Heights - River Oaks - Montrose Edition | Sept. 2020

HEIGHTS RIVER OAKS MONTROSE EDITION

VOLUME XX, ISSUE XX XXXXXXXXXX, 2020 2020 PUBLIC EDUCATION EDITION

ONLINE AT

VOLUME 2, ISSUE 5 SEPT. 5OCT. 3, 2020

EQUITY

Home to 280 schools, Houston ISD has 135 campuses with an A or B rating under 2019 state accountability standards, but some neighborhoods have few or none. HISD has launched an eort to gure out how to bring equitable access to every student.

SOLVING FOR

SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCYCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER

C-F rated schools: acceptable or in need of improvement

A-B rated schools: exemplary/recognized performance

Total number of students in C-below schools: 105,184

290

IMPACTS

610

of students are disadvantaged 75%

of students are disadvantaged 94%

of students are disadvantaged 80%

District overall

STAAR scores: At or above grade level in English Despite some gains, HISD struggles to close achievement gaps on state standardized tests.

Economically disadvantaged All students

25% 50% 75% 100%

288

TRANSPORTATION EDUCATION E D I T I O N 2020 PUBLIC SPONSOREDBY Marine Military Academy LOCAL SCHOOLS DISTRICT DATA VIRTUAL RESOURCES

'13-14 '14-15 '15-16 '16-17 '17-18 '18-19 0%

HISD PROJECT LOOKS TOBALANCE THE EQUATION 16

Janice Jucker has seen her fair share of disasters as a busi- ness owner in Houston. As the owner of Three Brothers Bakery—which has loca- tions in Braeswood, in Memorial and on Washington Ave- nue—Jucker said she has been through four oods, a re and a hurricane. As of March, she can add a global pandemic to the list. “When things rst startedhappening,wehadabigplummet CONTINUED ON 21 Saved by PPP, businesses hopemore help is coming BY SHAWN ARRAJJ

15 12

“WE DIDWHATWE WERE SUPPOSED TODO WITH ITWE BROUGHT PEOPLE BACK TOWORK.

New!

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Find restaurant deals in a snap: Point your camera to the QR code or visit communityimpact.com/deals .

... WE DEFINITELY NEEDANOTHER ROUNDOF PPP.” ALLI JARRETT, OWNER OF HAROLD’S IN THE HEIGHTS

Contribute today! Use your phone camera to scan the QR code or visit

Please join your friends and neighbors in support of Community Impact Newspaper ’s legacy of local, reliable reporting by making a contribution. Any amount matters. Together, we can continue to ensure our citizens stay informed and keep our local businesses thriving. Make an impact. Become a #CommunityPatron .

SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM

COMMUNITYIMPACT.COMCIPATRON

The expertise to KEEP YOU MOVING

Our sports medicine specialists can help keep your body in motion At Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, we know every movement matters. Our board-certified sports medicine specialists offer:

610

Bellaire

610

Texas Medical Center

• The latest imaging and technology • Advanced nonsurgical treatments • Minimally invasive procedures • State-of-the-art physical and occupational therapy

Whether you’re suffering from simple aches and pains or dealing with a complex injury, we can get you back on your feet — and keep you moving. And, you can be confident that we are taking every necessary precaution to keep you safe during your visit.

Houston Methodist Orthopedic Injury Clinic Houston Methodist Orthopedics & Sports Medicine

18 convenient locations across Greater Houston

Schedule an appointment: houstonmethodist.org/sportsmed 713.441.9000

COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

A DISTINCTIVE LIFEST YLE DE S E R V E S A D I S T I NC T I V E R E A L E S TAT E E X P E R I ENCE

Let us help you find or sell your home, visit: GaryGreene.com

RIVER BEND | 1005 RIVER BEND | $2,100,000 KIRSTEN ABNEY | 713.208.8307 MARTHA WHITE | 713.825.6295

BANCROFT ESTATES (RIVER OAKS AREA) 2141 BANCROFT ST. | $1,495,000 713.461.6800

SUNSET HEIGHTS 325 E 24TH ST. #2 | $725,000 713.961.1722

HYDE PARK 2212 COMMONWEALTH ST. | $987,000 281.444.5140

2240 MIMOSA DR. HOUSTON | 77019 PREMIUM CONDOS PRE-SELLING NOW

Robin Mueck | 713.234.5833 Starting at $1.3+ mi l l ion

RICE MILITARY 5611 LACY ST. | $705,000 936.447.9625

MimosaTerrace.com

©2020 Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. Better Homes and Gardens ® is a registered trademark of Meredith Corporation licensed to Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate LLC. Equal Opportunity Company. Equal Housing Opportunity. Each Franchise is Independently Owned and Operated. If your property is currently listed with a real estate broker, please disregard. It is not our intention to solicit the offerings of other real estate brokers.

HEIGHTS - RIVER OAKS - MONTROSE EDITION • SEPTEMBER 2020

We treated hundreds of patients last year. But we didn’t treat numbers.

We treated Sarah.

Imagine a treatment environment that embraces proven therapies and at the same time promotes innovation. Imagine an oncology culture that’s so healing-focused it delivers new therapies from clinical trials and research labs to the bedside quicker. That environment is ours. And our mission is to treat earlier and stop cancer sooner.

Learn more about our definition of humanity in cancer care at StLukesHealth.org/Oncology .

COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

THIS ISSUE

FROMKRISTINA: September is nally here and although it may look dierent, the 2020-2021 academic year is ocially underway. In addition to our Education section, take a peek at a hyperlocal analysis on how the PPP loans have made an impact on this community on Page 21. Don’t forget to stay up-to-date on what’s open and coming soon with our Impacts on Page 6. Kristina Shackelford, ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER

MARKET TEAM SENIOR EDITOR Matt Dulin CITY HALL REPORTER Emma Whalen SENIOR GRAPHIC DESIGNER Anya Gallant ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE Keenan Porter METRO LEADERSHIP PUBLISHER Jason Culpepper ASSOCIATE PUBLISHER Kristina Shackelford MANAGING EDITOR Marie Leonard ART PRODUCTIONMANAGER Tessa Hoee CORPORATE LEADERSHIP PUBLISHERS AND FOUNDERS John and Jennifer Garrett GROUP PUBLISHER Traci Rodriguez EXECUTIVE EDITOR Joe Warner

BECOMEA #COMMUNITYPATRON Please join your friends and

SUPPORT LOCAL JOURNALISM

neighbors in support of Community Impact Newspaper’s legacy of local, reliable reporting by making a contribution. Together, we can continue to ensure citizens stay informed and keep businesses thriving. COMMUNITYIMPACT.COMCIPATRON CONTACT US

FROMMATT: The Heights-River Oaks-Montrose area enjoys great public schools but that is not the case for some parts of the district. It is going to take an all-in approach to make sure all of Houston ISD’s schools and students have the best chance for success, especially as COVID-19 has made inequalities starkly apparent, district leaders and community members told us for our lead story. Matt Dulin, SENIOR EDITOR

245 Commerce Green Blvd., Ste. 200 Sugar Land, TX 77478 • 3463682555 PRESS RELEASES HRMnews@communityimpact.com SUBSCRIPTIONS communityimpact.com/subscriptions

Our local teams tailor campaigns for all business sizes and industries wanting to reach their customer base and accomplish their nancial goals. Our products ADVERTISEWITHUS

Visit our website for free access to the latest news, photos and infographics about your community and nearby cities. communityimpact.com LIVE UPDATES

CREATIVE DIRECTOR Derek Sullivan SALES DIRECTOR Tess Coverman WHOWE ARE

John and Jennifer Garrett began Community Impact Newspaper in 2005 in Pugerville, TX. The company’s mission is to build communities of informed citizens and thriving businesses through the collaboration of a passionate team. Today we operate across ve metropolitan areas, providing hyperlocal, nonpartisan news produced by our full- time journalists in each community we serve.

Proudly printed by

include newspaper ads; mailbox-targeted sticky notes, inserts and direct mail; and digital options. We also partner with Community Impact Printing for nationwide specialty orders. Our advertising clients self- report 97% satisfaction with their overall experience, and a recent third-party Readex survey proved 78% of paper recipients read three of the last four editions, and from what they read 83% "took action" of some kind. Contact us today for more info! communityimpact.com/advertising

DAILY INBOX

communityimpact.com

facebook.com/impactnewsHRM

WE’VE TEAMEDUP TOBRING YOUMORE OF THE STORIES YOU CARE ABOUT

@impactnews_HRM

HEIGHTS RIVER OAKS MONTROSE EDITION • SEPTEMBER 2020

IMPACTS

Businesses that have recently opened or are coming soon, relocating or expanding

T. C. JESTER BLVD.

AURORA ST.

290

11TH ST.

Bludorn

Flower Child

COURTESY JULIE SOEFERBLUDORN

COURTESY FLOWER CHILD

STUDEMONT ST.

MEMORIAL PARK

oysters and shrimp. 281-575-1746. www.crawshcafe.com 10 Neumed Modern Urgent Care , a combination of an IV drip therapy spa with an urgent care facility, plans to open this fall at 2401 N. Shepherd Drive, Ste. A-130. The clinic will provide prima- ry medical care, treating injuries and common illnesses as well as IV infusions. www.neumed.com RELOCATIONS 11 High-end bridal boutique Winnie Couture relocated from West University to Montrose in early July. The Beverly Hills-based shop has 10 agship loca- tions throughout the U.S. and is known for serving celebrity clients. Visits are scheduled by appointment only at 1847 W. Alabama St., Houston. 713-782-9316. www.winniecouture.com CLOSINGS 12 The upscale home decor and furni- ture store Wisteria is closing down all of its operations, including its Houston location at 3461 W. Alabama St., which opened in November 2019. The Dal- las-based company, founded in 2000 initially as a mail-order catalog, was acquired by the British company OKA Direct Ltd. in 2018. The closures were announced June 29, and the Houston location was still promoting closing sales in late August. 800-320-9757. www.wisteria.com 13 Jackson’s Place dog day care is permanently closing its Montrose/River Oaks-area facility at 1635 Dunlavy St.,

W A S H I N G T O

location in Houston at 1533 N. Shep- herd Drive, Ste. 100, on Aug. 4. The restaurant, owned by Phoenix-based Fox Restaurant Concepts, was originally expected to open in March, but it was de- layed because of the pandemic. Its menu oers gluten-free, vegetarian and vegan options. 346-230-4478. www.iamaowerchild.com 6 The River Oaks-area restaurant Relish , 2810 Westheimer Road, reopened for full dine-in service as of July 31. It had been previously only oering curbside service for lunch and dinner since June. 713-599-1960. www.relishhouston.com 7 Wine cellar and lounge Vault & Vino opened in mid-July at 2505 Mason St., Houston. The building houses a series of climate-controlled lockers for wine storage as well as an expansive lounge to stay and enjoy wine with other clients of the members-only cellar. 713-364-5391. www.vaultandvino.com 8 Tenfold Coee opened July 22 at 101 Aurora St., Houston. The coee shop and roastery specializes in sourcing high-qual- ity coee from sustainable farms in developing countries; hosting educational opportunities; and selling beans, coee subscriptions and merchandise.

610

W. GRAY ST.

DREXEL DR.

BUFFALO SPEEDWAY

527

N MAP NOT TO SCALE

NOWOPEN 1 Atlanta-based The Original Hot- dog Factory opened Sept. 4 at 920 Studemont St., Houston. With options from Jamaican Jerk hot dogs to Mexi- can-inspired taco hot dogs, the restau- rant puts a creative spin on the classic staple. 713-861-3647. www.theoriginalhotdogfactory.com 2 The new restaurant Bludorn , 807 Taft St., Houston, opened for dinner service Aug. 21. The former executive chef of Cafe Boulud in Manhattan, Aaron Bludorn and his wife, Victoria Pappas, of the longtime Houston-area restaurant family, developed the concept, oering “creative and eclectic American cuisine,” according to a news release, with a focus on sustainable, local and seasonal ingre- dients. 713-999-0146. www.bludornrestaurant.com

3 The James Beard Award-nominated chef Ronnie Killen, known for his barbe- cue and steakhouse enterprises, opened Killen’s at 101 Heights Blvd., Houston, on Aug. 19. The restaurant opened for dine-in dinner service initially, but it will eventually add takeout options. The menu oers Southern comfort food, fried chicken, chicken-fried steak and other family-inspired options. 713-637-4664. www.killensrestaurants.com 4 Liberty Kitchen & Oysterette in River Oaks, 4224 San Felipe St., reopened for dine-in service Aug. 7 after being acquired by Houston hospitality rm Culinary Khancepts. The Heights location, retained by F.E.E.D. TX Restaurant Group, is slated for a new concept. The restaurants had been closed since March. 713-622-1010. www.libertykitcheneats.com 5 The diet-conscious, fast-casual restaurant Flower Child opened its third

www.tenfoldcoee.com COMING SOON

9 Crawsh Cafe will open its new loca- tion at 1026 N. Shepherd Drive, Hous- ton, on Sept. 12. The Vietnamese-Cajun restaurant opened in the Alief area in 2013. The menu oers boiled crawsh with nine avor options, as well as Gulf blue crabs, snow crab legs, king crab legs,

Assisted Living Optimum Care Now Available! ImaginedaysfullofpossibilitiesinyourbeautifulnewhomeatTheVillageofRiverOaks. Discoveranexceptional lifestylethatoffersdeliciouscuisine,enrichingprograms,concierge andvaletservices, transportation,andsignatureamenities.YouwillcontinuetoLiveLife Well®withtheaddedspectrumofcareandwellnessservicestailoredtoyourindividual needs.TheVillagedistinctivelifestyleiscenteredaroundyouandthelifeyoudeserve.

(346) 800-5131

1015 Shepherd Dr. | Houston, TX 770 10 | villageof riveroaks .com

Facility ID# 1 48171

COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

COMPILED BY MATT DULIN & EMMA WHALEN

the business announced Aug. 21, citing a decline amid COVID-19. The day care’s Midtown location remains open at 3511 Milam St., which will also soon house its dog treat-baking operation. The facility oers supervised, cage-free dog day care and boarding. 713-529-1200. www.jacksonsplace.com IN THE NEWS 14 Phase 1 of the Lower Heights mixed-use development is getting close to completion, with the build-out of a two-story commercial building and move-ins in the Alexan apartment prop- erty underway. The new building at 1440 Studemont St. will oer 35,000 square feet of retail and oces, with tenants slated to begin opening in early 2021, according to a release from Gulf Coast Commercial Group, which is overseeing the development of the 24-acre Lower Heights district. Signed tenants include SheSpace, a rst-to-market coworking space focused on supporting women, which leased 6,000 square feet on the second oor and Central Bank, which will be located on the rst oor. Gulf Coast also plans to unveil a new hike and bike trail running along the eastern edge of the property that will tie into the MKT Trail. Future phases could include a movie theater as well as more retail, restau- rants, oce and multifamily oerings. An Ulta and a Total Wine opened in the development late last year.

W. 6TH ST.

WHITE OAK BAYOU

House; Homestead Kitchen & Bar, an all- day breakfast cafe; Honeychild’s Sweet Creams, a locally crafted frozen custard stand popular at farmers markets; and Mendocino Farms, an expanding Los Angeles-based sandwich and salad shop Services: Treadwell, a salon and wellness studio for men; Huemn, a wellness clinic oering cryotherapy and other services; and the Heights-based and locally owned Union Studio Yoga Retail shops: Pasadena-based women’s clothing boutique Anjouil’s, Houston jewelry boutique Burdlife and a Pedego Electric Bikes shop Popups: Common Assembly, a women’s clothing brand focused on ethical and eco-conscious manufacturing, and June & Co., a women’s clothing store based in Rice Village Oce tenants: accounting rm Miller Grossbard Advisors, private oil and gas rm XCL Resources, Houston-based secure le-sharing software company Smart Vault and marketing agency Decode Digital

Tenants are slated to begin moving into MKT later this year.

COURTESY TRITEN REAL ESTATE PARTNERS

FEATURED IMPACT COMING SOON Construction at the M-K-T development in the Heights was expected to hit a milestone at the end of August as most exterior work wraps up and interior tenant build- outs continue through the rest of 2020. To date, the project has signed on close to 20 tenants, including two pop-up concepts, according to Triten Real Estate Partners. The M-K-T is adapting the former

business park at 500 N. Shepherd Drive, converting ve buildings into a 200,000-square-foot, pedestrian- friendly retail mall and oce park. Some oce tenants could begin moving later this year, with retail and restaurants possibly able to open in late 2020 or early 2021. TENANTS CONFIRMED FOR MKT: Food & beverage: da Gama Canteen, an Indian cafe and wine bar; the paleo, ketogenic and plant-based meal prep kitchen Elite F’ing Meals; the Heights Ice

HOME ENHANCEMENT | FULL SERVICE REMODELING | HOUSTON , TEXAS TILE • COUNTERTOPS • WOOD FLOORING • CARPET • CABINETRY • SINKS • LIGHTING • PLUMBING • APPLIANCES • HARDWARE

MC SUR FAC E S , I NC .

LOOKING TO ENHANCE YOURHOME?

WITH NEARLY 30 YEARS IN THE HOME SURFACES INDUSTRY, WE HAVE EXPERIENCED ESTIMATORS, PROJECT MANAGERS AND CONTRACTORS READY TO HELP YOU TACKLE ANY JOB. CONTACT US FOR AN APPOINTMENT 450 LOCKHAVEN DRIVE, HOUSTON, TX | 281-784-1700 WWW.MCSURFACESINC.COM | INFO@MCSURFACES.COM

FINANCING AVAILABLE

HEIGHTS RIVER OAKS MONTROSE EDITION • SEPTEMBER 2020

TRANSPORTATIONUPDATES

COMPILED BY MATT DULIN

Richmond corridor included in updated transit development guidelines

610

Northwest Transit Center

Transit station Transit-oriented development corridor NEWAPPROACH FOR NEWDEVELOPMENTS

Building projects along Richmond Avenue and other streets will be able to opt into new transit-friendly design rules.

OLD KATY RD.

527

KIRBY DR.

288

610

Westpark/Lower Uptown Transit Center

SAGE RD.

RICHMOND AVE.

MONTROSE BLVD.

release about the project. Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects led the development of the concept. Starting in September, one lane of Memorial Drive in each direction will be closed through fall 2021 while a new section of roadway and tunnel structures are constructed just south of Memorial Drive. Timeline: fall 2020-2022 Cost: $70 million Funding sources: Memorial Park Conservancy, the Kinder Foundation, Uptown Development Authority Newbus rapid transit service goes live Houston’s rst bus rapid transit line began service Aug. 23. The METRORapid Silver Line connects the Northwest andWest- park/Lower Uptown transit centers with eight stops along the way. The service uses rail-platform-like stations at stops, wider doors and level boarding. The cost to ride is $1.25 each way. Buses arrive every 10 minutes from 5 a.m. to midnight. As with other transit trips, all riders are required to wear face masks.

288

SHEPHERD DR.

Side or rear lots with reduction in parking minimums

Dedicated pedestrian realms, with safety buer

SOURCE: CITY OF HOUSTONCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER 3 NEW GUIDELINES

A set of guidelines touted as a “paradigm shift” toward more tran- sit-friendly and walkable develop- ments is slated to take eect Oct. 1. “We are literally changing how people move about in the city of Houston,” Mayor Sylvester Turner said ahead of the Aug. 5 vote approv- ing the measures. New transit-oriented development guidelines will apply to high-capacity transit corridors—those connected to light rail and bus rapid transit lines. For Richmond Avenue and streets

Trees and fences must meet certain requirements

within a half-mile of transit stops there, these guidelines will be optional. When Richmond is redevel- oped into a bus rapid transit line by the Metropolitan Transit Authority of Harris County sometime in the next 20 years, these guidelines would become mandatory. The Planning Commission will nalize the corridor map Sept. 17.

The City Council also approved a set of standards for Walkable Places pilot areas, including Midtown. The policies also create a path for property owners or the city to establish new Walkable Places. Both sets of guidelines regulate the parking lots, sidewalks, driveways and building site plans to encourage pedestrian-friendly access.

UPCOMING PROJECT To support the new land bridge, Memorial Drive will be rerouted through newly constructed tunnels, allowing a natural connection between the two sides of the park.

Memorial Park Land Bridge Construction will soon be underway on Memorial Park’s 100-acre land bridge across Memorial Drive, which will tie together the north and south sections of the park, bolster the area’s native prairies and expand its trail network, the Memorial Park Conservancy announced Aug. 10. The project also includes a 45- acre prairie restoration. The conservancy also said the project will have drainage benets by oering detention and a stream channel to act as a “green sponge, helping to absorb and clean stormwater,” according to a news

W. MEMORIAL LOOP DR.

MEMORIAL PARK

N. PICNIC LANE TO BE REMOVED

ALL INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE WAS UPDATED AS OF AUG. 31. NEWS OR QUESTIONS ABOUT THESE OR OTHER LOCAL TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS? EMAIL US AT HRMNEWSCOMMUNITYIMPACT.COM.

COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

CITY& COUNTY

News from Houston & Harris County

HARRIS COUNTY CORONAVIRUS UPDATES 260 Number of intensive care unit COVID-19 patients, down from a peak of 841 on July 18 1,043.6 Seven-day rolling average of daily new cases, down from a peak of 1,701.4 on Aug. 3 9.7% Seven-day rolling average positivity rate, down from a peak of 23.1% on July 6 889,768 Total reported COVID-19 tests, up from 512,788 as of July 30 SOURCES: HARRIS COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH, SOUTHEAST TEXAS REGIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL, TEXAS DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES/COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER Vital statistics as of Aug. 31: Houston City Council meets weekly at 1:30 p.m. Tuesdays for public comment and 9 a.m. Wednesdays for regular business at 901 Bagby St., Houston. Meetings are streamed at www.houstontx.gov/htv. Harris County Commissioners Court will next meet at 10 a.m. Sept. 15. MEETINGSWE COVER

Officials bolster funds, plans for voting access

Cityhas onemonth to lift Census figures

ELECTION 2020: DATES TOKNOW Deadline to apply for mail-in ballot: Oct. 23 Mail-in voting deadlines: 7 p.m. Nov. 3 (in-person dropoff), 5 p.m. Nov. 4 (received via mail) Early voting: Oct. 13-30 Election Day: Nov. 3

BY SHAWN ARRAJJ

BY EMMA WHALEN

HARRIS COUNTY Officials committed another chunk of funding Aug. 25 to help prepare for what could be record-breaking turnout in the middle of a pandemic. The new funding—just over $17 million—will help support a $27 million effort that includes 12,000 election workers, and drive-thru voting at 10 locations. The county also wants to send mail-in ballot applications to every registered voter, but state officials have filed suit to block that measure. To be eligible to vote by mail in Texas, a voter must meet one of four qualifications: be age 65 or older, have a disability, be a resident but not able to vote in the county during the election or be in jail but otherwise eligible to vote. The clerk’s office is also expanding the number of early voting locations from the 46 it had in November 2016 to 120 this year to deal with

HOUSTON The city’s census response is lagging behind national and state averages, and local officials are running out of time to address it. Because of the coronavirus pandemic, the national deadline had been extended to Oct. 31, but federal officials announced Aug. 7 that it was scaling back to Sept. 30. With a 54.8% response rate, trailing the national average of 64% and the lowest for a major city in Texas, Houston officials voted Aug. 19 to approve a $175,000 boost to its $1.3 million contract with local advertising firm Lopez Negrete Communications. The firmwas first contracted in May 2019, prior to the coronavirus pandemic, which officials said has hampered the city’s original outreach plans. “When the pandemic hit, those volunteers did not show up,” Mayor Sylvester Turner told City Council.

increases in turnout as well as for social distancing at the polls. The county also plans to operate a record 808 voting locations on Election Day. As part of an effort by the NBA, the Toyota Center will also serve as a voting center. “This is based on math,” interim County Clerk Christopher Hollins told the Harris County Commissioners Court on Aug. 25. “We started from what we expected to be turnout, and we operated from there to understand what we need to do to accommodate those voters in a way that would ... allow voters to cast ballots in timely fashion and in a safe fashion.”

Live video is available at www.harriscountytx.gov.

HEIGHTS - RIVER OAKS - MONTROSE EDITION • SEPTEMBER 2020

NEIGHBORHOODNOTES

COMPILED BY EMMA WHALEN

WHITE OAK BAYOU

W A S H I N G T O N A V E .

BUFFALO BAYOU

288

1 FIRSTWARD Local, state, federal infrastructure proposals converge An upcoming feasibility study on renovating or relocating the Hurricane Harvey-damaged Central Municipal Courts Building in First Ward is the latest in a series of signicant infrastructure proposals in the area. Houston City Council approved a $200,000 allocation for the study Aug. 19 to fulll a requirement for using Federal Emergency Management Agency- designated funds for Harvey-related repairs, Mayor Sylvester Turner said. The study comes alongside the design phases for both the $7 billion overhaul of I-45 led by the Texas Department of Transportation and the $250 million North Canal ood mitigation project led by a combination of local, state and federal ocials. A Houston-Galveston Area Council work group is developing the next steps to attempt to resolve I-45 design issues with TxDOT. Meanwhile, the North Canal Project, which will reroute White Oak Bayou along downtown, could have a design rm chosen by the end of 2020, according to an Aug. 6 brieng. 2 MONTROSE After legal resolution, management district takes steps toward comeback After years of lying dormant, the Montrose Management District could soon resume operations after a legal battle led the district to dissolve its board in 2018. In a letter to the Montrose Tax Increment Reinvestment Zone dated July 9, district board Vice Chair Steve Madden said the board is interested in partnering with the TIRZ to support projects in the area. The management district is restructuring its board, he said, and will conduct community outreach meetings as it develops a service plan with a maximum proposed assessment of $0.10 per $100 of

valuation of commercial properties in the area, as well as a prorated assessment on some mid- and high-rise apartments. If successful, the district could resume services by 2022. The district voted to dissolve its board in 2018 while appealing a county judge’s ruling that the district had improperly assessed some property owners. That case was dismissed by state and county courts after the district and the plaintis agreed to reach a settlement in May 2019.

The Victor Street shotgun home renovations began in mid-August.

3 FOURTHWARD Victor Street home renovations delayed After announcing in October 2019 his plans to rehabilitate the last consecutive row of shotgun homes in Fourth Ward, local developer Neal Dikeman began the project in mid-August. His plans to renovate the homes following strict historic standards aim to honor the history of the Freedmen’s Town neighborhood, which was established by freed slaves after Juneteenth. Dikeman’s plans hit a snag throughout the fall and spring, he said because of permitting delays that also set him back on two of his historic rehabilitations in the Heights. After completing those projects, Dikeman said he had crews begin work on the shotgun homes, which he plans to rent out at market rates. While historically accurate renovations can be expensive, Dikeman said his expertise allows him to do so while keeping costs down.

COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER IS PROUD TO SAY THANK YOU TO OUR SPONSOR

GOLD SPONSOR

Our purpose at Marine Military Academy is to inspire positive academic, physical and moral growth in every cadet. To achieve this, we provide a disciplined, distraction-free setting that allows cadets to focus on their educational and personal development. Throughout this journey, cadets learn to take ownership of their lives and develop the tools they need to succeed not only in college, but in life.

2020 PUBLIC EDUCATION EDITION H O U S T O N I S D S N A P S H O T DISTRICT DATA COMPILED BY MATT DULIN After back-to-back years of enrollment decline, Houston ISD saw its numbers stabilize, but it remains below 2015-16 levels. As the largest district in the state, it has over 11,000 teachers, whose pay rates lag Dallas and San Antonio. SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCYCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER

201920 TEACHER STATS TOTAL NUMBER OF TEACHERS

STUDENT ENROLLMENT

201920SUPERINTENDENT ANNUAL SALARY LARGE URBAN DISTRICT COMPARISON

STARTING TEACHER SALARY

84.4% AUSTIN ISD 80.9% DALLAS ISD 80.9% SAN ANTONIO ISD

RETENTION RATE

2017-18

2016-17

2018-19

2019-20

2015-16

LARGE URBAN DISTRICT COMPARISON

80.9%

FROM 201516 -2.58%

HOWMUCH DO HOMEOWNERS PAY IN SCHOOL TAXES? This chart displays the amount of school district taxes a homeowner would have paid annually over the last four years based on the median home value in the district. FIGURING OUT THE FORMULA AMOUNT PAID = (Home value ÷ 100) x Tax rate 2016-17 2017-18 2018-19 2019-20

201920 ECONOMICALLY DISADVANTAGED STUDENTS 79.14%

60.24%

STATE AVERAGE

$250K $275K $300K $325K $0 $350K

$3,455.59

$3,372.34

201920 ENGLISH LANGUAGE LEARNERS

20.27% 20.26%

TAX RATE PER $100 VALUATION 1.2067

1.2067

1.1367

STATE AVERAGE

HEIGHTS RIVER OAKS MONTROSE EDITION • SEPTEMBER 2020

A N I N S I D E L O O K A T H O U S T O N I S D CAMPUS DEEP DIVE COMPILED BY MATT DULIN Of the more than 20,000 students who attend neighborhood schools in the Heights, River Oaks and Montrose, over 52% are considered economically disadvantaged.

B HOUSTON ISD 2019 RATING

ACCOUNTABILITYRATINGS FOR 2020 AND BEYOND All Texas school districts and campuses will receive a Not Rated: Declared State of Disaster for the 2020 accountability ratings, according to the Texas Education Agency. The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness measures student performance in reading, writing, math, science and social studies. The state has said all students will be required to take the STAAR in 2021, as of press time. Campus ratings are based on several categories, including Student Achievement, School Progress and Closing the Gaps, all of which compare student performance.

OVERALL RATING Exemplary performance Recognized performance Acceptable performance In need of

SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCYCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER

improvement Unacceptable performance

DEMOGRAPHICS

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS 201920 DATA

DEMOGRAPHICS

Feeder schools

MIDDLE SCHOOLS 201920 DATA

1 Browning 2 Crockett*

531 92.1% 0 <10 14 502 0 <10 13 562 64.6% <10 14 62 433 <10 13 37

18 18

Feeder schools

3 Field

434 75.6% 0 0 11 346 0 <10 65 17, 18

16 Black*

1,302 50.6% <10 14 177 808 <10 33 268 22 1,210 81.3% <10 10 93 1,070 <10 <10 30 20

4 Gregory-Lincoln*

718 91.4% <10 <20 446 236 0 <10 23 655 15.1% <10 33 23 228 <10 44 323 487 62.6% 0 <10 38 382 0 <20 49 359 78.3% <10 <10 27 310 0 <10 17

17 Hamilton*

5 Harvard* 6 Helms*

18 17

18 Hogg* 19 Lanier*

1,032 42.7% <10 17 64 702 <10 29 215

1,461 21.9% <10 282 199 431

<10 88 452

7 Love

17, 18

8 Memorial

320 60.3% <10 17 18 231

0 <20 40 18

DEMOGRAPHICS

9 Poe*

844 26.7% <10 77 77 304 <10 67 316 19 636 7.4% 0 207 29 90 0 62 248 19 785 49.8% <10 136 140 295 <10 36 176 19

10 River Oaks*

HIGH SCHOOLS 201920 DATA

11 School At St George Place

12 Sinclair* 13 Travis*

589 33.4% <10 19 42 259 <10 19 245 714 15.5% <10 <30 28 234 0 49 381

16 18

14 Wharton K8 Dual Language* 600 40.2% 0 11

72 396 0 18 103

20 Heights* 21 Lamar* 22 Waltrip*

2,291 64.5% <10 21 250 1,767 <10 24 223 96.5%

15 Wilson Montessori*

602 34.2% <10 42 55 262 <10 30 211

2,807 57.6% <20 164 750 1,039 <10 68 771

93.8%

1,914 69.9% <10 <10 245 1,505 0 17 136 81.1%

*ALSO A MAGNET SCHOOL

$ 10 COUPON

BACK TO SCHOOL IS COMING UP!

We know what it takes. Fundraising for Their Future.

Annual Funding | Capital Campaigns | Enrollment Strategy Let us help your school grow its mission and impact more lives.

EXPIRES 10.31.2020. VALID ONLINE AND IN STORE. NOT REDEEMABLE FOR CASH. MAY NOT BE COMBINED WITH OTHER OFFERS OR USED TOWARDS GIFT CARD PURCHASES. ONE COUPON PER CUSTOMER PER PURCHASE.

WholeEarthProvision.com

Providing a Lifetime of Care

◌ Direct access to your personal physician ◌ Convenient scheduling ◌ No-wait appointments & virtual visits ◌ Exclusive lab discounts ◌ Affordable individual, family, and

small business memberships ◌ Transparent pricing without the need for insurance

721 E 14th St. • www.vidafamilydpc.com • 713.766.4496 SE HABLA ESPAÑOL CALL TODAY AND MEET DR. BERENS

MissionAdvancement.com 888-540-0505

COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Public Education Edition 2020

SELECTION PROCESS

A N I N S I D E LO O K AT D ATA A N D D E M O G R A P H I C S MAGNET SCHOOLS COMPILED BY MATT DULIN As a District of Choice, Houston ISD oers dozens of programs oering specialized opportunities in addition to zoned neighborhood schools. Many have open enrollment into a lottery-style selection process; others require additional qualications. SOURCES: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCYCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER

AR: Academic rating A threshold based on test scores must be met.

AUD: Audition

E/E: Exam or experience Students must pass an exam or have previous experience.

Students must submit a portfolio or performance.

DEMOGRAPHICS

COLLEGECAREER

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

DEMOGRAPHICS

Baylor CollegeOfMedicineAcademy 632 8.9% <10 36 291 271

0 <10 26 -

418 21.8% <10 <10 97 305 0 <10 <10 - 479 8.8% 0 <10 239 225 0 <10 10 - 1,250 18.9% <10 118 92 1,007 <10 <10 29 - 530 3.6% <10 <10 269 230 0 <10 10 AR 1,624 94.5% <10 0 142 1459 <10 <10 11 473 72.7% <10 24 56 346 0 <10 42 AR - 2,784 89.4% <10 110 257 2,386 <10 <10 24 AR 457 86.2% <10 12 13 427 <10 0 <10 AR 467 83.5% <10 <10 93 355 0 <10 11 AR 486 83.7% 0 <10 <50 436 0 0 0 AR 1,480 92.5% <10 <10 195 1,266 0 <10 <10 AR 427 99.1% 0 10 217 189 <10 <10 <10 AR 871 41.8% <10 269 153 311 <10 14 115 AR

Baylor College Of Medicine Biotech Mickey Leland College Prep Sharpstown International School Young Women's College Prep

HIGH SCHOOLS

STEMFUTURES ACADEMY

Austin

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Challenge Early College

825 99.2% 0 <10 37 778 0 0 <10 - 868 94% <10 <10 127 723 0 <10 <10 - 448 94.6% 0 0 <10 439 0 0 <10 - 780 96.5% <10 27 167 572 0 <10 10 - 422 97.2% <10 <10 347 70 0 <10 <10 -

Berry

Chavez Debakey

Cornelius

Davila Elrod

East Early College Law And Justice

Hartseld Herrera Lantrip Lockhart

North Houston Early College

896 97.7% 0 <10 <10 856 0 0 23 699 78.4% <10 <10 33 630 0 <10 27

- -

Northside

South Early College

578 88.1% <10 <10 545 13 <10 <10 <10 -

814 92.8% 0 <10 714 87

Yates

0 <10 <10 AR

395 93.7% <10 0 10 381

Pugh Red

0 0 <10 -

640 68% <10 18 116 398 0 <10 99 - 1,125 65.1% <10 48 479 548 0 <20 30 - 344 99.1% 0 <10 193 145 0 <10 0 -

DEMOGRAPHICS

Rice School /La Escuela Rice

Ross

659 95.1% <10 <10 60 554 0 <10 37 846 89.2% <10 18 369 437 0 <10 13 523 92.5% <10 <10 86 390 0 <10 32

Stevens

- - -

Valley West Wainwright

392 99.5% <10 0 314 64 0 <10 10 - 504 89.1% 0 16 355 116 <10 <10 11 -

Wesley Whidby Clifton Deady Hartman

FINE ARTS

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Atherton

569 99.3% 0 0 439 123 0 <10 <10 - 719 87.1% <10 <10 194 484 0 <10 22 -

< 10 22

622 94.2% 0 <10 99 490 0

Bell

701 96% <10 <10 <10 688 0 0 <10 -

Bruce

435 97.5% 0 <10 296 131

0 <10 0 -

- - -

1,260 96% <10 <10 281 962 <10 0 12 950 98.3% <10 60 130 718 0 <10 33 1,260 83.1% <20 54 345 750 0 <10 92

Burbank Burrus Codwell Cook Jr. Crespo

911 96.5% <10 <10 116 775 0 <10 13

Long Academy

373 96.2% <10 0 249 117

0 <10 <10 -

Revere

401 91.5% <10 0 368 26 <10 0 <10 - 653 98.9% <10 <10 387 242 0 <10 18 - 730 95.9% 0 <10 <10 720 0 0 <10 - 601 93.8% <10 0 140 448 0 <10 <10 - 477 97.9% <10 0 397 74 0 <10 <10 - 733 70.4% <10 58 434 178 <10 13 46 -

1,452 88.8% <10 61 59 1,308 <10 <10 16 -

Stevenson Williams

461 98.7% <10 <10 220 231

0 <10 <10 -

Energy Institute HIGH SCHOOLS

Garden Villas

741 48.3% <10 27 206 363 0 <10 133 AR 1,125 95.7% <10 <10 188 905 0 <10 20 -

Kashmere Gardens

Furr

Longfellow

830 97.6% <10 0 505 303 0 <10 15 2,060 92.9% <10 <10 75 1,950 0 <10 17

- -

Kashmere

- - -

671

Lovett

31.1% <10 63 157 171

0 <10 251

Milby

520 73.3% <10 <10 353 133 0 17 12 912 42.2% <10 <40 137 418 0 41 281

MacGregor

752 95.9% <10 <10 148 578 <10 <10 16 AR

Scarborough

Parker

1 8 AR

1,538 93.4% <10 <10 722 781 819 94.7% <10 0 384 421

Sterling

0 11

925 91% 0 <10 61 848 0 0 <20 - 437 91.8% 0 0 <10 423 0 0 <10 -

Patterson Scroggins

Booker T. Washington

0 <10 11

2,857 54% <10 199 821 1,280 <10 39 507 -

Westside

MIDDLE SCHOOLS

Fleming

438 96.1% <10 0 283 151

0 <10 <10 -

DEMOGRAPHICS

Key

640 95% <10 0 338 286 0 <10 12 AUD 1,330 95.5% <10 <10 483 824 <10 <10 <10 AUD 750 95.3% <10 0 121 619 0 <10 <10 AUD 1,476 60.2% <10 22 495 770 <10 19 167 AUD 1,107 96.6% 0 23 201 870 0 <10 <10 - 1,785 50.4% <10 123 602 679 <10 31 343 - 650 94.6% <10 13 283 339 0 <10 13 AUD 794 16.9% <10 73 133 217 <10 31 336 AUD 2,402 87.7% <10 31 751 1,556 <10 16 44 AUD

Lawson Marshall Meyerland

Ortiz

INTERNATIONAL LANGUAGES ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Pershing

Welch

Kinder HSPVA HIGH SCHOOLS

407 53.6% 0 19 94 109 0 15 170 - 687 21.4% <10 66 85 180 0 <10 328 - 702 25.2% 0 294 109 126 <10 <70 109 E/E

Arabic Immersion

Kolter

Westbury

Mandarin Immersion MIDDLE SCHOOLS HIGH SCHOOLS Pin Oak

DEMOGRAPHICS

1,254 35.2% <10 189 102 466 0 <50 451

3,450 46.9% <10 443 723 1,417 <10 70 782 E/E 497 65.6% <10 14 180 267 0 <10 30 AR 1,829 95% <10 54 330 1,408 0 <10 32 AR

Bellaire

Academy For International Studies

VANGUARDGIFTED ANDTALENTED ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

Sharpstown

DEMOGRAPHICS

938 68.6% <10 92 370 321

Askew Carrillo

0 <30 128 E/E

533 85.6% 0 <10 <10 510 0 <10 12 E/E 571 91.2% 0 <10 <10 558 0 0 <10 E/E 811 48.5% <10 61 205 327 0 <10 189 E/E 890 14.7% <10 35 41 286 <10 41 482 E/E 603 78.6% <10 <10 29 556 0 <10 13 E/E 90% <10 <10 241 474 <10 <10 <10 E/E 732

De Zavala

Herod

Oak Forest Roosevelt

MONTESSORI

Windsor Village MIDDLE SCHOOLS T. H. Rogers School HIGH SCHOOLS Burbank Carnegie Vanguard

ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS

425 99.1% <10 <10 365 51

Blackshear

0 <10 0 -

1,538 96.2% <10 <10 71 1,451

0 0 12 E/E

849 39.2% <10 24 48 457 <10 41 273 E/E 602 34.2% <10 42 55 262 <10 30 211 E/E

Garden Oaks Montessori Wilson Montessori

1,015 22.6% <10 471 128 204 <10 51 157 E/E

E/E

854 30.3% <10 255 88 282 <10 34 191

HEIGHTS RIVER OAKS MONTROSE EDITION • SEPTEMBER 2020

MARINE MILITARY ACADEMY

GIVE YOUR SON THE EXTRA EDGE!

At Marine Military Academy, challenge leads to growth, and growth leads to success. By providing a college-preparatory curriculum in a structured, disciplined and focused setting, our cadets rise to new heights as scholars and leaders. No other school can unlock a boy’s potential like MMA.

Check out www.MMA-TX.org for a presentation near you!

MMA »» A College-Prep Boarding School

for Boys in Grades 7-12 320 Iwo Jima Blvd. »» Harlingen, TX 78550

MMA »»

MMA-TX.ORG »» 956.423.6006 ADMISSIONS@MMA-TX.ORG

COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

GUIDE

Public Education Edition 2020

A sample of local resources for virtual schoolwork and more

Online& on-site

District resources Houston ISD is providing ongoing support to parents throughout the school year. CONTACTS TO KNOW HISD @H.O.M.E. Hotline: 713-556-INFO (4636) IT Service Desk: servicedesk@houstonisd.org 713-892-7378 Academic support: academics@houstonisd.org

610

290

3A 20TH ST.

20TH ST.

LEARNING RESOURCES

11TH ST.

COMPILED BY EMMA WHALEN

Drop-in learning centers 1 Boys and Girls Club of Greater Houston In the expanded Blue Labs program, students can receive supervised daytime remote instruction and after-school programming. The centers adhere to federal guidelines with mask requirements, temperature checks and frequent hand-washing. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 7:30 a.m.-5:30 p.m. Cost: $30 registration Heights: 1520 Airline Drive, Houston 7138627404 • www.bgcgh.org 2 YMCA Select YMCA locations are oering classroom space. Counselors and certied teachers are on hand in a 19 teacher-student ratio to assist. Students follow a schedule with a morning virtual learning session, afternoon academic enrichment and after-school care if needed. Full- and half-day options are avail- able, separated by a lunch break. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 811 a.m., noon-3 p.m., 36 p.m. Cost: $35 per child per day (morning), $20 per child per day (afternoon), $15 per child per day (after care), $60 per child per day (full day) 7101 Stella Link Road, Houston 7136649622 • www.ymcahouston.org Huntington Learning Center Students can participate in online tutoring sessions or work on their virtual learning cur- riculum in person at the Huntington Learning Center. Teachers proctor students through schoolwork. Kindergarten through third-grade Parents returning to work can drop o stu- dents at virtual learning centers with super- visors to assist in online classes. Some after school enrichment centers have also adapted to oer virtual and in-person support.

KANE ST.

L D R .

PARENT UNIVERSITY WEBINAR SCHEDULE

Cost: varies by program 4299 San Felipe St., Ste. 210, Houston 7137846610 • www.shumskycenter.com 7 Multicultural Education and Counsel- ing through the Arts Houston The MECA School is oering after-school programs in reduced sizes. Students can par- ticipate in traditional dance such as ballet folk- lorio and modern hip-hop as well as mariachi violin lessons. MECA also oers after-school tutoring and test prep. Hours: 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Cost: $40 per hour (tutoring), $55 per month (dance and music) 1900 Kane St., Houston 7138029370 • www.houston-meca.org April 20, 5 p.m.: Supporting Your Child’s Social and Emotional Needs Access webinars via www.houstonisd.org/parentuniversity. Sept. 15, 5 p.m.: 2020-21 School Year 101 Oct. 20, 5 p.m.: Family Engagement Nov. 17, 5 p.m.: Digital Citizenship Jan. 19, 5 p.m.: School Level(s) Transitions Feb. 16, 5 p.m.: Non-Academic Support Oered in HISD

BELLAIRE BLVD.

288

BISSONNET ST.

STELLA LINK RD.

Enrichment programs Kumon Math and Reading Center

students have a ratio of two students to one teacher, and fourth grade and up have six students to one teacher. Students bring their own school supplies. Hours: Mon.-Thu. 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m., Sat.

After-school programming provider Kumon Math and Reading Center oers individualized tutoring in one-hour sessions with person- alized take-home assignments. The center is following updated health and sanitation guidelines and allowing students to work in person with tutors. Hours: River Oaks: Mon., Thu. 3:307 p.m.; Wed. 26 p.m.; Sat. 9:30 a.m.-1 p.m.; Heights: Mon., Thu. 3:307 p.m. Cost: varies by program 5A River Oaks: 3425 S. Shepherd Drive, Ste. 230, Houston • 7135236284 5B Heights: 2500 Yale St., Ste. A, Houston 7138692633 • www.kumon.com 6 The Shumsky Center for Academic and Career Performance Students can register for after-school oerings for SAT and ACT preparation, college and private school admission preparation, and general tutoring. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 10 a.m.-9 p.m., Sat. 9 a.m.-9 p.m.

9 a.m.-1 p.m. Cost: varies 3A 5307 N. Main St., Houston 2811806002

3B 2726 Bissonnet St., Ste. 300, Houston 8328344755 • www.huntingtonhelps.com 4 Zenith Learning After-school programming providers Zenith Learning and Future Stars of Houston are teaming up to oer learning pods. Zenith provides teachers, supplies and facilitation at the Future Stars of Houston site on North Shepherd Drive. Parents can sign up on an as-needed, hourly basis with extended care options available as well. Hours: Mon.-Fri. 6 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Cost: $20 per hour (rst child), $12 per hour (additional children) 707 N. Shepherd Drive, Ste. 200, Houston 2149803170 • www.zenithlearning.org

• FREE, Confiden�al & Fast Walk-in HIV/STI Tes�ng • Same-Day PrEP for the Preven�on of HIV • 8 Convenient Loca�ons • No Appointment Needed Legacy is taking extra safety measures to help protect against COVID-19!

LegacyCommunityHealth.org | (713) 814 3300

HEIGHTS RIVER OAKS MONTROSE EDITION • SEPTEMBER 2020

CONTINUED FROM 1

Financial equity: Per-pupil spending, including Title I and grants

Student supports: Counseling, social/ emotional resources

WHAT WILL BE STUDIED? HOW WILL THE EQUITY PROJECT WORK?

2020-21

PLANS FOR PROGRESS

4 WAYS

APPROACHING EQUITY The Equity Project will attempt to marshall data and insights to guide the district’s short- and long-range strategies for closing educational gaps.

1. Researchers meet with HISD ocials. Specic research questions, data needs, and a theory of action will be developed to guide the use of study ndings.

2. Research briefs are compiled. Depending on the topic, research can include briefs, one- page summaries and presentations.

HISD HAS PROGRESSED The district has confronted inequities on several

The ndings on the rst few topics are expected to be released this fall. More will be released throughout the year with major completion by summer 2021. 3. The results of each study are shared publicly. Findings will be shared on the Equity Project’s website: www.houstonisd.org/equityproject .

fronts, from pre-K to college readiness and most recently COVID-19.

Ensuring that all students receive the resources, supports, and opportunities they need to achieve success in school, career, and life. SOURCE: HOUSTON ISDCOMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER

HOW IS HISD DEFINING ‘EQUITY’?

HISD looking toundoendemic inequalities outcome-based data that said, ‘OK, if I take this decision, this is what it’s going to achieve for my students.’” Inprogress BY MATT DULIN & HUNTER MARROW

ideally you have everyone thinking about it, and some- one who takes ownership at a high level to keep equity top of mind come budget season and other key decisions.” For example, the district could oer additional fund- ing for targeting equity goals, said Catherine Horn, the chair of the University of Houston’s Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. “The healthiest district eco- systems are those that create wonderful interactive eco- systems that have the most up-to-date information on what teachers and parents are experiencing,” Horn said. Ultimately, the data from the studies will inform mul- tiple strategies, Sung said. In the short term, the study will also attempt to address the eects of COVID-19. “Everyone wants the one thing—the quick x,” Sung said. “The reality is we need to do many things really well to make a dierence. ... If it was an easy solution, we would have done it already.” Acollectivecall HISD ocials also said they hope the study can prompt wider community participation. “We don’t want this just to be some obscure study. We want the community engaged,” Cruz said. The challenge will be gal- vanizing a vision for what

struggle to reach higher state ratings, and the COVID-19 pandemic has made economic gaps glaringly obvious. These mounting challenges have prompted the district’s Equity Project, a comprehen- sive eort to understand how it can meet the needs of stu- dents and improve outcomes. It was formally approved in February. The project will in some ways represent a culmina- tion of eorts with the Hous- ton Education Research Consortium, a longtime dis- trict collaborator based at Rice University, said Rick Cruz, HISD’s superintendent for strategy and innovation. The HERC has already conducted studies looking at closing edu- cational gaps. “What we want to do is bring it all together into a cohesive framework so we truly understand what needs to happen,” Cruz said. Theneed From racial and ethnic dis- parities to socioeconomic forces to special education needs, the district faces chal- lenges that exist throughout the state, only magnied. About 8 out of every 10 HISD students are econom- ically disadvantaged—eligi- ble for free or reduced-price lunch—far above the state

average of about 6 in 10. Put another way, all but 30 out of 280 schools have a majority of its students fac- ing economic disadvantages before they even enter the classroom. Despite receiving an over- all B rating under the state’s accountability system in 2018- 19, more than half of HISD students, including 60% of its high schoolers, attended a school rated C or lower. The district’s graduation rate also lags behind the state—about 85% compared to 92%. And even though the dis- trict has reduced the number of schools failing to meet state standards every year since 2012—thanks in large part to a program called Achieve 180—the performance of one school in 2019 put HISD in the throes of a possible state take- over. A lawsuit in response to the takeover is pending in an appeals court. On the campus level, school leaders struggle with charting the best course of action to address their students’ needs each year. “You would take decisions, budgetary or even otherwise, thinking that that’s what equity is,” said Jyoti Malhan, a former principal who is helping lead the equity proj- ect for the district. “But then there was no evidence or

For an hour, sometimes more, Ariel Batiste rode the bus to Lamar High School each morning. There, she had a packed schedule with International Baccalaureate courses, marching band and other after-school activities. Then she was back on the bus to her home in North Houston. “It was rough. …Therewere some 16-hour days,” Batiste said. “And my younger sister was with me. It was a family operation.” At Lamar, she was selected to apply to participate in Emerge, a college-readiness accelerator targeting students based on academic perfor- mance and economic status. Agraduate of Lamar, Batiste went on to get a bachelor’s degree from the University of Southern California, and she is now attending Howard Uni- versity for a law degree. She is one of hundreds of students given a chance at life-chang- ing success through Emerge, which is one of a constellation of programs HISD has oered to deliver better outcomes for its students. But despite these eorts, thousands of students do not graduate high school in four or six years, half of its schools

At least 10 consortium researchers will work on the project, said Erin Baumgart- ner, the HERC’s associate director for HISD research and relations. The HERC’s previous research with HISD will be reviewed and compiled along with wholly new studies, Baumgartner said. The goal is to havemost of this work com- pleted by 2021, but the work will not stop there. “The study we’re doing right now is not the be-all and end-all,” she said. “It’s a start- ing point. We’re focusing on a handful of topic areas in the rst year while recognizing that this is something that’ll be going on past this year.” Findings for pre-K educa- tion will be among the rst to be released as part of the project, along with ndings on school discipline and a deep dive into the characteristics of teachers within the district. Turning reports into action- able plans in a decentralized school district, which grants autonomy to school principals, could prove to be a challenge. “Ideally, you set expecta- tions, provide resources and hold principals accountable for their outcomes,” HISD trustee Anne Sung said. “And

COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM

Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Page 5 Page 6 Page 7 Page 8 Page 9 Page 10 Page 11 Page 12 Page 13 Page 14 Page 15 Page 16 Page 17 Page 18 Page 19 Page 20 Page 21 Page 22 Page 23 Page 24

communityimpact.com