Ann Smisko named Associate Commissioner
AUSTIN In two recent Texas Education Agency developments Texas has been recognized by the College Board as one of 20 states with the greatest percentage of students earning scores of three or higher on Advanced Placement (AP) exams and TEA Commissioner Robert Scott announced that Ann Smisko a recognized education leader will return to the Agency Feb. 16 as Associate Commissioner for School Support & Improvement.
Among students in Texas high school graduating Class of 2009 76875 or 28.7 took at least one AP exam during high school compared to 26.5 for the nation. That represents a substantial increase from five years ago when 53339 or 21.8 of the states graduating seniors took an AP test sometime during their high school career.
The College Board tests are scored range from 1 to 5. Colleges and universities typically give college course credit to those who earn scores of three four or five.
In Texas 14.9 of the graduating Class of 2009 earned a score of 3 or higher on an AP test compared to 12.5 of the Class of 2004 who did so.
Social sciences tests which include history government economics and psychology were the most popular tests taken by Texas students. They experienced their greatest success on English AP exams.
In the AP Report to the Nation: 2010 released three Texas high schools were recognized for the strong performance of their minority students.
Valley View High School in Hidalgo Countys Valley View Independent School District was highlighted as a public school with the largest number of Latino students from the Class of 2009 scoring a three or higher" on the AP Spanish Literature exam.
The School of Science and Engineering at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Magnet Center in Dallas ISD was again recognized as a public school with the largest number of Latino students from the Class of 2009 scoring a three or higher" on the AP Calculus AB exam.
For the second year in a row the Michael E. DeBakey High School for Health Professions in Houston ISD was spotlighted nationally as a public school with the largest number of African-American students from the Class of 2009 scoring a three or higher" on the AP Calculus AB test.
Associate commissioner to focus on rule review school improvement and federal programs
Ann Smisko a recognized education leader will return to the
Texas Education Agency Feb. 16 as the associate commissioner for school support and
improvement.
I am delighted to welcome Dr. Smisko back to TEA. Because of her recent work in an urban school district she understands firsthand how state education policy works when implemented at the classroom level. Dr. Smisko brings a wealth of knowledge and experience involving curriculum development testing and textbook selection to the agency" said Commissioner of Education Robert Scott.
In her new role Smisko will oversee an across-agency review of the commissioners rules to help determine if any rules can be eliminated or modified. Scott announced recently that all the education rules that are the responsibility of his office will go through an informal review process to determine whether they are still needed or whether they could be modified to reduce the work load on school districts and charter schools.
Smisko will also coordinate the agencys efforts to assist struggling schools which will include the efforts of the state turnaround center and agency programs that support turnaround efforts at the local school district level.
Additionally Smisko will oversee programs funded under the federal Elementary and Secondary Education Act commonly referred to as No Child Left Behind" and the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act.
Smisko previously worked at TEA from 1977 to 2003 in a variety of roles. From 1996 until 2003 she served as the associate commissioner for curriculum assessment and technology. In that job she oversaw the creation of both the curriculum standards called the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) which is the student testing program. She also oversaw the state review purchase and delivery of billions of dollars of textbooks and other instructional material.
She most recently served for four years as the assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction with the Austin Independent School District. She is the former associate vice chancellor for public schools for the Texas A&M University System and served as supervisor of student teachers for Boston College. Smisko began her education career as a teacher in the Boston Public Schools.
She holds elementary special education mid-management and superintendent certifications in Texas.
Smisko earned a Ph.D. in educational administration from the University of Texas a Master of Education from Boston College and a Bachelor of Science degree from Pennsylvania State University
