Comments by Bill Betzen
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Posted on September 5, 2009 at 9:21 p.m.
This is certainly an honorable effort to help lower our DISD dropout rates. It is starting at a very appropriate school, Jefferson High School. Only two other high schools in Dallas ISD have a lower percentage of the original 9th grade class who made it to the 12th grade for the 2008-2009 school year. Those schools are Hillcrest and Bryan Adams. The 6 non-magnet North Dallas DISD high schools have all fallen significantly in their "promotion rate" (the percentage of 9th graders making to the 12th grade) over the past 5 years till they now have the lowest such rates in DISD.
As a city we must more closely watch the enrollment patterns for our high schools. Those patterns should be on the DISD web site but such transparency is apparently not a high priority. The enrollment patterns by grade since 1999-2000 are now online at http://www.studentmotivation.org/dall... .
Hopefully the day will come when the progress now happening in Oak Cliff will happen in all sections of Dallas. The 9 DISD non-magnet high schools in Oak now have promotion rates that are 11 percentage points higher than those same rates for the 6 North Dallas high schools. Since 2002 the promotion rates for these 9 Oak Cliff schools have risen a total of 13 percentage points, from being the worst in DISD to now being well above all other areas of Dallas. That progress will continue as we are helping our students focus onto their own futures. Such a focus leads to work. Work leads to graduation. Look at the graph at http://www.studentmotivation.org/dall... . It will be handed out with pride at the 106 year celebration of the birthday for Oak Cliff on September 19th. We have much to celebrate in Oak Cliff in addition to having the only three non-magnet high schools in DISD that received the Recognized status from the Texas Education Agency: Sunset, Adamson and Molina.
On Dallas officials to visit homes of potential dropouts on Saturday and encourage them to go to school
Posted on June 24, 2009 at 6:21 p.m.
Mike, that source for Moody is one the Archivist mentioned but he could find no related documentation. There was also an evangelist during that time in history who was very popular and he thought that was a greater possible source for the name. But again there is no documentation.
On Here we go again: Dallas considering renaming Young Street for Cesar Chavez
Posted on June 24, 2009 at 5:27 p.m.
Part of Pearl going through Farmers Market is already named after Cesar Chavez. We just need to finish that process and rename all contiguous parts of Pearl going north, along with the two blocks of Moody. There are no records for the source of either of these street names, either Pearl nor Moody. Thus no pioneers name would be lost or moved such as Young who is well documented in Dallas History.
By renaming most of Pearl the heart of the former Little Mexico would be connected with Farmers Market and pass the Cathedral of Guadalupe in the process. Cesar Chavez had a special devotion to our Lady of Gaudalupe.
On Here we go again: Dallas considering renaming Young Street for Cesar Chavez
Posted on June 8, 2009 at 10:19 p.m.
Cindy is demonstrating for many reasons. The ones I see are that, the sad reality is, we are not one bit safer due to thousands of US lives lost in Iraq and tens of thousands of our wounded men and women. This war was a recruitment bonanza for terrorists. Our honorable men and women of the US military have been abused. They did NOT die without cause as they were doing what they were trained to do, follow orders! They deserve much better treatment than they are now getting as veterans. Our politicians must accept responsibility for the mistakes they made and the information they allegedly "chose" to believe.
Cindy Sheehan has every right to express her opinion about the truths behind the Iraq war injustices. She is not alone! A majority of this nation is on her side about the futility of this created war. Our sons and daughters should never be sent into another war for such fabricated reasons! Their lives are worth much more than that. Our nations reputation is much more valuable than that. The truth of what happened must be investigated and former President Bush must live with ultimate consequences for his actions.
On Anti-war activist Cindy Sheehan protesting outside George Bush's Dallas home Monday afternoon
Posted on September 18, 2008 at 11:10 p.m.
Scott Doyle? Are you the same Scott who has been on this blog?
The Historical Marker has always been part of the renaming of Ross Avenue to honor Cesar Chavez. I've mentioned it often. It is a both/and proposal. We would educate the public from this day forward about the history of the Ross brothers and also expose people to one of the greatest Hispanic leaders of the 20th century, as well as the hispanic history in Dallas the Cesar Chavez Avenue name would represent.
It is almost impossible to visit with any random group of Hispanics and not find some who have ancestors, relatives, or who themselves benefited from the work of Cesar Chavez.
Now, IF Industrial is renamed as Cesar Chavez Blvd then the Cesar Chavez Task Force agreement to pay for the Historical Marker is not needed. I personally would still like to see the Ross brothers history honored by a Historical Marker after seeing how few knew about them. Why would you not join with us to have them remembered with your own $100? Were you honest about your devotion to Ross history?
Posted on September 18, 2008 at 10:59 p.m.
Todd, I still strongly believe that Ross is far superior to Industrial for many reasons, most of which we have talked about online for some time. However, if you look back online, you can see that I was fighting for Industrial some time back. Look at the bottom of the web pages at www.studentmotivation.org/CesarChavezAve . Industrial is where this started. Study that photo. This process can also end with Industrial if it is in fact permanently renamed, as was perceived as having been promised some months ago, in honor of Cesar Chavez.
All of our online statements about Ross being the only alternative were made with the understanding that Industrial was off the table. (I certainly never understood why.)
Knowing what I know now I would have worked hard to never place Industrial into consideration. I would have worked only for Ross Ave. However, we have history. I did in fact support Industrial and will go with that if it happens. If it does not, then Ross is the only alternative. It may even take a few years depending on what happens this next month. The process will help education about Cesar Chavez to happen, maybe marches, many debates. I think debates may involve empty chairs as I perceive that many against the Cesar Chavez renaming of Ross would not want to engage in a fact checked debate on the issues we have only touched on in this blog.
The process could be fascinating for the large majority of Dallas citizens as a pride in their heritage grows and their ability to use the methods of Cesar Chavez are developed. Our children could only benefit.
The next 4 weeks will be very interesting, with potential extremes of emotion, and a true test of Dallas. I have increasing confidence it will be peaceful. I was not so confident at noon today.
Posted on September 18, 2008 at 10:34 p.m.
Jason, sounds great. If we can get about 20 others to join with us it will be enough. According to information online the application is $100 plus the $1,600 cost of the marker (according to http://www.reporternews.com/news/2008....) I'm told the West End Merchants were supportive and may also join in. It would make their area more "historical" and add to the charm.
First we need to get Industrial boulevard renamed in honor of Cesar Chavez. Are you willing to help? Can you join us at the Council meeting Wednesday and then the Planning Committee meeting the next day? Do you know some of the "Save Ross" folks who could join us?
Posted on September 18, 2008 at 9:02 p.m.
Today has been a truly confusing day. It appears it is possible Industrial Blvd will be renamed Cesar Chavez Blvd. While Ross would for many reasons be a much better choice, Industrial was actually the first street chosen until others were offered for consideration. If that happens, and therefore Ross Avenue remains as Ross Avenue, I would be incredibly puzzled if those on this list and elsewhere supporting the "Save Ross" efforts would not want to still establish a historical marker in the West End to honor the lives of the Ross Brothers.
Once Industrial Boulevard is finally named in honor of Cesar Chavez I would be honored to join with others and make my own $100.00 donation toward such a historical marker. The Ross Brothers should never again sink into the anonymity they suffered from 6 months ago.
Would any Save Ross people, or others on this list who spoke out to 'save Ross,' want to join in with me if this happens? We should not forget our cities history!
Posted on September 17, 2008 at 8:32 p.m.
Don't have to.
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Posted on September 21, 2009 at 6:55 p.m.
While the photographer was out at Macon Elementary did they happen to see the 500 pound vault bolted to the floor in the school lobby? Macon is also actively encouraging their students to plan for their own futures with a time-capsule to hold their plans for the future. The goal is to have students return at a future date to retrieve their letters from this 500 pound vault, have a class reunion, and then share with then current Macon students their recommendations for success based on experiences from their years immediately after Macon Elementary. They will be the experts!
You never go wrong by focusing students onto their own futures.
Macon Elementary is on the cutting edge of the projects needed to help our students excel!
Keep up the great work Macon Elementary!
On Photo gallery: Macon Elementary in Dallas debuts their "People's Garden"