Redwater ISD Announces Two Recipients of the Prestigious Terry Foundation Scholarship

For the fifth year in a row, the Terry Foundation has named a Redwater senior as recipient of the prestigious Terry Foundation Scholarship and this year Redwater has two 2018 graduates selected. The Houston-based Terry Foundation awards scholarships to outstanding Texas high school graduates attending select public universities within the state. In 2018, only 238 Terry Scholars were selected state wide based on demonstrated academic excellence, history of community leadership, and a well-rounded personality grounded in the desire to succeed.

Kholeton Thomas Cox will attend the University of Texas at Austin where the scholarship will pay an estimated $106,000 over a four-year period including funding a study abroad semester. Kholeton plans to major in Biology pursuing a career as a Sports Medicine Physician. He is the son of Rodney and Robyn Cox.  Kholeton joins the UT freshman class that includes 52 Terry Scholars.

Joe Sanders Hendrix will attend the University of North Texas where the scholarship will pay full tuition and fees over a four-year period including a study abroad opportunity. Joe plans to major in Geography pursuing a career in Geographic Information Systems. His parents are Jenny and Patrick Wilder and Gavin and Cassy Hendrix. Joe is one of only 14 UNT freshmen to earn the Terry Scholarship.
 

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RISD Response to Preliminary State A-F Rating

In 1983, HB 72 created state curriculum standards, a state assessment system and a state accountability system for public schools.  The original intent was to insure all students were achieving basic skills in reading and math.  The original intent has evolved into a current system that is rating and ranking students and schools based on college readiness/advanced standards measured by the state assessment STAAR.  Neither higher education nor the workforce considers the STAAR assessments as a valid indicator for post-secondary success.

Most recently, in 2015, the 84^th Texas Legislature enacted HB 2804 which in turn established an A-F rating system for public school districts and campuses.  This new system was slated to go into effect for the 2017-2018 school year; however, the Legislature requested a preliminary run based on the 2015-2016 school data.  The Texas Commissioner of Education then chose to make the information public.    The complexities of determining the letter grade for each domain far surpass any grading system used in public schools for reporting student progress.  There is no simple explanation for how the ratings were determined.

The political justification for moving to this system was to provide a performance grade for campuses comparable to the grades received on student report cards. 

The newly developed A-F State Accountability System is NOT an accurate reflection of quality education, dedicated staff, supportive parents and students with a vast array of talents, interests and opportunities.  This system does NOT take into consideration the vast diversity of our state or the available resources for meeting the high expectations required to achieve the desired outcomes.

Redwater ISD does not embrace a rating or ranking of our schools based on a state test administered on one specific date.  Our focus is to provide a quality 21^st century education that far exceeds the limited parameters of this state accountability design.  At Redwater ISD, where the vision is to inspire high personal expectations so ALL will experience their full potential and rise above the ordinary, our schools are so much more than one test; our students are so much more than one score!  Life Matters at Redwater ISD.

Grade Viewer Sign-Up!

Student grades, schedules, absences, immunization records, and alerts are available for any parent or legal guardian using the txConnect (Online Grade Viewer) link here or in the Students and Parents sections. Your user name and password from last year should work. If you have forgotten your user name and password or need a new account, please contact your child's counselor for a parent portal letter which contains the information to setup an account.

Stay informed and help your student succeed!