Last week I talked about the possibility that the DISD's Current Budget Woes Might Be A Gift. Specifically I discussed how, if done correctly, the impending layoffs and belt tightening could lead to efficiencies in operation and lean but effective teaching staffs. What I didn't expect was the targeting of the most successful schools in the district for the deepest cuts. Mr. Hinojosa...What are you thinking?

Read more »

Like many school districts across the country, the DISD is faced with making deep cuts in order to balance their budget for the 2011-2012 school year. As of data reported through 2009, the DISD is the 14th largest school district in the country with over 159,000 students, 10,643 teachers and 2,208 staff. The initial statewide budget plan would cut Texas education funding by $9.3 billion making the DISD's share of this reduction $250 million or roughly 25% of the current budget. 85% of the DISD's current $1.2 billion budget goes to payroll.

Superintendent Michael Hinojosa's proposed areas for the $250 million budget-reduction include:

Read more »

If you haven't noticed already, Creative Tutors of Dallas/Highland Park is on Facebook! We post links to community activities for children in Dallas, Highland Park, and the greater DFW area; education related articles; blog posts written by myself and other Creative Tutors owners; articles related to parental concerns; comments from parents; and anything related to the welfare of children. Some of our recent Facebook posts have included links to scientific articles, numerous articles on the value of including the arts in our children's educational curriculum, announcements from the Dallas and Highland Park school districts, articles on district budget issues, articles discussing the importance of including recess in our child's school day, articles on the activities and accomplishments of area schools, and of course articles on tutoring. Please become a Facebook Fan today! Once we reach 100 fans, we'll begin offering valuable coupons for our tutoring services! You can also find Creative Tutors of Dallas/Highland Park on Twitter and find me on LinkedIn!

Let's get connected!

If it were left up to history textbooks, American children would grow up believing there were only three historically important Black Americans; Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, and Harriet Beecher Stowe. In honor of Black History month, Creative Tutors will be profiling some less well known, but nevertheless important, men and women who made our country great.

In 1781 after the British siege of Richmond, James Armistead asked his master for permission to serve in the cause of American independence. James entered the service of Lafayette and was sent to the camp of the traitor, Benedict Arnold.

Read more »

In a recent Wall Street Journal article, Why Chinese Mothers Are Superior, Amy Chua discusses parts of her new and controversial book Battle Hymn of the Tiger Mother. By the time I'd finished reading the first paragraph, complete with a list of things her daughters were NOT ALLOWED to do, including no sleepovers or play dates; no school plays or complaining about not being in one; not being allowed to choose extracurricular activities; and not getting a grade less than an A in all academic subjects, I was ready to fire off a scathing comment replete with phrases like child abuse and needing to be sent back to the mommy farm. Then, an image of my dapper, Yale educated grandfather came to mind as he perused my 5th grade report card and exclaimed, "Well dear...if you can get an A- in math you should be able to get an A!" He made no comment at all about any other grade...all of which were A's. That image of my own tiger grandpa gave me some instant insight into Amy Chua's point of view. You see, although I was sad that he didn't seem to be impressed, I didn't expire on the spot. I knew he loved me. And, I never forgot that conversation. There really was no reason for me not to have gotten an A. So, why am I so conflicted with her vision of effective parenting?

Read more »