Abstract:
Education is a vital part of society; however, not all education is equal. Research has shown that students from low socioeconomic backgrounds are much less likely to graduate from high school (Balfanz, et al.). Due to this discrepancy, those involved in education are constantly trying to find new ways to adapt their teaching to fit the needs of their students and help them succeed. One of the more successful urban school districts is Aldine ISD. About 80% of the students in Aldine are considered socioeconomically disadvantaged, and yet the class of 2011 had only 14.5% of students drop out (Texas Education Agency). The school district's success appears to be based on several factors, including staff development, dedication to improvement of test scores and student performance, and community involvement. I explored these and other factors that play into Aldine's success to discover what they are doing right, and how others can apply it to their own teaching.
