Iola Independent School District Explained

The Iola Independent School District is a public school district based in Iola, Texas, United States. The district serves Iola and unincorporated areas in northwestern Grimes County.

Schools

The Iola Independent School District operates two schools: Iola Elementary School (grades PK-6) and Iola High School https://web.archive.org/web/20100315142659/http://www.iolaisd.net/MP.cfm?P=4949& (grades 7-12). Both schools as well as the district's administrative offices are housed on a single campus at the corner of FM 39 and Fort Worth Street.

In September 2009, Iola Elementary School was declared a National Blue Ribbon School of Excellence by the United States Department of Education.[1]

Student demographics

As of the 2008-2009 school year, Iola ISD enrolled a total of 497 students.[2] The gender distribution was 230 males (46.3%) and 267 females (53.7%).[3] The ethnic composition of the district was 85.71% White, 10.87% Hispanic, and 3.42% African American.[2] 45.1% of the district's students were considered economically disadvantaged[4] with 26.0% classified as "At-Risk."

Historic district enrollment

In 1965 the school had 235 students in all 12 grades in one building. Of the students, 85 were high school students.[8]

Controversy

In July 2024, the ACLU of Texas sent the Iola Independent School District a letter, alleging that the district's 2023-2024 dress and grooming code appeared to violate the Texas CROWN Act, a state law which prohibits racial discrimination based on hair texture or styles, and asking the district to revise its policies for the 2024-2025 school year.[9] [10]

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Mumford & Iola Elementary Schools Receive Blue Ribbon Status . KBTX.com . 2009-09-15 . 2010-02-16.
  2. Web site: Ethnicity Totals by District for District: 093903 (IOLA ISD) . 2008-2009 Student Enrollment Reports . Texas Education Agency, Information Analysis Division . 2009-02-06 . 2010-02-16 .
  3. Web site: Gender Totals by District for District: 093903 (IOLA ISD) . 2008-2009 Student Enrollment Reports . Texas Education Agency, Information Analysis Division . 2009-02-06 . 2010-02-16 .
  4. Web site: Totals by District for District: 093903 (IOLA ISD) . 2008-2009 Students Economically Disadvantaged . Texas Education Agency, Information Analysis Division . 2009-02-10 . 2010-02-16 .
  5. Web site: Annual Performance Report Archives: 1988-89 and 1989-90 . . 2006-03-01 . 2010-02-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110219233516/http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/apr/archive.html . 2011-02-19 . dead .
  6. Web site: AEIS Archives: 1990-91, 1991-92, 1992-93 . . 2004-10-24 . 2010-02-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20110219233516/http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/apr/archive.html . 2011-02-19 . dead .
  7. Web site: Academic Excellence Indicator System . . 2010-02-16 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100125233339/http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/aeis/index.html . 2010-01-25 . dead .
  8. Justice, Blair. (column "The Human Side of Science") Houston Post. Sunday May 2, 1965. Perspective Page 5. Available via microfilm from the Houston Public Library Central Library Jesse H. Jones Building.
  9. Web site: Gross . Kristi . 2024-07-24 . ACLU of Texas Finds 51 School Districts Likely Remain in Violation of the CROWN Act . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240808173913/https://www.aclutx.org/en/press-releases/aclu-texas-finds-51-school-districts-likely-remain-violation-crown-act . 2024-08-08 . 2024-08-22 . ACLU of Texas . en.
  10. Web site: Leffingwell . Kelsey . 2024-07-24 . 51 Texas school districts violating CROWN Act, ACLU says . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20240725103019/https://spectrumlocalnews.com/tx/south-texas-el-paso/politics/2024/07/24/aclu-of-texas-finds-51-school-districts-violating-the-crown-act . 2024-07-25 . 2024-08-23 . . en.