Frequently Asked Questions: Magnet Program Review

The HISD Comprehensive Magnet Program Review ordered by the Board of Education is
being released on Friday, January 7.

How was the review conducted?

HISD hired Magnet Schools of America (MSA), an independent consulting organization,
to evaluate the district’s 113 magnet schools in the fall. HISD conducted 13 public
community forums on the future of magnet schools and gathered additional feedback via
an online survey. MSA representatives then visited every magnet campus, observing
classrooms and interviewing staff members. MSA also analyzed academic data, budget
figures, school building capacity and other information pertaining to each school. Based
on these observations and analysis, MSA determined whether each magnet school meets
the criteria for being labeled a magnet school.

What are the criteria for being a magnet school?

Magnet schools must meet five criteria to meet MSA’s definition of a magnet school.
Magnet schools must:
1. Have a student body that represents the diversity of the school district
2. Be theme-based, using a unique and innovate curriculum
3. Boost student academic achievement
4. Provide teachers who are specially trained in subjects that support the magnet
theme
5. Form dynamic partnerships that bolster parent and community involvement

Have any decisions been made regarding the future of magnet schools?
No. HISD will now take the Magnet Program Review findings to the public in a series of
town hall meetings to gather feedback on the recommendations. Individual campuses will
also have an opportunity to provide input. HISD administration will then use that
feedback to help develop policy recommendations for the Board of Education’s
consideration in the spring.

What are the key findings in the report?

MSA consultants determined that many HISD schools that currently bear the “magnet”
designation do not meet the criteria. The consultants also documented:
• Randomness of decision-making regarding funding, instructional themes and feeder
patterns
• Inefficient use of funds and inequity of funding
• Lack of transparency of access to magnet schools
• Lack of accountability and no minimal standard for numbers of non-zoned students
enrolled in a magnet school
• Lack of diversity across magnet schools

What else has been recommended?

MSA has suggested removing the “magnet” designation from 55 current magnet schools.
Many of these schools that could lose the magnet designation are elementary school
magnet programs housed within traditional neighborhood campuses. MSA has
recommended that all elementary magnets be whole-school magnet programs. Students
attending schools that lose the “magnet” designation would still receive bus
transportation during the 2011-2012 school year.

Schools that lose the “magnet” designation would receive 40 percent of their current
magnet school subsidy for the 2011-2012 school year, but no extra magnet money after
that.

MSA has suggested that HISD continue requiring students to audition for admission into
secondary fine arts magnet programs, but an end to testing and screening for admission to
other magnet schools. They have also suggested that lotteries for admission into popular
programs be conducted at HISD central office, rather than at individual campuses.

Other recommendations include adopting official magnet school standards and

developing a magnet budget allocation process.

What about Vanguard schools?

MSA has recommended that HISD no longer use the “magnet” designation for Vanguard
schools, which serve gifted and talented students. Vanguard schools are not theme-based
and therefore do not meet magnet criteria. MSA has recommended that Vanguard schools
continue receiving extra money designated for gifted students. Vanguard program
students will continue receiving bus transportation.

What’s the impact on the ongoing magnet application process for the 2011-2012
school year?
The magnet application process for the 2011-2012 school year is unchanged. The
application deadline remains January 7 and parents will be notified of their child’s school
assignment later in the spring.

Where can I get a copy of the report?

The report is available online at www.houstonisd.org