January 2017

RGV U.S. Representatives Will Boycott Presidential Inauguration

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Congressman Vicente Gonzalez (D-McAllen) and Congressman Filemon Vela (D-Brownsville) have both released statements today that they will not attend President-elect Donald Trump’s inauguration Friday.

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Ranking RGV School Districts 2015-2016

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Earlier this week TEA released a preliminary A-F Accountability report grading schools for their performance for the 2015-2016 school year. Beginning in 2017, per HB 2804, TEA will issue “A-F” grades for school districts to measure their performance, abandoning their “meets standards-needs improvement” model. Districts are split as to whether this is a good idea or not, but either way, it’s hard to argue that the model DOESN’T give parents an easier snapshot of how well or how poorly their local district is performing.

Here’s how RGV Schools did this previous school year Keep Reading

The Bench Wire Hater’s Guide To The Valley: Mercedes

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The Valley is one of a kind when it comes to diversity. From the racist white people, the country-wannabes, the ghetto Hispanics, the snobby Mexicans from Monterrey and the token black person in between. With all that diversity and culture mixing all over, visiting the Valley might be a little overwhelming. Not to worry, tourist: The Bench Wire is here to help.

We finally figured out where that smell was coming from. Welcome To Mercedes.

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