Lancaster ISD Trustees vote to reinstate demoted social studies coordinator

estherspeaks, says:

Finally, the district has corrected a major mistake. Mr. Moore has dedicated his life to the kids and district of Lancaster for 20 years and this is how Dr. Lewis rewarded him. The social studies TAKS scores have been the best throughout the district and what does Lewis do-he demotes him and leaves the coordinators with the worse scores in place. What is wrong with this picture? It seems the better you do your job in Lancaster-the better chance of harmful repercussions.

Thankfully the Board righted this wrong.

disgusted, says:

Hi

I would like to provide you with factual information. All the coordinators in Lancaster have the worst scores in the area. If you were to do a regional lookup of the scores for social studies you would see that Lancaster scores are far below the state and regional average. Last year 8th grade students made a 44% in Social Studies which was way below the state average.

I do agree with you that the board did right to reinstate him. No matter who you bring in as coordinators the scores in Lancaster will remain low because the parents and students have not buy into the school district vision.

The kids are out of control and they are not held accountable for their actions. This is why the turnover rate is so high in the district because kids are allow to get away with anything.

markmoore56, says:

Dear digusted, the truth is that exit level Social Studies scores in 2006 were one percent below the state average. When compared to exit level LISD scores in English 10 per cent below, math 22 per cent below and science 31 per cent below, Social Studies did well... As for the 44% in 8th grade that is true,,,but you failed to mention that the 8th grade teachers raised that % to 67% in 2007 with a more difficult set of criteria. I am not for a second suggesting that Social Studies can not be improved , but I wanted to set the record straight. I do thank you for agreeing that I should be reinstated. I have always wanted what's best for the students of the LISD.. Thank you for your interest and involvement. Sincerely Yours, Mark Moore

disgusted, says:

According to the Dallas Morning News the 2007 TAKS passing rate for the 8th grade Lancaster students in Social Studies is 68%. This is the lowest score for 8th grade Social Studies in Dallas county. Dallas has 79% passing rate for 8th grade Social Studies. 84% of the student population in Dallas is poor while in Lancaster 65% of the student population is considered poor. Irving which 72% of the student population is poor also did better on the 8th grade Social Studies TAKS test. They had 88% passing rate. In 11th grade Social Studies score was the lowest as well.According to school improvement research schools with high concentration of poor students are suppose do the worst on standardized test.

I know that the teachers in Lancaster are working hard to bring about positive change but obviously there is still much work that need to be done. I know that you are doing it alone and you do not have specialists and coaches like Reading and Math. Since Social Studies is not considered high priority.

markmoore56, says:

Dear disgusted, I agree much more needs to be done. Thank you for your interest and concern. needs to be done. I just wanted to compare Social Studies with other academic areas in Lancaster as it relates to the state average. I have no quarrel with you. As we both know statistics can be presented in such a way as to support any point of view.. If you would like to meet and discuss data, I would be happy to expain what has and has not been accomplished. I am completely transparent here. Again thanks for your input... Mark