes it.

I can name one who posted right on this thread

[NickBour]

Originally Posted by usc619

lol HISD has 1257 bilingual Teachers on the payroll and I didn't even count the bilingual specialist (we're talking about another 2k )
Tchr, Bilingual Salaries | Government Employee Salaries | The Texas Tribune

Don't know about you but I would consider that a problem.......someone has to pay that tax bill

The only taxes in Texas are property taxes and sales taxes. Any "illegal" immigrants must live somewhere (and thus either they or their landlord pays property taxes) and must buy stuff (so they pay sales taxes). It would thus seem that they are as entitled to the services paid for by those tax dollars as you are.