Poor reading skills holding Cedar Hill students back

by Brian Allen of TODAY Newspapers

At the end of the 06-07 school year, Cedar Hill ISD had 150 freshmen that had not completed the six credits necessary to advance to the high school. During the Sept. 10 Board of Trustees meeting, Assistant Superintendent Kim Lewis said that number dropped to 38 after summer school. Now the district has only five students that were sent back to the ninth grade.

“Those five should be able to move to the 10th grade at semester break,” Lewis said.

Some of the trustees wondered if there were gaps in the curriculum that accounted for these problems.

Superintendent Horace Williams said students performing well under grade level usually do so because of difficulty reading. Without that basic skill, Williams said they would struggle in every subject from English to even math, which uses word problems.

“It doesn't matter what curriculum we offer them if they cannot read,” he said.

The debate about Cedar Hill's curriculum went all the way from those struggling to read to those in gifted and talented courses.

From the sounds of discussion at this meeting, that program is in line for a huge overhaul.

“It was not a program that I would put my child into,” Williams said. “And I say that with all respect to the parents that have put their children into the program.”

He added that the district is already taking steps to revise the program, and that G/T teachers will have an opportunity to receive 30 hours of training from Region 10 at no cost to CHISD.

Williams has thrown down a gauntlet, proclaiming that Cedar Hill will become a recognized school district. That would mean every campus in the district has the recognized designation from the Texas Education Agency.

Cedar Hill High School Principal Harry Miller, before giving a presentation on how he plans to get the high school to that point, talked about his initial reaction.

Miller said when Williams first made that promise; Miller wondered if the new superintendent fully comprehended what he was saying.

He noted that Williams has continued saying it not just to teachers and administrators, but also to the citizens of Cedar Hill. That, in Miller's mind, has removed any doubt that he means it.

Miller likened the challenge to the one Coach Joey McGuire undertook when he first became Cedar Hill's head football coach and led them to the state championship.

“I think Joey and his coaches may have been the only guys in the state that thought this could happen,” Miller said.

He's aware Cedar Hill teachers and administrators may be the only ones who think Williams' bold proclamation can happen.

The principal outlined a plan that included everything from reading comprehension to safety and discipline at the school.

He also talked about teacher retention and recruitment, noting that having the best teachers generates the best students.

Trustee Valerie Banks said she believes the high school is on the right track, and was especially complimentary of the character education program.

“I'm really proud to say I think that's working,” she said.

Miller believes the same.

“We're not perfect, but we're working toward it,” he said.