First Report Card Key Checkpointfor Students and Parents, Too

Although the school year won’t end and final grades won’t be assigned for months, the first report cards issued this week are key. They provide an official checkpoint for students and parents on academic performance. Take time to review this initial performance measure, looking for places to praise excellence and for subjects where improvement is needed.

Parental influence on student success cannot be underestimated. When parents are involved in their children’s education at home, they do better in school.  And when parents are involved in school, children go farther in school — and the schools they go to are better.

Parent/teacher relationships make powerful partnerships. Working with your child’s teachers, you can figure out ways to maximize your child’s academic strengths and build up weaknesses.

Rather than wait for the six-week or semester report cards, we recommend monitoring grades more often through Parent CONNECT. Let’s don’t wait for grades to slip. Address any missed assignments or needs for extra help immediately.

Let’s continue to work together to bring out the best in all of our students.  And keep reminding them of all the benefits good grades will help create for their futures.

New AP Grant ScoringBig Within Mesquite ISD

Our student participation in AP Exams isn’t the only thing improving through a grant sponsored by the National Math and Science Initiative and the Texas Instruments Foundation. So have our students’ scores.

The grant, which debuted in the 2011-12 school year, is geared toward math, science and English AP classes. Students with a qualifying score of 3 or higher on exams in these three courses earn $100 per test. By the end of the grant’s second year, here are results of math, science and English AP Exams:

●	Exam participation was up by 29 percent overall.
●	Qualifying scores increased by 42 percent overall.
●	The number of exams taken by African American and Hispanic students grew by 61 percent.
●	Qualifying scores by African American and Hispanic students improved by 55 percent.

We look forward to continued success through this great program. Please join us in urging students to participate in AP classes, which can lead to college credit hours and tuition savings.