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Spruce High School ReorganizationFrequently Asked Questions (en español)
1. What is the status of H. Grady Spruce High School?Despite the best efforts of many dedicated students, staff and parents, Spruce High School has failed to meet state standards on the TAKS test for three consecutive years and will likely be named an academically unacceptable campus for the fourth year by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) in August. Schools that are academically unacceptable for five consecutive years face closure by TEA. Recognizing that there has not been significant progress at the school and that it would be virtually impossible to raise achievement levels in one year, the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees voted on June 26 to reassign 10th and 11th grade Spruce students to Lincoln and Madison high schools. Spruce seniors will be provided the option to stay at Spruce. Incoming 9th grade students at Spruce will be given the option to attend one of three new academic pathways at the school: Engineering and Information Technology, Health and Human Services, and Business and Financial Management. 2. Why is the board and the district doing this?Our vision in Dallas ISD is for all students to graduate ready for college or the workforce. Based upon the data received over a period of several years, changes need to be made at Spruce to improve student achievement. While changes have been made repeatedly to Spruce, including hiring new teachers and school leadership, significant increases in student achievement have not occurred. 3. How will this plan benefit students from Pleasant Grove, many of whom want to attend school at the campus closest to them?This year’s 10th and 11th grade students, who had attended Spruce but will now attend Lincoln or Madison, will benefit from the established successful programs, course offerings and staff at both of these campuses. While there will be an adjustment period for students who are new to both of these schools, we believe it gives these students an opportunity to raise their achievement level as well as add to and benefit from the rich tradition that both of these schools enjoy. This year’s seniors who will attend Spruce will be able to finish out their senior year and graduate from their alma mater with their class standing intact. This will benefit them as they apply to various colleges and universities next year. This year’s 9th grade class at Spruce will usher in a new era at the campus, one that will only continue to grow from year to year. The three pathways of Engineering and Information Technology, Health and Human Services; and Business and Financial Management will continue to expand from year to year, so that this year’s 9th graders will attend Spruce for the rest of their academic career, with incoming 9th grade classes coming in behind them. In four years, Spruce will transform itself into a grades 9-12 high school of choice that prepares each of its students to be college/workforce ready. In this way, all of Pleasant Grove stands to gain from a stronger academic program that will be developed incrementally at Spruce. 4. How will 10th and 11th grade students who had attended Spruce learn of their new school assignment?Letters to students were mailed out on Monday, July 21. Students were assigned based on geographic location and enrollment capacity. If students or parents have questions about this assignment, they can call the Student Record Services Department at 972-925-3645 for more information. 5. What about UIL eligibility?UIL eligibility follows where students are assigned. In this case, if students are assigned to either Lincoln or Madison, their eligibility follows them. 6. What about eligibility for 12th grade students at Spruce, since there won’t be enough students to field a team?Seniors are being contacted at this time by staff from Spruce. Seniors will be given an option to remain at Spruce for their senior year or accept a pre-determined assignment at Madison or Lincoln based on geographic location and enrollment capacity. Athletic eligibility will follow students to their assigned school of either Lincoln or Madison. Seniors who apply for transfers to other schools may request a waiver for athletic eligibility but are not guaranteed approval. For additional questions regarding athletic eligibility, please contact the Athletics Department at 972-925-3310. 7. How will my child get to Madison or Lincoln, since it is so far away from where we live?School buses will be made available to students who need to be transported to their new campus. Parents will be receiving a letter with details on pickup points. 8. How can I learn more about the school where my child has been assigned?The following orientation sessions have been scheduled to assist students with this reorganization:
9. Who is the new principal at Spruce?Dr. Lucy Hakemack, who has a proven track record throughout her career in Dallas ISD of getting campuses to achieve recognized status by the Texas Education Agency. Most recently, she was the principal at Early College High School at Mountain View, where she started the program two years ago. After her first year, which housed only 9th grade students, the school was named an exemplary campus by TEA. After her second year, tests indicated that 99% of her students—now 9th and 10th grade students—were ready for college. 10. My child was in the ninth grade last year at Spruce but does not have enough credits to be considered a tenth grader. Where will he/she attend?Parents of students identified in this category are being contacted at this time to schedule conferences to determine assignments for the 2008-2009 school year. If you feel your child falls into this category and you have not been contacted, please contact Alternative Programs at 972-925-4878. 11. My child was a special education student at Spruce last year. Will he or she receive special education services at Lincoln or Madison?Letters will be sent out to the parents of all special education students who attended Spruce last year advising them where their child will be reassigned. 12. What about the provisions of No Child Left Behind? Doesn’t that mean I can transfer my child to any campus in Dallas ISD?No. Only five campuses within Dallas ISD are available for students to transfer out of Spruce to attend another campus. Those campuses are Skyline, Emmett J. Conrad, James Madison, W.T. White and Hillcrest high schools. The deadline for these requests was July 18, 2008. If you have questions, please contact the Department of Student Transfers at 972-925-3270. 13. What about curriculum and hardship transfers? Are those being accepted?Any student can apply for a curriculum transfer to attend the nearest Dallas ISD school with available space that offers a course or program the assigned school does not have. Any student can apply for a hardship transfer to attend another Dallas ISD school with available space if personal or family circumstances prevent a student from attending their assigned school. If you are considering a transfer, please contact the Department of Student Transfers at 972-925-3270. 14. Will Advanced Placement classes be offered at Lincoln and Madison?Yes, Advanced Placement classes will continue to be offered at both high schools and students who previously attended Spruce will have the opportunity to enroll in these courses. |
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