Reprint from the Progress Times - December 14, 2007
©Progress Times 2007 - All Rights Reserved

LJISD offers options for students who fail to graduate

 

By Enrique Reynoso

In a special called meeting, December 10, the La Joya Independent School District (LJISD) board of trustees approved a measure that would admit students who are between the ages of 18 and 21.

The measure takes advantage of House Bill 1337l, which is meant to assist students in earning a high school diploma. Now, students between the ages of 18-21 who were unable to graduate will have the option to take online courses or attend specially devised classes to help them retake or take whatever class they were deficient in.

Assistant Superintendent for Human Resources and Student Services Antonio Uresti said that prior to the bill’s passing, this option was not available to school districts.

"South Texas and much of the nation has about 40-50 percent of our students not completing high school or earning their diploma," Uresti said. "This bill’s intent is to increase graduation rates and decrease drop-out rates."

According to Uresti, Mission has adopted the bill and has various after-school and online programs that assist students with graduating. Uresti said that last year the district had 419 students who did not graduate because they failed one course or did not pass sections of the TAKS.

"What we have is 419 students out in our community who have no other option," said Uresti. "We know from research that the more education an individual has, the more they learn. We’re in the business of education.

Board member Joe Aguilar expressed concerns about mixing older students with the younger high school students. Board member Joel Garza also questioned the wisdom of intermingling.

"The only problem I have is with having a 25 year-old and a 16 year-old in the same building," Garza said. "I agree that we’re in the business of education, but we should look at other options.

Uresti said that part of the bill states that the students who would qualify for the program and have not been enrolled for three years are not allowed to be placed with students 18 and younger.

"We would not promote that idea," said Uresti. "Nor will the House Bill allow it."

After approving the measure, board member Esperanza "Espie" Ochoa commended the board for approving the measure.

"I was thinking about the slow-learners and how the state modifies and accommodates them and gives them opportunities," said Ochoa. "So in a sense, everyone is getting a fair chance."

The board also approved funding for E-Rate telecommunications, Internet service and maintenance projects. Presenter Ruben Trevino said that the district had received an email from the state saying that they had been awarded $3.2 million to go toward the projects. The estimated cost to the district this year would be $194,934.33.

"Essentially these are grants and discounts from the government that we have received to utilize and to develop our network," Trevino said. "What we’re getting is a 90 percent discount on various services."

Trevino also said that he was expecting more money from the government that would vary depending on the status of the schools currently being constructed.

"If the district does not complete a school for example, we’d have to give the money back," said Trevino. "As we use the money and have to send some of it back, the numbers go down. That’s why you see a difference in the numbers."

The board later officially announced the name for High School number 2 located at 3-mile line and Bentsen Palm Drive. La Joya Palmview High School was chosen as the official name for the forthcoming school.