Recent History
PBS NewsHour showcased PSJA ISD nationally in a two-part series featuring the district’s dropout recovery program success and early college high school work (July 2012).
PSJA ISD has increased the number of yearly graduates by almost 100% from 966 in 2006-07 to over 1,900 in 2011-2012.
The district’s comprehensive, innovative approach and proven results have garnered the attention of the New York Times and other national publications. Top officials from the U.S. Department of Education, the Texas Education Agency, as well as local, state, and national elected officials have highlighted PSJA ISD for finding solutions to the dropout crisis and preparing students to be college ready.
PSJA has been identified as a national model for putting dropouts “Back on Track to College” by Jobs for the Future (JFF) out of Boston, MA. JFF is working to expand key components of the model to other states across the country. They also released a report in March 2012 featuring PSJA’s College3 initiative and “College for All” strategy.
On January 24, 2011, former PSJA superintendent Arturo Guajardo and board members Rogelio "Little Roy" Rodriguez, Rogelio "Big Roy" Navarro, and Evangelina "Vangie" De Leon pleaded guilty and were sentenced to probation, fines, and prison terms. Also, Arnulfo "Arnie" Olivarez (former insurance agent) and George Hernandez (former Donna ISD board president) pleaded guilty and were sentenced to probation, fines, and prison term for their role in the bribery and extortion scandal involving PSJA ISD's finances.
On June 6, 2007, The Dallas Morning News reported that Arturo Guajardo, the superintendent of PSJA ISD, and board members Raul Navarro, Evangelina De Leon, and Rogelio Rodriguez, were indicted on corruption charges. .
Read more about this topic: Pharr-San Juan-Alamo Independent School District
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