Seventy-five percent of Dallas public schools have failed the federal No Child Left Behind annual progress test.
Dallas school officials say the federal passing standards increased for the fourth year in a row. And the federal minimum standard is almost equal to the state’s “exemplary” rating. Superintendent Mike Miles says he is all for accountability for student performance, but also for “reasonable expectations and fair evaluations.”
Fort Worth ISD also failed the annual progress report. Superintendent Walter Dansby calls the federal standard a moving target, and says students are making “important gains.”
Seventy percent of all Texas school districts failed the No Child Left Behind test.
BJ Austin, KERA News
American Pilots Union President Resigns
The president of the Allied Pilots Association, Cpt. David Bates has abruptly resigned after pilots overwhelmingly rejected American Airlines’ latest contract offer. Bates had encouraged approval of the tentative agreement.
In his letter of resignation, Bates says he’s stepping down at the request of the APA Board of Directors. Bates said given yesterday’s vote he concluded that continuing to serve as APA president was not in the interest of the pilots he was charged to lead.
BJ Austin, KERA News
Komen president resigning, founder shifting roles
The president of Susan G. Komen for the Cure is resigning and founder Nancy Brinker is moving away from day-to-day management as fallout from the foundation's brief decision to end Planned Parenthood funding reaches its highest ranks.
Komen issued a statement Wednesday saying President Liz Thompson will leave next month and Brinker will assume a role more focused on fundraising and strategic planning.
It's the latest fallout since news emerged in January that Komen decided to eliminate its funding for Planned Parenthood. Komen reversed that decision after a three-day firestorm, but it didn't quell the criticism.
At least five other high-ranking executives also have resigned.
Gas Prices Zip Higher
Texans are paying 13 cents more for gasoline this week. The latest AAA-Texas survey puts the average statewide cost of a gallon of regular unleaded at $3.46.
Dallas-Fort Worth drivers are paying about six cents more, the most expensive in the state.
Dallas-based oil and gas analyst Mike Breard says we’re likely to see higher prices for the rest of August as family vacations increase demand. And there are a couple of other reasons.
“You have the refinery fire in California. And then a week-or-so-ago you had that pipeline spill in the upper Midwest,” said Breard. “So, those are specific things that will influence gas prices.”
Texans are paying about $49 to fill a typical 14-gallon tank.
BJ Austin, KERA News
Weatherford sailor killed in Afghanistan
Military officials say a sailor from North Texas has been killed in a bombing in Afghanistan.
The Defense Department on Wednesday identified the Navy casualty as Petty Officer 3rd Class Clayton R. Beauchamp of Weatherford, Texas. DOD says Beauchamp was on patrol in the Shaban District of the Helmand Province when his unit came under attack. Beauchamp was killed Tuesday. Further details on the incident were not immediately released.
He was assigned to 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 6, 1st Marine Division (Forward), I Marine Expeditionary Force (Forward) at Camp Pendleton, Calif.
AP