Representative Dr. Mark Shelton visited with students and staff as he spent time on the campus of Premier High School of Fort Worth, a free public Charter School located on Camp Bowie Boulevard.
Chief Executive Officer Charles Cook and Regional Superintendent David Lee joined Principal Butch Jackson in welcoming Shelton to the Premier campus.
Accompanied by staff member Peeler Howell, Representative Shelton visited learning centers and included a trip to the Science lab in which students were preparing for a hands-on biology experiment – small animal dissections.
While asking students about school, their schedules, and their choice of Premier High School, he listened to their responses, reminding them that “you’re taking ownership of your learning while you work toward graduation.”
Students mentioned that their school schedules in Premier permit them to complete work responsibilities as well as their school courses, and to continue in school even though family and financial situations require them to work.
While speaking with Math Specialist Karen Partusch, Shelton asked how students were able to receive the help they need in a self-paced individualized environment.
“We work with them individually; in addition, we use pull-out sessions to assure that students are able to learn and use their knowledge,” she explained.
“In student learning centers the flags are used as a way to get our attention.? The black ones are for academic questions; the others are for general needs.”
Shelton additionally congratulated a senior student who assisted with the Premier High School wall mural painted on the entrance wall of the campus, and who is finishing Spanish and Art electives in order to graduate.
One of only three physicians serving in the Texas Legislature, Shelton was responsible for the passage of several key pieces of legislation during the 81st session, including serving as the House sponsor for ChildLINK – a new program administered by the Office of the Attorney General that will provide health coverage to over 200,000 uninsured children in the child support system, at no cost to the taxpayers.
For his efforts to improve health care for Texas children, Shelton was awarded the Health Care Hero Award by the House Republican Caucus.
During the 81st Legislative Session, House Speaker Joe Straus appointed Representative Shelton to the Committee on Border and Intergovernmental Affairs, the Committee on House Administration, and the Committee on Public Education.
He passed legislation removing unfunded mandates for public schools, providing solutions for childhood obesity, and implementing new accountability standards to Texas schools.
From 1988 until taking office in November 2008, Representative Shelton served as the Director of the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Program at Cook Children’s Medical Center where he was in charge of the Hospital Infection Control Program, the Pediatric AIDS Program, the Infectious Diseases Clinical Research Program, and the Pediatric Infectious Diseases Consultation Service.
He has also served as vice president of the Cook Children’s Physician Network and as a board member of the Cook Children’s System. He remains a full-time practicing physician at Cook Children’s Hospital.