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Homer appointed to House advisory committee

April 12th, 2010

The Paris News

by Mary Madewell

Texas Speaker of the House Joe Straus, R-San Antonio, has appointed state Rep. Mark Homer, D-Paris, to the Communities in Schools State Advisory Committee.

Homer is one of two state representatives currently serving on the committee. Rep. Myra Crownover, R-Denton, was appointed in 2007.

“I am pleased to appoint Representative Homer to the Communities in Schools State Advisory Committee,” Straus said earlier this week. “Nothing impacts the Texas of tomorrow more than investments we make today in education, including support for successful dropout prevention programs and initiatives.

“Representative Homer’s experience will provide a unique perspective to the committee, and he will be a great advocate for their mission of educating students and preparing them for success upon high school graduation,” Straus said through an e-mail statement.

Communities in Schools is a nationwide dropout prevention program that helps at-risk students to successfully learn, stay in school and prepare for life by providing personalized case management services and coordinating community resources throughout the state.

“I am proud to be a part of an organization that is directly involved with the individual success of students, especially students who might not have this kind of encouragement otherwise,” Homer said earlier today. “I applaud the hard work of teachers and administrators, but I am aware that they are not always given the time or resources to provide specialized services to each at-risk student. This program goes above and beyond to combat the dropout rate and prepare students for their future.”

CIS of Texas is the largest state program in the national CIS network, having served 732 campuses in 123 school districts, and helping more than 83,000 students in 2008. Out of those students, 98 percent stayed in school and 87 percent were promoted to the next grade level.

The role of the CIS State Advisory Committee is to advise and provide guidance to programs, while working closely with the Texas Education Agency, the CIS State Office, local CIS boards, school districts and campuses.

Responsibilities include educating state and community leaders through public awareness, program expansion, securing funding in new communities, marketing, public relations, resource development and assisting the state in achieving program goals.