YISD Rethinks Controversial Grant
By Zahira Torres, El Paso Times, Texas
Jul. 27–EL PASO — Ysleta Independent School District trustees are reconsidering approving a grant that stimulated controversy throughout the state earlier this year.
Trustees, who said they did not receive enough information on the program when it was first presented at a board meeting several months ago, voted against accepting the performance-based grant that would bring about $3 million to the district.
Last year, the Legislature agreed to fund the nearly $148 million District Awards for Teacher Excellence, or DATE, program to help schools reward teachers for improving student achievement.
The grant’s 15 percent local match requirement drew concerns from educators and lawmakers such as El Paso Sen. Eliot Shapleigh, who said it punished property-poor school districts.
“We are considering it,” Board President Carmen Munoz said after hearing a presentation earlier this month. “We feel better about it and we are still reviewing the budget, so we have to take a look at everything but we are a little more comfortable with it.”
After about a third of the state’s 1,039 school districts agreed to participate in the program, the Texas Education Agency began a campaign to clarify that the stipulation for matching money would allow districts to use an in-kind contribution.
The in kind-contribution would allow the district to point to funding already being used for similar efforts instead of actually using district money to get the grant.
The Socorro Independent School District
did not pursue the grant, while the El Paso ISD decided to accept the conditions of the program.
Ysleta administrators said they were wary of the matching requirement for the grant early on, but after working with the Texas Education Agency they chose to move forward and request that the board consider the funding.
Sixteen Ysleta campuses were selected to receive the state grant, officials said.
If the district chooses to apply for the grant, about 78 percent of the money will be awarded to teachers who show through measurable data such as benchmarks that they have had a positive impact on the academic improvement of students.
The one-year grant would give teachers who meet the criteria at least $1,000. An additional $500 would be awarded to teachers whose students showed improved skills in the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills.
About 17 percent of the money would be used to pay administrators, counselors and librarians a $1,000 stipend.
The remaining 5 percent will fund administrative costs.
Zahira Torres may be reached at ztorres@elpasotimes.com; 546-6156.
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