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Saturday, June 6, 2009

Mixed feelings through DISD over news that Hinojosa’s son aided by program for disadvantaged students

by PegNews wire

DISD superintendent Michael Hinojosa and his family are by no means disadvantaged and that distinction has some people questioning why his son received aid from a school program intended for such students.

The Academic Success Program (ASP), which uses federal Title 1 funds, helps first generation and otherwise disadvantaged students achieve academic success and get into Ivy League universities. In operation at 12 DISD campuses, Hinojosa's son, also named Michael, attended one of the high schools and was admitted into the program. The valedictorian of his class and admitted into Harvard, some in the linked WFAA article thought his inclusion was something he deserved and was good for the other students involved.

The sticking point is whether his inclusion meant another student who met the criteria and was kept out. Also, the program requires not only student, but parent participation at a number of meetings, or the student can be kicked out of the program. There is speculation over whether Mr. or Mrs. Hinojosa actually participated on the scale they were required.

Posted by Erin

Staff
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Anonymous

Jason Rice, says:

::first generation and otherwise disadvantaged students

Mixed feelings?

As in "ranging from incredulous to outraged"?

What a farce. Man, if it's THAT easy, I'm changing my name to Rios. Screw this "playing by the rules" crap.

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6 months ago
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Travis Bush, says:

Maybe his son is just as retarded as he is?

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6 months ago
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jl66, says:

This is a sad attempt by the DMN to go after a good kid. Michael Hinojosa was ASKED to be part of ASP to help other students. He worked to inspire and encourage them, lead SAT camps and tutorials and lead by example. He's a role-model, a leader, and a great DISD scholar. That he decided to be part of a program like this is admirable. We need more kids like this.

Finally, he didn't take anyone's spot, Hillcrest has 33 seniors in ASP, and most ASP's have roughly 20 seniors.

Something good happens for DISD and we still must focus on the negative. Hundreds of kids are going to great schools this year receiving millions of dollars worth of scholarships and we focus on ONE student in the program.

The DMN decided not to positively cover this, but at least some news did:

http://cbs11tv.com/video/?id=41848@kt...

http://www.myfoxdfw.com/dpp/news/educ...

Big thing is DISD kids are getting scholarships and going to great schools:

http://www.asp-prep.com/results1.html

Anonymous

6 months ago
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Jason Rice, says:

::first generation and otherwise disadvantaged students

::Title 1 funds

I'm finding it IMPOSSIBLE to get over this.

Don't go screaming "witch hunt" when we're talking about the biggest cadre of nepotists in the southwest. So a company hired by - Oh let's say the District - selects the son of say - oh someone that hired them -.....

Do I have to even finish this?

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6 months ago
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jl66, says:

Micheal Hinojosa (the younger one) has responded.

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedconte...

Anonymous

6 months ago
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Travis Bush, says:

Jason..maybe Hinajoser wanted to show all those underage kids what the other side looked like..and yeah I agree with you..if the program if for the underprivileged, then young Hinojosa could have some of that work on the side, which would have opened up a space for someone other student, who prob ably needed it. Needed it a lot more than some feel good PR opportunity for a failed DISD leader.

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6 months ago
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Jason Rice, says:

All I can say is that if "caucasian" showed up in any of the criteria, heads would already have rolled.

How do you justify THAT MUCH MONEY for that few students? Seriously. If so few were legitimately selected.... so much so that a kid that CAN OBVIOUSLY afford it and OBVIOUSLY isn't first generation gets selected.... what costs so much?

Obviously, I'm no Ivy League mind here, but I do have basic arithmetic pretty nailed down.