Latest news with #LoneStar
Yahoo
a day ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Unproven school board governance training in Texas is all hat and no cattle
Under the guise of improving academic outcomes, the Texas Education Agency has required some public school districts across Texas to adopt Lone Star Governance, a program that includes coaching and training for school board members. Texans who care about efficient government and local control should be concerned with the state's interference and how money is being diverted away from schools to well-connected consultants for an unproven and costly enterprise that is all hat and no cattle. According to the TEA, Lone Star Governance is a continuous improvement model, 'founded on research' and focused on 'improving student outcomes.' TEA has required the board of trustees in several districts — including Austin ISD, Fort Worth ISD and Houston ISD — to adopt Lone Star Governance to address various issues, from special education-related failures to persistent low performance on state standardized assessments. However, as education researchers, we are concerned that TEA is requiring public school districts spend public funds on an approach with no evidence of effectiveness. A TEA-created flyer claims that districts implementing Lone Star Governance saw, on average, a 10-point increase in accountability scores between 2018 and 2019, compared to 3 points for districts not using that model. The flyer does not indicate which districts were part of this calculation. However, according to information we obtained from TEA through a public records request, starting in the 2017-18 school year, 13 districts were formally engaged in Lone Star Governance. We were wary of drawing conclusions about Lone Star Governance from such a small group of districts over one year. So we tracked accountability score changes between 2018 and 2023 for all districts that had been involved in Lone Star Governance in 2018 and 2019. In this time, overall district accountability ratings for Lone Star Governance districts declined 12.4 points, a much steeper decline than those districts not using that model (7.4-point decline). The gap in average accountability ratings actually widened between districts using Lone Star Governance and those that didn't. In 2018, the average accountability rating in Lone Star Governance districts was only two points below other districts (84 vs. 86 points). By 2023, this gap widened to seven points (74 vs. 81 points). Several districts that were required to adopt Lone Star Governance five years ago are now facing potential state intervention because of a lack of progress on improving student outcomes. TEA required the program in Houston ISD, where trainees have characterized Lone Star Governance as 'a fear-based system of control' where 'any sort of independent thought is not tolerated.' Houston ISD's accountability rating has declined since its forced adoption of Lone Star Governance. Fort Worth ISD adopted Lone Star Governance in 2018, but, similarly, the district's state accountability ratings have declined. TEA has forced Austin ISD to adopt Lone Star Governance twice — first in 2016 and again in 2024. Yet, Austin ISD has not experienced substantial improvement in its state accountability ratings. The need for repeated training calls into question the effectiveness of Lone Star Governance and begs the question: Who is benefiting from this costly, unproven training? In 2024, Austin ISD was required to pay $60,000 to a national organization called the Council of Great City School (CGCS) for Lone Star Governance training and coaching. The person who leads CGCS's governance efforts — including facilitating Lone Star Governance workshops across the state — is AJ Crabill, a former TEA deputy commissioner who was appointed in 2016 by TEA Commissioner Mike Morath. Texas is unique in that the state has unilateral authority to require districts to spend funds on this unproven school board training. However, several districts across the United States have also adopted Crabill's governance training — nationally known as Student Outcomes Focused Governance. The effectiveness of this training in these districts is now under scrutiny, too. For example, Seattle Public Schools has spent approximately $300,000 on Student Outcomes Focused Governance and has seen little academic progress. Texans care about the efficient use of taxpayer dollars, especially when it comes to educating our state's children. Requiring already-cash-strapped districts spend public tax dollars on unproven training with zero evidence of effectiveness is the opposite of efficient. Instead, state interventions should prioritize proven strategies, such as evidence-based professional development for teachers and investments into mental health supports for students. Rachel S. White is an associate professor, and David DeMatthews is a professor of education, in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy at the University of Texas. This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Required 'Lone Star' training isn't helping school districts | Opinion
Yahoo
3 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Williamson County veterinary clinic warns cat owners of deadly Bobcat Fever
FAIRVIEW, Tenn. (WKRN) — A Williamson County veterinary clinic is warning cat owners about the dangers of a deadly, tick-borne disease after seeing a surge in cases over the last two weeks. Bobcat Fever, also known as Cytauxzoonosis, is a deadly parasite transmitted to cats by the Lone Star tick, which is known to have one white dot on it. The parasite normally lives in bobcats without causing illness, however, when domestic cats are infected, they often die within 72 hours of first symptoms, which may include fever, lack of energy, decreased appetite, and yellow skin or eyes, deadly, according to Fairview Animal Clinic. Over the last few weeks, Fairview Animal Clinic has seen nine cases of Bobcat Fever. 'We haven't had this many cases in such a short two-week period, so I'm kind of nervous about what's going to happen over this the rest of the summer since it's a long tick season, and it goes all the way to the fall,' said Dr. Eric Fold, associate veterinarian at Fairview Animal Clinic. More than a dozen arrested by Lebanon police in 'targeted operation' Dr. Simone Godwin, a relief veterinarian at Fairview Animal Clinic, said even with aggressive treatment including hospitalization, antimicrobials, and supportive care, the disease is often fatal. In this recent cluster of cases at Fairview Animal Clinic, 78% of cats died or were euthanized. Of the five that were treated, only one survived. Additionally, one cat who did not receive treatment survived. 'So far, we've only had a 20% success rate, and it's really hard on the cats,' Fold said. 'They're very, very sick, and a lot of owners actually elect to euthanize because of the poor prognosis, the just the state of their cat when they bring it in, and it's pretty expensive. The medications are very, very pricey to obtain.' Fold said early detection is crucial as survival rates drop drastically without treatment. 📧 Have breaking news come to you: → 'We've got to get our cats on the prevention, and if you do notice any signs of illness in your cat, bring it in as fast as you can that way we can get them started,' Fold said. 'We've seen some success with it, but it's still a very difficult disease to try to manage.' Dr. Danielle Grigsby, owner of Fairview Animal Clinic, said keeping cats indoors and on year-round flea and tick prevention is the best way to prevent Bobcat Fever and a host of other issues that outdoor cats are at risk for, like trauma, eating something toxic, and other infections. Since some of the fipronil products can take up to 48 hours to actually kill the tick, Fold said the clinic is recommending some of the prescription-based prevention products, such as the Seresto® Flea and Tick Collar for Cats. 'The problem that we're seeing with the Seresto® collar is that the owners actually aren't keeping them tight enough on the cats so they don't actually have contact with the skin, so it has to be tight enough to actually transmit the medication to the cat,' Fold said. 'Just make sure that you go by the label instructions, but it's usually going to be one to two fingers tight, where you can only slip one or two fingers between the cat and the collar. ⏩ Even though the disease does not affect dogs or humans, veterinary experts said both can carry ticks indoors which could ultimately infect a cat. 'The life expectancy of outdoor cats is only 2-5 years, versus up to 15 for indoor cats, Godwin said. 'Your veterinarian can help you make the best decision on prevention products and lifestyle changes to make sure your cat lives a long and healthy life.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
New York Post
3 days ago
- Health
- New York Post
Up-tick? Long Island seeing more of the blood-suckers this year
Long Islanders better brace for a bloodthirsty summer. Populations of several tick species across both Nassau and Suffolk counties have exploded since the fall, experts told The Post. 'I have friends working in the state and county parks, and the talk is, 'Oh, my God, it's so bad this year!'' said Janine Bendicksen, director of wildlife rehabilitation at Sweetbriar Nature Center in Smithtown. Bendicksen said Sweetbriar has taken in more goslings this spring than in previous years, with groups of 10 to 20 coming in at a clip. 4 Tick populations appear to be booming on Long Island. Oleksandr – 'They were lethargic. Their feet were curling up, and they'd flip over, because they were dying,' she explained. 'All of a sudden, we saw all of these tiny black ticks coming off of them.' Sweetbriar's team realized the baby birds were anemic from the bloodsuckers. 'Goslings and ducklings never have ticks on them, because ticks tend to go for mammals,' Bendicksen said. 'That is an indication that, 'Uh-oh, it's gonna be a bad season.'' The Lone Star, American Dog, and blacklegged tick — which can transmit a bevy of illnesses such as Lyme disease, a bacterial infection that causes flu-like symptoms — have all been on the rise across Long Island, experts said. They can also spread potentially-fatal bacterial infections such as ehrlichiosis and anaplasmosis, along with Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever and Powassan virus. 4 Deers are among the many animals that help spread ticks on Long Island. Dan – Several factors account for the population explosion, including weather and host animal abundance. Long Island had a rather mild winter, which can increase tick activity, said Dr. Scott Campbell, Suffolk County's entomologist. A wet spring also tend to bring out more ticks. 'There's a lot of moving parts,' said Campbell. 'There's no silver bullet, but multiple factors are playing a role.' Rodent populations are also on the rise — potentially caused by a dip in the number of predators that feed on them including owls and snakes — helping boost tick numbers. In Suffolk, there were 3,299 reported cases of Lyme disease in 2023 — up from 2,668 the year before. Only 697 cases were reported in Nassau County in 2023, while data from the prior year was not immediately available. Over 21,000 Lyme disease cases were reported statewide in 2023. 4 Ticks carry a multitude of infectious diseases. meepoohyaphoto – And more than 89,000 U.S. cases were reported across the US in 2023, the CDC reported. Ulises Galdamez, 36, owner of Long Island Tick Sprays in Hampton Bays, told The Post this is the first season since launching his business in 2016 that his phone started ringing in early March. 'Normally, April is when we get people reaching out to us,' he explained. 'This year's going to be bad, because we've definitely had more people calling us this year than any other year before. We've been going nonstop — it's shaping up to be our busiest season so far.' 4 Ticks love tall grass, and wind can carry them towards sunbathers. Joe Trentacosti – Bendicksen suggested wearing 'socks on the outside of your pants' to keep the critters off exposed skin. Keeping rodents and larger mammals away with fences and other measures is also important she said. And keep a lint roller handy — they're excellent for removing ticks, she added.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
How to protect yourself during peak tick season
SOUTH KINGSTOWN, R.I. (WPRI) — It's officially peak tick season in Rhode Island, which means everyone should remain vigilant while spending time outside. Thomas Mather, director of the University of Rhode Island's Center for Vector-Borne Disease and the TickEncounter Resource Center, told 12 News the population of ticks across New England is the highest and most diverse it's ever been. There are four different species of ticks currently in Rhode Island, according to Mather, including black-legged deer ticks, American dog ticks, Lone Star ticks and Asian longhorned ticks. He said the most popular species are black-legged deer ticks and American dog ticks. Mather offered a series of precautions everyone can take as tick season ramps up: Mather has a new mantra for tick prevention: 'tuck, treat, tight.' He said it's important to tuck clothes in, treat clothes and shoes to repel them, and wear tight clothing to prevent them from getting underneath. Specifically, Mather recommends everyone tuck their shirts into their pants and their pants into their socks to limit skin exposure. He also suggested spraying clothing with a repellant that contains 20-30% DEET or permethrin. Those hiking in the woods or tall grass should stick to the middle of the trail if possible, he added. Mather urged everyone to carefully check themselves, their children and their pets for ticks before heading inside. He said it's important to have tweezers and a resealable bag ready to remove and collect the tick. Mather also warned against attempting to squish ticks, especially while they're still attached to their host. Even though it can be tempting to flush the tick away after removing it, Mather is asking everyone to submit a photograph of it to URI's TickSpotters. Mather said knowing the species of tick can make a big difference, since only black-legged deer ticks can carry the bacteria that causes Lyme Disease. To submit a tick for identification, Mather requests the photograph be taken of the topside of the tick and provide as much information as possible about the encounter. 'We don't expect everyone to be a tick biologist,' Mather said. 'But that's why we're here.' Mather said TickSpotters will identify the tick and respond to the submission with a risk assessment and easy-to-follow tick bite prevention tips. Even though the diseases that ticks carry varies by species, Mather stressed that 'all ticks need to be protected against.' There's also an easy way for Rhode Islanders to evaluate tick risks before heading outside, according to Mather. He said everyone can simply look out the window and assess their yard conditions to determine whether ticks will be out and about. 'Ticks don't like dry weather,' he said. 'If you have to water your lawn … that's actually not good for ticks.' Mather said wet weather provides the climate ticks need to reproduce. That's actually why clothes should be thrown into the dryer instead of the washer after spending time outside. Download the and apps to get breaking news and weather alerts. Watch or with the new . Follow us on social media: Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
The Spinoff
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Spinoff
‘Freaking obsessed': Josh McKenzie on meeting his 90s child star crush
Josh McKenzie, local star of The Hunting Party, Filthy Rich and La Brea, shares his life in television. Like almost every New Zealand actor who has made it into a big snazzy international TV show, Josh McKenzie cut his teeth on Shortland Street long before he starred in enormous American productions like La Brea and The Hunting Party. Playing the role of executive assistant Nate, McKenzie says the soap opera was 'one hell of a training ground' for a young actor. 'You learn how to deliver dialogue at pace with one or two takes convincingly, and you've just got to be pumping constantly – otherwise you look like an idiot,' he laughs. It's this stamina and work ethic that he says sets New Zealanders apart in the international industry, and came in very handy on the set of The Hunting Party. In the fast-paced procedural, in which a task force is assembled to hunt escaped serial killers after an explosion at a top secret prison facility, McKenzie plays former soldier and prison guard Shane Florence. 'It's a very fast turnaround show, but still nowhere near as fast as Shortland Street,' he says. 'Honestly, after you do Shortland Street, everything else feels like a luxury.' And while he acknowledges procedural shows might not be 'hip' at the moment, McKenzie says they always have a place in his watchlist. 'I'm a real sucker for any kind of procedural – killer of the week, crime of the week, medical case of the week. They're all nice little comfort watches for me.' Auspiciously, he was deep into rewatching House when he got the call to join The Hunting Party. 'It's a very different backdrop, but a similar format – you've got the central unit of people who are trying to solve a problem, and everyone fills an archetype.' The first episode of The Hunting Party opens with its gigantic, secret citadel blowing up in the middle of nowhere, and McKenzie still remembers how it felt to be there. 'It's kind of like stepping into a theme park,' he says. 'You're on your first day on set and there's the ruins of a giant top secret prison right there. That feeling never really gets old for me, where that inner child wakes up and just wants to run around and have fun.' And while we are channeling childhood, we then asked McKenzie to take us through his life in television. My earliest TV memory is… I was so freaking obsessed with McDonald's Young Entertainers that I wrote a handwritten letter to Drew Ne'emia. McDonald's Young Entertainers really awoke something in me, it was like our version of the Disney Kids. The show I would rush home from school to watch is… Malcolm in the Middle was my big after school show, which I've also started rewatching again recently. It really holds up and you can see how much of a genius Bryan Cranston was. He's actually incredible. My first TV crush was… I would honestly probably have to say Drew Ne'emia. I served him a drink when I was working at Lone Star and I was about to say, 'hey, man, I wrote you a letter when I was seven' but I didn't. My first time on screen was… I played like a handless skeleton in a Halloween special for Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego. I got to choose my costume and I wanted the skeleton, but he was missing one of the gloves. They were like 'can you choose something else' and I was like 'no, I want to be the skeleton'. So that's how I was a handless skeleton on Where in the World is Carmen Sandiego. My TV guilty pleasure is… My partner is obsessed with Shahs of Sunset, which is a show about some of the worst people. I was building some Ikea furniture and watching it with her, and then I found myself being totally engrossed by the episode. My favourite NZ TV ad is… My little sister was in the Milky Bar ad where Jemaine Clement played the bad guy with a moustache. It was set in a saloon with all the little kids playing the hokey typical roles in a Western. She played the saloon girl, and I vividly remember remembering visiting on set when she was doing that. My favourite TV character of all time is… What Anthony Starr did in Outrageous Fortune with Jethro and Vann made a huge impression on me as a budding young actor, so those twins are definitely up there as some of my favourites. I also love Ted Danson's character in Cheers, Robin Wright's character in House of Cards, Gillian Anderson in The Fall is fucking epic. The TV project I wish I could be involved in is… The Sopranos or The Wire – every character has something going on. I'm also a video game fan, so The Last of Us would also be a dream. A show that I'll never watch, no matter how many people say I should is… I won't watch TV shows on Tiktok. I just can't. It hurts my soul. And I'm sure it's the future of how we're going to digest media, but I just can't bring myself to do it. My friend always sends me these these micro soaps, three minute long episodes, and they are all so bad. It's always the richest man in the world, but his wife is cheating on him, but she's actually richer than him. All these terrible setups and they just churn them out. The last thing I watched on television was… I watched the latest episode of The Last of Us and the last episode of The Pitt, both in the same night.
