Yesterday’s Chron editorial commended the Brownsville Independent School District for winning the million-dollar Broad Prize for its recent improvements. Unfortunately, the editorial board lifted numerous passages directly from the Broad Prize press release:

Release:

“Brownsville outperformed other Texas districts serving students with similar income levels in reading and math at all grade levels, according to The Broad Prize methodology.”

Chron:

“In 2007, it outperformed Texas districts serving students with similar income levels in reading and math at all grade levels.”

And again. The press release:

“Between 2004 and 2007, Brownsville’s Hispanic students showed greater improvement than their peers in similar Texas districts in reading and math at all grade levels, according to The Broad Prize methodology.”

Chron:

“Between 2004 and 2007 its Hispanic and low-income students showed greater improvement than their peers in similar Texas districts…”

And again. The press release:

“Brownsville surpassed the state average in raising the percentage of Hispanic and low-income students who achieved math proficiency at all grade levels and in elementary and high school reading proficiency.

Chron:

“…and the district beat the state average in raising the percentage of Hispanic and low-income students who achieved math and reading proficiency at all grade levels.”

And again. The press release:

“Districts cannot apply for or be nominated for this award.”

Chron:

“School districts cannot apply for or be nominated for the Broad prize. “

One more time. The press release:

“Each year, 100 of the largest urban school districts nationwide are automatically eligible for The Broad Prize.”

Chron:

“Each year, 100 of the largest school districts in the country are automatically eligible.”

It’s a shame that the Chron’s editors celebrate education by taking another’s words and passing them off as their own. There’s a word for that.

When one combines this with editors’ unethical campaign contributions and the Chron’s sweep-it-under-the-rug response, a troubling pattern begins to take shape.

I’ve emailed and called Jim Newkirk, the Chron’s new reader representative. I’ll be sure to pass on his response, if any.