School Grades and Awards, Protecting Police, Old 97's County Fair: Your Friday Morning News Roundup

Here is what you need to know to start your day.Schools that got C's and D's from Texas are now up for a national awardHartman Elementary School in Wylie has been nominated for a National Blue Ribbon award, given each year to high-performing schools — the same Hartman Elementary that got two A's, one C and one D last week under a new state plan for grading campuses.Texas lawmakers approved the A-F letter grades in 2015, saying they'd be easier for parents to understand than the current system of "met standard" or "improvement required." But as Hartman's case shows, there's some confusion. Like, how can schools look like rock stars by one measure and laggards by another?"There are clearly some inconsistencies," Wylie ISD spokesman Ian Halperin said Thursday. "We knew from the beginning there were some serious flaws and questions about the A-F system, and this just highlights them."Also: Parents are urging Dallas ISD trustees to stop suspending young kids.  Continue reading...