Welcome to Paris ISD
Dear Parents and Friends of PISD,
Next week, you will be receiving your child's STAAR/TAKS results for the 2013-2014 school year. I'm writing this letter on behalf of PISD administrators, teachers, staff, and board members. These results should be considered as one of many instruments used to measure your child's growth, not the end-all of your child's learning for the year. These assessments do not reflect the quality of teaching or learning in our classrooms. Instead, they reflect a punitive; one size fits all test-driven system. Our students are much more than a once-a-year pencil and bubble sheet test. Your child means immeasurably more than just a number generated in Austin. There is no test that can assess all of what makes each child unique. The state mandated assessments are used by the state to score and rank our campuses and our district, however, this is not the only assessment we use for Paris ISD students. We have higher standards. Your child's achievements must be measured by a multitude of accomplishments throughout the year. Your individual child's academic growth is what is important, and we assess your child's growth from the start of the school year to the end of the school year. In contrast, your child is assessed by the state with a criterion-referenced test (STAAR), which assesses how your child performs on a single day and uses those results to compare your child to a predetermined standard set by bureaucrats in Austin and a testing company headquartered in London, England. We all know students do not master skills at the same rate; each individual child has their strengths and weaknesses. This single test cannot measure what we know about your child. Many of our students play sports, play musical instruments, dance, sing, speak multiple languages, write and perform poetry or songs, and create amazing works of art. We have students working multiple jobs at night to help support their family. Many of our students are the main caregivers for younger siblings late into the evening hours. Our classrooms are reflective of a multi-faceted student involved in a wide variety of activities, both academic and extra-curricular. It is not just drill and kill for one test.
Although the data from this assessment will help us know when to offer enrichment or intervention, we will use the state assessment for the purpose the original assessment system was created--a diagnostic tool for identifying areas of concern as well as strengths. Individual student data will be aligned with local assessment data to develop educational plans that ensure continued progress for our students. Your child's growth and love of learning are our main goals at PISD. Unfortunately, bureaucrats in Washington, D.C. and Austin have designed a one-size-fits-all assessment system that doesn't necessarily reflect your individual child's growth and achievements. Our students, not the state assessment, will be our main focus and top priority. Our instructional goals are to prepare each child to be college and/or career ready for the 21st Century.
So, yes, we live in a time when standardized test results are a reality. However, let's not let the STAAR test overshadow what is truly important--each individual child. Let us not forget to celebrate the vast and numerous accomplishments and successes the students of PISD have achieved this school year. It has been a great one!
Paul Jones,
Superintendent Paris Independent School District
Superintendent Paris Independent School District
Paris ISD names Teachers of the Year
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Deb Fleming
Elementary Teacher of the Year |
Joe Watson
Secondary Teacher of the Year |
Paris ISD seeks nominations for Distinguished Graduate Award Program
Paris Independent School District is seeking nominations for the 2014-2015 Distinguished Graduate Award. The purpose of the award is to recognize graduates of Paris High School and the former Gibbons High School for outstanding personal and professional achievements and to identify role models for Paris High School students. Distinguished Graduates are recognized with a place of prominence on a Wall of Honor in the Paris High School Commons Area.
The Award Selection committee is soliciting nominations from the community for the Distinguished Alumni Award. Criteria for the award include:
- The nominee may be living or deceased.
- The nominee must have graduated from Paris High School at least 10 years ago or Gibbons High School
- Must have received national or equivalent recognition for career accomplishments, distinguishing himself/herself as a leader and role model.
To nominate a graduate for consideration, send the nomination form to jkraft@parisisd.net or to:
Selection Committee
Paris ISD
1920 Clarksville Street
Paris, Texas 75460
Nominations received by May 30, 2014, will be eligible for the award presented in conjunction with 2014 homecoming activities.
Nominees remain in contention from year to year unless the person making the nomination withdraws the name. Anyone making a nomination should continue to update a nominee’s file by sending additional information to wallofhonor@parisisd.net .
Selection Committee
Paris ISD
1920 Clarksville Street
Paris, Texas 75460
Nominations received by May 30, 2014, will be eligible for the award presented in conjunction with 2014 homecoming activities.
Nominees remain in contention from year to year unless the person making the nomination withdraws the name. Anyone making a nomination should continue to update a nominee’s file by sending additional information to wallofhonor@parisisd.net .