Lubbock ISD Board Receives Recognition, but is it Deserved?

The Lubbock ISD School Board, along with four other school districts from across the state, has been selected as an  Honor School Board during the School Board Awards Program held by the Texas Association of School Administrators. The schools were selected based on performance, educational improvement projects, commitment to a code of ethics and maintenance of relationships between board members.

LISD was chosen because of the improvement projects currently in progress and the boards “willingness to make tough but necessary decisions, even if they aren’t popular ones.” School boards from Barbers Hill ISD, Copperas Cove ISD, Denton ISD, and Ysleta ISD were also chosen for the honor. The other districts were recognized for their efforts in teacher training programs, student success in the classroom,  and the success of high school graduates.

I'm not a fan of LISD. I went there throughout my grade-school career, and while I received a fair education in elementary and junior high schools, my education in high school was patchy at best. I'm surprised and slightly angry that the LISD school board was named an "Honorary" School Board because I frankly don't think they've earned it yet. Barely getting a bond past voters to make physical improvements to the campuses while still desperately failing to meet even  minimum standards of education isn't really something to brag about. Making kids wear name tags won't help if their teachers are talking on cell phones instead of lecturing. I've been taught with a "Smart Board" before. It still didn't help me pass Algebra II.

LISD needs to start concentrating on their teachers and their teaching skills. The school board needs to provide a strong base on which teachers can stand instead of sticking them in a room with thirty-five  snotty high school kids and saying "good luck, here's a Smart Board." Fluffy honors like the one they received today doesn't change reality: Lubbock ISD is in a bad rut, and technology isn't going to bail them out of it. Once Lubbock students' grades are acceptable, I'll feel comfortable giving the board their due praise.