Fact or Fiction

 

Submit your question to factorfiction@ndisd.org and we'll post a response below.

Question:  What will the new primary school be called?
Answer:  The new campus will be named Robert F. Hunt Elementary, and the existing campus will be called New Diana Intermediate as it will house 4th, 5th, and 6th grades.  As we grow, the 4th and 5th grades will be added to the Robert F. Hunt campus.  It will then house all elementary grades.  We intend to add a play gym to the new campus as soon as possible.  I will post and updated facilities plan to our website showing more detail by next week.  Thank you for your question.

Question:  A question was asked regarding the current status of an employee, and what may happen with that particular employee.
Answer:  I do not send personal information about an employee out to the public.  If one needs to know personal information of the intentions of an employee, the request should be directed to that particular employee.  The employee would be the first source regarding themselves and will answer if they want others to know.

Question:  How would a 6th grade child get into G.T. (gifted and talented)?
Answer:  A child must be nominated for evaluation for GT.  Nominations can come from anyone with knowledge of the student, including teachers, parents, relatives, school employees, caregivers, etc.  In grades 9-12 a student can self-nominate.  Nominations are submitted to the campus counselor who then begins the process of gathering information about the student, getting parental permission to test and doing a series of tests.  After testing is finished, a committee of people will determine if the child meets the district's criteria for GT.  Parents or self-nominating students are informed of the committee's decision.  If the decision is that the student is gifted and/or talented, permission is sought to place the student in the appropriate program.

Question:  I see lots of questions about the AD and coaches.  But since this is after all a school - here is an academic question.  My kids are concerned about the high standard of science teachers that will be potentially lost and who will be teaching the AP level science classes they were planning on taking.  Is the new AD bringing in coaches whose only focus is coaching - or quality teachers who happen to be coaches?  I know that in a small school this is a difficult balancing act - and I also suspect that there are only a few kids with the capacity and drive to handle the AP classes anyway. 
Answer:  We appreciate the question and the concern and support for Science. Our Secondary Science program has been a focus for improvement and will be for next year. We added a teacher, who does not coach, to help with this department last year. For next year, we have begun to advertise for the best Science teacher in Texas. We will pay whatever stipends and signing bonuses necessary to find this teacher. The new Science teacher will chair the department. Together, the Science team, Principal and Curriculum department, will meet this summer and every week next year to insure we are on target to meet high standards and to make the learning interesting, applicable and relevant.  Again, we thank you for focusing on academics and the expectation for high standards.

Question:  I have read the previous question on this sight and would like some understanding to the question of the Science teachers.  If my understanding of the answer is right, you are saying that we do not have the BEST Science teachers in Texas.  I beg to differ, I believe that Diana does have the best Science teachers in Texas, they are just not receiving the support that they deserve from the Administration.  These teachers are being rated on the TAKS test rather than what they bring to the minds of our children.  The past scores reflect great teaching, but the Administration is not happy, because of the stipend that he may or may not receive due to the scores.  Why can't the teachers TEACH?  That is what drove them to this profession.  I have a child that has decided to further his career after graduation because of one of the High School Science/ Coach Teacher.  I think that this should prove that these teachers are doing what they are hired to do, teach and shape the minds of our children to enforce a better life for them.  I would hope that numbers would not be the deciding factor in these teachers jobs, Doesn't it say something that other teaching agency from in and out of our District are so encouraged with the ability our teachers have that they have requested to come into our teachers class rooms to observe their teaching skills and want to take them back to their districts and utilize them in their class rooms.  That says so much more than any number.  I am sure that this may touch some nerves and never be posted but maybe it will make the appropriate people see that we as parents know that our students are benefiting from these Best in Texas Science teachers already.  You can stop searching for them, just LOOK in the New Diana ISD class rooms.
Answer:  There was not an attempt to characterize our Science teachers in any manner. A previous parent inquired as how we might improve student learning in Science. In answering the question, we stated the need for another Science teacher and in doing so indicated we wanted the best available.
You are absolutely correct; the TAKS tests are not the only measure of quality learning. That is why we look at college entrance exams, results of UIL and other academic competitions, and performance of our students in post high school classes as well as occupations. TAKS tests assess the required curriculum from the state. We are definitely committed to teaching more than merely the state requirement. We are all aware the Science tests may be the most difficult of all TAKS tests. These tests do not merely require students to recall facts. Science TAKS require reasoning and analyzing facts which the student must use in a practical application. New Diana expects to perform well in all areas. Currently our high school science students are not performing as well as our other subjects. Student performance in this area may have nothing to do with the quality of teachers. Often we find the curriculum used is the problem or perhaps it needs more practical application. The Board has been generous in providing resources in this area. If a particular resource is a difference maker, we certainly wish to know. We would most certainly obtain any resource if it has been demonstrated to make a positive difference.
Thank you for expressing interest in one of our academic areas. We value all input that helps us to constantly improve our student’s learning.

Question:  I have heard rumors about a lot of the teachers being fired, asked to leave or "let go"... well we already have a short supply on teachers so are we going to have enough teachers for next year to teach every subject?  Please reply.
Answer:   Thank you for your question.  I do not believe any teacher was fired. After Monday’s Board meeting, we will have hired every teaching position for the new elementary campus, the Intermediate campus (4-6 grades), and the Junior High campus (grades 7 & 8). The high school campus has one teacher (this is a new position), a counselor and a Principal opening.  We continue to take applications, and a few other applicants are waiting, if a few other teachers leave.  We had two teachers retire, and we added a few positions due to growth. Other than those, the only others leaving were coaching changes.  There is a shortage of teachers and support personnel in Texas. Most of these positions are in Science, Mathematics, Spanish Language, Special Education, and Counseling.  New Diana is blessed with a wonderful staff. We do want to retain our fine staff and are pleased to know your interest is the same.  Thank you.