Every June in Daingerfield, the Piney Woods settle into a deep, cicada-buzzing hum. But for me, Father’s Day weekend always smelled like charcoal smoke and the fresh pine shavings in Dad’s old shed over by the railway tracks.
Texas high school students showed improvement in every subject in this spring’s end-of-course STAAR exams, the Texas Education Agency reported. The results include assessments in Algebra I, English I, English II, biology and U.S. history. The biggest improvement was in biology, with 71% of students meeting expectations, up 9%. “These results reflect the hard work of Texas students, educators and families and demonstrate that focused instruction and high expectations continue to produce positive outcomes for students across our state,” said Commissioner Mike Morath. “These results may also be reflective of the legislature’s ban of cell phone use in classrooms, so that students are better able to stay focused on their schoolwork while at school.”
Lost terribly at the family game of cards? Tear up that score card and put it out of your mind. A silly little board game is not worth thinking about and ruining your day. But you know that.
