MacArthur High School - Crest Yearbook (Irving, TX)

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Feature ;£« - MAGNIFY IHEII II ENUREE THEII FtTIIE ... TEA and SACS members arc treated to a complementary breakfast at the Irving High School cafeteria prior to beginning their assigned investigations. Fruit salad, rolls, sausages, and coffee were the main features on the menu for the continental breakfast prepared by the Irving High School cafeteria personnel. Two Years In the Making TEA, SACS Commend USD Any general would be proud of a troop like this. They passed the inspection with flying colors. When the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS) arrived, we were totally prepared for them. Our battle plan was relatively simple, let them infiltrate the ranks and check out everything. Even though we were offensively alert and ready for anything, it did take careful planning. We spent two years in preparation for the examination, beginning with a self-evaluation by teachers, students, and administrators. Twelve committees were formed to investigate different areas prior to the actual evaluation. Their findings were compiled into a complete report and made available to the members of TEA and SACS. After a ten year absence, the TEA and the SACS representatives came to Irving to evaluate the entire school system from kindergarten through twelfth grade. When the evaluators arrived, they were formally greeted at the front by the JROTC and ushered into a gleaming school building. Visiting committees examined their assigned areas and were instructed to make suggestions regarding program improvements, equipment, curriculum, students ' attitudes, and teachers ' philosophies. During their three day stay at MacArthur the evaluators were invited to the Living Room where they were treated to several homemade epicurean delights prepared especially for them by the Homemaking Department. At the conclusion of the inspection all the observations and brief summaries were reported at a general meeting held at MacArthur. The summation of the study resulted in total accreditation for the Irvmg Independent School District, Several other specific areas were discussed and commended by different committee representatives and the overall opinion was that USD is staffed with highly competent teachers and an interested and caring administration, along with students who are eager to learn. MacArthur ' s chief representative Dr. Bill Miller, from North Texas State University, cited the old red and white as being a great comprehensive school. Slowly they retreated from our grounds and the platoon breathed a sigh of relief. The final synopsis was highly complementary and a tribute to the ranks. We had won the battle. 10