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Texas A&M University

Texas School Districts Share Secrets To Closing The Achievement Gap

11/20/06

By Jenna Kujawski

Superintendents from three high-performing school districts in Texas were on hand for the 24th Annual Administrative Leadership Institute at Texas A&M University to share secrets on how their schools have closed the achievement gap among their students.

Mike Bergman, Brazos ISD superintendent since 2002, revealed that his schools' successes are due to the low student/teacher ratio, after-school programs, innovative teaching software programs, and cooperation among all teachers in the district.

"Our success is apparent because we have the right people doing the right job - it isn't just magic," Bergman said. "Leaders must get the right people on the bus to expect changes in the classroom, and our campuses are exemplifying this."

In her sixth year as superintendent of Aldine ISD, Nadine Kujawa turned a minority school district into one of the most recognized school districts in the state. When Kujawa arrived at Aldine, the district was 53rd out of the 54 school districts in the Houston area when it came to student performance.
 
Kujawa's first plan of action was to decrease the number of students classified as special education. She implemented a pilot program for 4-year-olds that helped decrease special education students in the higher grade levels. In addition, behavioral interventions at the earlier grade levels helped decrease students termed special education as well.

"This is not an overnight journey," Kujawa said. "It is a step by step process - sometimes one step forward and one step backward."

Kujawa said that besides early behavioral intervention, aligning the curriculum across the district, delivering higher levels of learning, involving the children in the strategy of learning, and hiring teachers that care are some of the key reasons for Aldine's success.

"The belief system of our school district, campus and classroom is that our teachers believe that all students in the school district, campus and classroom can learn," Kujawa said. "Children will work for those teachers who care about them, build relationships with them and implement involved, enthusiastic learning."

Robert Duron has been superintendent of San Antonio ISD for only four months, but he has already made an impact on the district's success. Duron came from Socorro ISD near El Paso where he helped turn the district in the right direction in terms of student performance.

Duron's biggest accomplishment has been to actively pursue "Level 5" teachers - those teachers who are always learning, are open to change and can manage themselves. He insists that you can have a great organization and have happy people working for you.

"If you want to be tremendously successful and close the gap, surround yourself with the right people. Progress involves constant improvement while never changing your core values," Duron said. "We're all here for one purpose-to graduate all students and improve their life through education."

Superintendents from three high-performing school districts in Texas spoke at the 24th Annual Administrative Leadership Institute on how to close the achievement gap. They are (from left to right) Mike Bergman, Brazos ISD superintendent, Nadine Kujawa, Aldine ISD superintendent, and Robert Duron, San Antonio ISD superintendent.

Superintendents from three high-performing school districts in Texas spoke at the 24th Annual Administrative Leadership Institute on how to close the achievement gap. They are (from left to right) Mike Bergman, Brazos ISD superintendent, Nadine Kujawa, Aldine ISD superintendent, and Robert Duron, San Antonio ISD superintendent.

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