HOUSTON – Houston school officials have proposed a school designed specifically for immigrants, including flexible yearlong schedules, accelerated credit programs and weekend classes.
“Many of these students walk into our high schools and know little or no English,” interim Houston superintendent Abe Saavedra said Tuesday at Lee High School, where students from 70 countries speak 42 languages. “Immigrant students need more support than conventional schools can provide.”
The proposed school, which will be voted on Thursday by the Houston Independent School District’s board, would offer weekend classes, customized instruction and “whatever we have to do to make sure these kids graduate,” Saavedra said.
The school would open in 2005 to about 125 students, eventually growing to about 250, Saavedra said. The Houston district has about 12,000 immigrant students.
In Texas, students may attend public schools through age 21, and Lee High principal Steve Amstutz said it is the older immigrant students who could most benefit.
Talk to us
> Give us your news tips.
> Send us a letter to the editor.
> More Herald contact information.
