June 7, 2008
For the past few years Bowie High School has faced a significant academic crisis. Lagging test scores, unacceptably high dropout rates and low campus morale had taken center stage at one of El Paso’s proudest and historically significant high schools. However, after numerous years of failing to meet either federal or state requirements the students, teacher and administration have cause to celebrate this year. Bowie students have raised their TAKS scores to become an "Academically Acceptable" campus in 2008. This wasn’t done overnight. The results that Bowie and the other 8 campuses in similar situations registered in the past two years are a result of tremendous work on behalf of countless teachers, coaches and administrators who would not accept less from their students. In 2006 EPISD created the Priority Schools Division to address the needs of struggling campuses throughout the district. As a member of the Priority School Division Bowie was able to receive focused direction and emphasis from administrators, teachers and staff, to provide the extra help they needed to avoid the state’s punitive measures that come from being labeled a failing school.
These gains signify more that a reprieve from state sanctions and mandated school restructuring. These improvements are critical in allowing Bowie to cease operating in crisis mode and address systematic change on all fronts; core subjects such as math and science as well as the arts, sports and other electives that provide added motivation for students to attend class and stay in school.
With all eyes on Bowie, the school’s new principal is under pressure to perform and address the significant needs and improvements that must be met. Dr. Jesus Chavez began his position as the new principal of Bowie this past May. Dr. Chavez is a native El Pasoan with an impressive track record and most importantly a love and affinity for the students at Bowie. He attended the University of Texas at El Paso where he was awarded a Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies Degree, a Master of Educational Degree in Education Administration and a Doctor of Education Degree in Educational Leadership. Chavez was most recently employed with the San Antonio Independent School District as a high school principal since July 2007. His previous experience includes 14 years with the Socorro Independent School District. While there he served as a teacher, high school assistant principal and principal. At Bowie he will face a demanding environment, but already he is buoyed by the encouragement that he has received from a community committed to assuring Bowie High School, with its rich history and a tradition of pride that goes back more than 80 years, succeeds.
Presently there are important partners on board to help address gaps in resources. State Sen. Eliot Shapleigh is spearheading an initiative to involve experts throughout the country in the implementation of best practices for limited English language learners from Pre-K to High School. Conversations with the Dean of the UTEP Business School are moving forward to provide more rigor and substance to the International Business Academy housed at Bowie and private sector businesses have committed their time and money to increasing the relevance between courses in high school and their applications in the workplace. The Bowie Alumni boasts of thousands of success stories and stands willing to offer valuable expertise as role models and sponsors. Internally, Dr. Chavez has moved Bowie High School to a schedule that allows students to sign up for 10 classes a semester under an innovative block schedule. This change will provide students an opportunity to add important electives to their course load that supplement core reading and math classes.
Most importantly, moving forward is a change in mindset; among the students, faculty and community at large. Expectations for success of our students at Bowie must be high and no excuses accepted in failing to achieve those goals. Our accomplishments at Bowie are as important as the emphasis for excellence placed on all of our high schools but at this time Bowie is in the spotlight. The success demonstrated by our students at Bowie resonates throughout the county by sending the message that anything is possible with hard work, thoughtfulness and dedication. We all have a vested interest in that message.
Lisa Colquitt-Munoz is trustee for EPISD District 1