Blue-haired teacher

Brundrett Middle School teacher Kristi Longanecker, seated at center, poses with some of her eighth-grade history students after dying her hair blue and pink to satisfy her a deal she made with the students. She promised the students she would dye it pink and blue if 75 percent of the kids received recognition at the commended level for their performances on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS). A healthy 65.9 percent of her students were commended, so she dyed her hair mostly blue with just a little pink. To reach the commended level, a student can miss only six out of 48 questions on the test.
STAFF PHOTO BY MURRAY JUDSON