DALLAS ISD

Posted by Dallas_Teacher @ 5:34 PM Fri, Feb 08, 2008

As a teacher at Skyline I just want to say that Dean English; although not always the easiest person to work with; always, always, always has the best interests of the students at heart. I would be stunned to find out that grades were changed behind Mr. Stine's back as he alleges. There is absolutely no doubt in my mind that Mr. English handled this situation exactly as he stated. This is a man who has worked tirelessly and with great personal investment in the future stability and effectiveness of Skyline Center and ALL of its students. There is no question in my mind as to the character and integrity the Dean has displayed. He has a tremendous dedication both to the students and to his profession.

Has Channel 8 discussed with Mr. Stine the reasons he was put on leave? I think they might be interested in the whole story on this one!

Posted by dallasisdmom @ 6:13 PM Fri, Feb 08, 2008

I will have to echo the thoughts of Dallas_Teacher. My experience with Dr. English as the Dean at Hillcrest shows him to be a concerned and caring administrator with the best interest of his students at heart.

My question is this: Why isn't Mr. Stine still at Skyline teaching Media Technology? Why is Mr. Stine still employed with the district? It would seem that such a curriculum field would be an extremely "niche" market.

Posted by Tawnell Hobbs @ 6:29 PM Fri, Feb 08, 2008

There are still many unanswered questions. DISD spokesman Jon Dahlander told me this afternoon that Stine has been reassigned to Lang Middle School. DISD is tight lipped as to why he was on leave prior to his reassignment. I've heard that it had nothing to do with the grade change allegation.

Posted by Kathleen Weaver @ 7:23 PM Fri, Feb 08, 2008

I spent several years at Hillcrest High School working with Mr. English when he was Dean there. Along the others who commented in his favor, I believe his statement, and am wondering what ax Mr. Stine has to grind.

Mr. English was always firm AND fair to both students and staff.

Posted by theSKY'Sthelimit @ 8:49 PM Fri, Feb 08, 2008

I would bet everyone has caught Ward English on a bad day, but you would be hard pressed to find anyone who would question his dedication to children first and foremost. There have been people interrogated over this issue for months so there has to be plenty more information that wasn't shared. I wish Mr. Shipp would have presented the whole explanation rather than showing us just enough to slant his story. I'll be suspect of his reporting from now on.

Posted by texdocbay @ 9:43 PM Fri, Feb 08, 2008

cei index values have been used for years by disd administrators to place low performing teachers where they could do the least damage

it is proven that the damage done by one low cei teacher can take a high cei teacher up tp three years to rectify

the sad oint is that one low cei teacher can cause a student to fall behind and if a child has a low cei teacher for consecutive years then eventually that child will be so far behind that they will never catch up

the truth is that a disd parent with the cei information concerning the list of teachers a child had could prove that the academic performance of their child had been delayed or permanently damaged through a series of substandard teaching with the knowledge of the district administration. a legal challenge could be made to this practice

Posted by Jennifer Jackson @ 12:39 AM Sat, Feb 09, 2008

I do not work in DISD, nor have I ever worked there. I have, however, known and worked with Ward English for several years, and the previous positive comments certainly sound like the Ward English that I've always known. My district requested his services as our District One-Act Play contest manager many times, and much of what I've learned about fairness and positive academic experiences for students, I learned from Dr. English. I cannot believe that he would be a party to cheating in any form. In my opinion, he is a man of unquestionable integrity, and DISD is lucky to have him.

Posted by arrahh! @ 4:25 PM Sat, Feb 09, 2008

It is really sickening when the media puts the integrity of such a good person on the line in the interest of delivering a "juicy" story. Mr. English is one of the most credible people that I have ever met. The values and standards that he instilled in me and all of the many other students that he taught twenty five years ago, are ones that he, himself has always exhibited. It would be great if these stories were told in their entirety and not just feed to the public in self-interesting bits and pieces. We constantly hear of the lack of quality teachers and administrators, yet we still see the good ones with their heads on the chopping blocks.

Posted by Waiting to Hear the Truth @ 8:36 PM Sat, Feb 09, 2008

Mr. English can state the facts as he pleases. The fact is that he did not follow DISD Board Policy. Refer to Board Policy FNG (Legal) which states:

"An examination or course grade issued by a classroom teacher is final and may not be changed unless the grade is arbitrary, erroneous, or not consistent with the District’s grading policy applicable to the grade, as determined by the Board of the District in which the teacher is employed."

DISD has an established process for changing a grade. This process including paperwork documentation was not followed. My quesions are as follows:

1. Since when did Mr. English have the right to suspend Board Policy for expediency?

2. Why did he arbitrarily change the grades to a 75? Why not a 76? Why not a 100?

3. Why is DISD so intent on bending the facts? Mr. Stine was the teacher of the class for 2/3 or more of the six weeks. He was the instructor who assigned the grades. Mr. English changed them without his permission and in violation of Board policy. Why the cover-up?

4. Why was Mr. Stine retaliated against when he reported the grade change?

5. Why was Mr. English allowed to chair the hearing process in which Mr. Stine's complaints were heard by the district? Is this not a violation of due process?

6. Why was Mr. Stine provided a letter in August stating that he had been terminated in May? How unusual! Why was Board Policy in regard to contracts and employee rights not followed?

7. Why was Mr. Stine reinstated after an investigation of Mr. English's failure to follow Board Policy if Mr. English has operated properly.

8. Why is the latest investigation into Mr. English's actions not available to the public? His actions have been under investigation for the last two months. The report has been completed by now.

9. Why doesn't someone ask for Mr. English's e-mails from March 1, 2007 to June 31, 2007? They are public documents subject to open records requirements!

10. Why is Mr. English stating that there were no athletes in the courses when Mr. Stine's documentation clearly shows such to be the case?

11. Why does Mr. English apparently feel that attacking the character of Mr. Stine will justify Mr. English's action? Has he never heard that discrediting the messenger still does not discredit the message?

DISD needs to release copies of the latest investigation into these affairs. They need to do it now!

The truth is going to come out!

Posted by Dallas Teacher @ 9:33 PM Sat, Feb 09, 2008

I know and the faculty knows why Mr Stine had to leave Skyline and it didn't have anything to do with grade changes! His radio/TV time has damage the reputation of honest and dedicate faculty. You need to get the whole story.

Posted by MizBennett @ 1:36 PM Sun, Feb 10, 2008

To: Waiting to hear the Truth,

RE: 3. Why is DISD so intent on bending the facts? Mr. Stine was the teacher of the class for 2/3 or more of the six weeks. He was the instructor who assigned the grades. Mr. English changed them without his permission and in violation of Board policy. Why the cover-up?

excerpted from Dr. English's letter: "At grading time, it was explained to him by his mentor that our practice was not to give failing grades to students that had been with a substitute a major portion of the grading period, but to give them passing grades and benefit of the doubt, because they were just now getting adjusted to a new teacher and the new teacher’s expectations. When grade sheets were posted, however, it was brought to my attention that a number of his students received failing grades. At that time I had a meeting with Mr. Stine, his mentor, and his department chair. We discussed the reasons for not failing the students, and all four of us left the meeting in agreement that the grades should be changed."

Mr. Stine was not the teacher for 2/3 of the grading period. The substitute was the teacher for 2/3 of the grading period. This had nothing to do with athlete status or not. It had to do with having a sub for four weeks.

Re: 7. Why was Mr. Stine reinstated after an investigation of Mr. English's failure to follow Board Policy if Mr. English has operated properly.

I'm wondering why he's still getting paid by the district to sign in and go home.

The truth is certainly going to come out. This former teacher seems to be trying to get his fifteen minutes in the spotlight.

Posted by Maria Villalobos @ 3:32 PM Sun, Feb 10, 2008

Dear Waiting:

Has Mr. Stine shared his documentation with you? He should not be showing anyone anything with regard to personal student information. This would be inappropriate.

How are you aware of this investigation? Are the particulars of the investigation a public matter at this point? How do you know how long it has been going on? I thought these matters were private.

I don't think Mr. English has attacked Mr. Stine's character, in fact it is the opposite.

Posted by Washington Irving @ 9:22 PM Sun, Feb 10, 2008

Wow. Reassigned, huh? What does a person have to do to get fired at Dallas ISD?

Posted by Maria Villalobos @ 10:58 PM Sun, Feb 10, 2008

Some folks are fired that should get another chance. Some people are fired that should be.

People go away from campus that aren't fired. That boggles the mind. They get reassigned. Killing someone, doing something inappropriate with an underage person, and getting busted for drugs are sure-fire ways of getting removed from duty. Changing your own child's grades or the grades of that child's friends is pretty wrong. Some folks who should be fired are held over because they have connections or legal leverage.

People retaliating because they were justly admonished is wrong and not honest. "You called me on my "stuff" and it makes me mad, so I'm gonna get you back." That's wrong too.

This whole issue is a computer virus. It's like one of those horrible emails that asks you to forward something to a million people. It takes up time and bandwidth, and if you check it out on Snopes, it is a hoax.

Posted by Chris @ 11:19 PM Sun, Feb 10, 2008

Washington Irving...I'm not sure that DISD has ever fired anyone. I think that those who lie, cheat, or steal first get a paid vacation, followed by re-assignment, followed by a job in local administration, followed by a position within DISD headquarters, whereafter they are promoted to the TEA.

Apparently, upon learning of the Peter Principle, the DISD officials took Peter out back and beat him to death.

Posted by fred @ 10:02 AM Mon, Feb 11, 2008

"Lang" Middle School???

Posted by Tawnell Hobbs @ 1:13 PM Mon, Feb 11, 2008

Fred, Lang opened last year and is named for former DISD administrator Harold Wendell Lang Sr.

Posted by Marie @ 1:16 PM Mon, Feb 11, 2008

Fred-that was probably meant to be Long M.S.

Posted by Tawnell Hobbs @ 1:20 PM Mon, Feb 11, 2008

Marie, check out my earlier post about the name. You all aren't the first ones to be stumped on that one.

Posted by Chris @ 1:29 AM Tue, Feb 12, 2008

Yeah, the name of the school's important!
What about the cheating and people getting fired?
Are we changing the subject?

Posted by Waiting to Hear the Truth @ 12:51 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008

To: MizBennet, English, & Friends

The truth will come out!!! You can attempt to discredit Mr. Stine all you please. He gave the grades. He was the teacher. Athletes were in the class! Board Policy was not followed!

The second DISD investigation is coming! Mr. Stine was retaliated against for reporting this unfortunate incident.

I deeply resent the statements about looking out for students! Those who truly care about students understand that you must do the work in order to pass. Assualt me all you want! Something is wrong with your values! The Texas legislature obviously disagrees with you! No Pass - No Play!!!

All this talk about abandoning a TAKS station? Such would have been reported to the State. There would be stacks and stacks of documented action. Nothing can be found! Someone is covering up the truth!

Assualt Mr. Stine all you want! I know who has bad values! I know who has not followed DISD policy! Shame on Mr. English!

Posted by Waiting to Hear the Truth @ 4:50 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008

I issue the following challenges to Mr. English since Mr. Stine has provided his documentation to WFAA Channel 8 News.

1. Provide the public a copy of the latest investigation of your activities in regard to the treatment of Mr. Stine. We would like to see what DISD's own investigator had to say about your actions.

2. Since you assert that Mr. Stine is a poor teacher. Produce copies of your official reviews of his classroom teaching. These are required by law are they not? You should have copies of them.

3. Since you state that Mr. English approved the grade changes, produce the grade change form in which he agreed to the changes.

4. Explain to us why Mr. Stine was reinstated in November following a DISD investigation of your action in terminating him.

Quit talking and produce some documentation. WFAA Channel 8 will give your documentation the same fair and complete review they gave Mr. Stine's.

Posted by MizBennett @ 5:40 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008

Dear Waiting:

Is it legal to publicly display confidential personnel matters?

Who knows why Mr. Stine was reinstated. Perhaps you should ask 3700 Ross that question.

Posted by Tawnell Hobbs @ 6:00 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008

MizBennett, Mr. Stine refused to answer to direct allegations. But he says he was never terminated, and therefore did not need to be reinstated.

Posted by Waiting to Hear the Truth @ 6:22 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008

To: Miz Bennett

Many documents are open to the public if an employee chooses to release them. Mr. Stine has already publically asked Mr. English to produce the documents. Hmmm! Seems as if someone is stalling.

Many of us are waiting to see the report to be issued as a result of Charles Perry's recent investigation. I think Mr. Perry will have something to say about Mr. English's lack of regard for DISD Board Policy and the lack of required documentation.

Mr. Stine did receive a letter in August stating that he had been terminated in May. Seems that DISD Board Policy might find a problem with that. I was not aware that one could back-date termination action. Why did Mr. English chair the comlaint hearing about his own actions? What is his answer to that?

My concern with Mr. English is that all I have heard is an assualt of Mr. Stine. Why not answer the charge? He has already admitted to changing the grades. He did not follow policy to do so.

Mr. Stine was reinstated! I do not have to ask DISD central as to why! He was reinstated because someone failed to follow DISD policy!

Why the assualt of the messenger? Why spend so much time trying to demean Mr. Stine? Why not answer the message instead? The answer is obvious: Mr. English cannot refute the charges.

The truth is going to come out!!!! The patient watch and wait. I assume that Mr. English is not the only one involved in this incident.

Posted by MizBennett @ 7:13 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008

I am not aware that district employees can release any information at their own discretion. Such things have to come with administrative direction.

I don't know who Mr. Perry is or what report he's done. I'm also not privy to Mr. Stine's personal employee communications from the district. I am curious about his teaching certification. I see a current valid teaching certificate, but I don't understand how he could have gotten it unless he was recommended for certification by the previous principal. If there was a termination letter back-dated to May, it seems unlikely that he would have been recommended for certification, especially since he didn't complete a year which is the requirement for others to fulfill the student teaching requirement. The probationary certificate expired in September. Perhaps that's not how it works for vocational certificates. I really don't know.

I have only seen the letter from Dr. English that appeared above. I did not see anything there that would remotely qualify as an assault. I'm sure that he is following procedures outlined to him by those further up the food chain than he is.

"Waiting" is obviously much better informed than the rest of the general public, including those who worked personally with Mr. Stine. Waiting seems to have a great deal of "insider" information. I'm intrigued, as based on this last comment at 6:22 PM, there are conspiracies afoot.

Posted by Gage Me @ 8:52 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008

Everyone seems to be forgetting that it wasn't just Mr. English in the room when the grade changes were made. The department leader, Mr. Stine and Mr. English were in the room. How come nobody else's character is being attacked. How could Mr. Stine give legitimate grades to students that he had taught for two weeks! So what, there were athletes in there, there were UIL kids in there, regular kids in there, and AP kids in there. They all benefitted. Why is no one talking about their grade changes? Are atheletes the only ones that matter all of the sudden?

How dare someone attack the integrity of Mr. Ward English! Anyone who does, does not know him well. He is a dedicated mentor to staff and faculty as well as to the students. He would never do anything unethical. I would swear to that on a stack of bibles. He is one of the few people in DISD who is honest, and does what is ethical. I shudder to think what will become of Skyline and the rest of the district when a man of his integrity and honesty (in a district which severly lacks both) is gone.

Some of us who were called to the district's "interragation" are too afraid to come forward. Mr. Stine still knows who we are, where we work, and where our rooms are located at Skyline. We have seen him react to other situations agressively and some of us fear his retaliation. Mr. English seeing this agressive behavior probably warranted having security in the room with him. Very few, if any, people at Skyline would be alone in a room with Mr. Stine.

TAKS posts were abandoned, students were secretly videotaped, construction workers were assaulted, threats were made, and police escorts were required. None of these things were enough reason to be removed from campus? Seriously. The grade changes were allowed because a sub was in the classroom for 4 of the 6 weeks. This is policy. Why the district would "transfer" someone with such erratic behavior to another school should not be policy. Obviously student and faculty endangerment are not a top priority in this district (but didn't we already know that).

Posted by Waiting to Hear the Truth @ 9:36 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008

Miz Bennett, English, & Friends

You can hide in the little world of your network and friends. Be aware that TEA is coming. It is time to come clean! I do not think they will buy your bull! Grades were illegally changed. Documents were altered. The e-mail trail cannot be hidden. Trumped up character assasination won't go far with them.

I imagine that the next several months will be very, very interesting!

Posted by MizBennett @ 10:33 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008

"Waiting" seems a bit paranoid.

I'm asking simple questions. How are you privileged to all this information?

You must obviously know things that are not readily apparent. Can you share? Can you give public disclosure?

I say that I only know what I saw. I say that I know what was personally shared with me. I also know policy. If you look up the policy and look at Dean English's letter you will see that policy was followed.

Does Mr. Stine dispute that he was not the teacher of record for the majority of the applicable grading period?

Does Mr. Stine dispute that he was told that the policy said that students that had a sub for the majority of the grading period should not get failing grades that were given by someone without enough grades to base a final mark on?

Does Mr. Stine state that he stood up and disagreed with three other people in a meeting that his students that he barely knew should receive failing grades because of their reaction to him as a new teacher for the last four or five class periods of the grading period? AND that he thought that Athletes were the reason. . .

If he is so indignant now, why didn't he scream and holler and shout more than a year ago? Why didn't he protest when he was removed from campus more than half a year ago? Why didn't he holler blue when he got his dismissal letter? Why has he gone and signed in and collected a paycheck for so many months if he thought things were so bad? Why is he screaming now because the district has assigned him some work to do on their payroll?

For the answers to these questions, tune in at your regular BatChannel. . . .

Posted by theSKY'Sthelimit @ 10:43 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008

As I sat reading all this BS, I found it comically coincidental that Patsy Cline's "Crazy" was playing on the TV. I too imagine that the next several months will be very, very interesting. Bless Lang's heart.

Posted by Maria Villalobos @ 10:59 PM Tue, Feb 12, 2008

I want more information.

So this guy says that he was made to change grades for athletes? Your evidence does not support this.

Is that THE big bad thing? Was it a star football player? What other sport has a big presence in November? Who was it? Is it a big name athlete that blew a championship? Is there someone who should throw their college scholarship aside because the teacher he had for two weeks in Media Technology failed him?

That would be big news. Should Skyline give up some title because of potential grade changes for one six weeks in Media Technology?

Or, was there some kid in that cluster who happened to also be in athletics? Was the athlete one who failed? Kids in walking casts don't count.

I'm disgusted by this. I do not yet possess credible information.

Mr. Stine has some questions to answer.

Posted by Waiting to Hear the Truth @ 9:03 AM Wed, Feb 13, 2008

To Miz Bennet, English, and Friends

The saga continues. I am enjoying the discussion though I am now paranoid. You should have studied logic. Attacking the messenger does not discredit the message.

1. Grades were changed in violation of DISD Board Policy, UIL rules, and Texas Law. Public documents were tampered with. If I am the most paranoid person in the world, the facts have been documented and verified by WFAA before they released Mr. Stine's story. You still have not answered the facts. Mr. Stine's documentation clearly shows that he taught the class for much more than part of the time that you are trying to sell. Hmmm! I would be worried about a TEA investigation. Certifications might be pulled.

2. Your values are totally wrong. Grades do not an educated person make. Mastery of the subject matter is the key. Give everyone a grade of 75? What educator in their right mind would ever accept such as legitimate? What real educator could ever defend such and action? I even suppose that UIL might be interested in the false response provided by the district. This is getting out of your control.

3. You continue to slam John Stine. All the charges, yet no evidence. Now you are even after SBEC. Maybe aliens are to blame! Shame on you!!!!! Shame one you!!!!! Why don't you call DISD to inquire as to the process by which Mr. Stine has pursued defending his position? You might get a little evidence from him. After all, he is the only one that documented anything.

5. You saw some evidence on television. That is why you screamed that no athletes were involved. They did not televise all the evidence. Good luck in refuting the remainder of the written evidence.

I predict that English will retire within a few months. Stine will be reinstated to Skyline by Fall. Someone will have to take the heat for English's actions. Who else took part in this grade change fiasco? Hmmm! Do any of you really think that this level of public awareness will be ignored by the DISD Board? Do any of you really think that TEA can ignore this level of public awareness. Keep watching WFAA news over the next week or so. The heat is likely to increase.

Paranoid? Perhaps, but the message still stands. Where are your answers? Why do you hide behind slanders against Mr. Stine? We all know what is going on. All you have provided is vague attacks of Mr. Stine for which you have no evidence. Good luck! You are about to need it.

Posted by Waiting to Hear the Truth @ 3:56 PM Wed, Feb 13, 2008

To: GIB

At last another voice of reason. I am not Mr. Stine either! I am sick of these folks defending this terrible act. I am embarrassed to see DISD in the news again. I am ashamed that those who call themselves educators could sanction such and act. I am appalled that Mr. Stine was retaliated against for reporting the action. Mr. English should be on administrative leave pending an investigation.

RIGHT ON, GIB!!!!

PS. They want to imply that we are Mr. Stine. We are not! However, who is directing their charges? Hmmmm! The next few weeks should be very exciting! Even so come, TEA!

Posted by Gage Me @ 5:27 PM Wed, Feb 13, 2008

GIB:
Have you ever been to Skyline? You might not want to make ethnic comments until you have walked down the hallways and seen the ethnic percentages of the school. The African American Dean was "fired"? Are you incinuating that Mr. English is still there because he is caucasian? Well I do declare, Mr. Stine looked awfully caucasian to me on the news. See, Skyline is fair, I believe they equally dismiss all those who can't perform to DISD's mimimum standards.

To Waiting to hear the truth:
Really creepy. Beware of the e-mail? Really, are we grown? Did we just get told to beware, or is it just Halloween?

I for one agree with Miz Bennett, I want proof.

Posted by Waiting to Hear the Truth @ 5:32 PM Wed, Feb 13, 2008

Ms. Hobbs,

Why not ask the DISD to provide the requirements of the General Information Bulletin in regard tot the changing of grades and post the section on the blog? I provided Board Policy FNG(Legal). Perhaps the General Information Bulletin can shed some light.

Why not give it a try?

Posted by theSKY'Sthelimit @ 6:07 PM Wed, Feb 13, 2008

In a few months Ward English will retire. He will be celebrated and missed. DISD will be worse off and less reliable without him.

Posted by Waiting to Hear the Truth @ 6:58 PM Wed, Feb 13, 2008

To English and Friends

I hate to quote Marlow to you but his description fits your arguments so well:

"In folly ripe, in reason rotten!"

Is Ward English so great a guy that he has the right to suspend DISD Policy and retaliate against those who report him?

Posted by MizBennett @ 4:31 PM Thu, Feb 14, 2008

What retaliation? I think that he is the one being retaliated against.

Posted by GIB @ 5:27 PM Thu, Feb 14, 2008

yes I have walked the halls of your building, and my coments are in regards to two african american teachers who the district put on Admin leave and charged them with grade changing, and not Mr. English, when he admitted it. I hold the GIB close to my heart so I can tell you what it says without guessing, I have been working with it for years and it stated that a grade change must be on a form for which the district has chosen to be used, and the teacher of record along with the principal must sign, not Mr. English. I am saying to be fair, Ward English should recieve the same actions as the two african american teachers who was accused of changing grades.
The concerns of Mr English should have been addressed through the schools attendance committe, who function is to address such concerns, but still the ultimate decision to change those grades would have been Mr. Stine's.

Posted by MizBennett @ 6:00 PM Thu, Feb 14, 2008

I'm not sure who GIB is referencing, but I know that one administrator with grade changing issues was moved to another school. I understand she is doing well there.

I believe that downtown made that decision. I believe they've made the current decision to leave Dr. English in position.

Dr. English's letter states that Mr. Stine was involved in the decision to make the grade changes. The mentor teacher and department chair were also involved.