PGISD teachers tout pros of data-driven instruction in classes

Pleasant Grove Independent School District's Central Services
Pleasant Grove Independent School District's Central Services

Trustees of Pleasant Grove Independent School District heard a report Thursday on how teachers at the elementary school are using data to drive instruction.

"Oftentimes administrators will look at children just as numbers and that's so far from the truth," Superintendent Dr. Jason Smith said. "Just like with any other industry, they're always trying to look at data points, trying to make it work, set the benchmarks and try to set new goals. That's all we're doing as well. What this allows us to with having updated and correct data on our students is trying to get a deep understanding on who's learning and not learning, what we're going to do about it. It's about 100 percent of our students mastering 100 percent of the time."

Elementary Principal Chad Blain and Assistant Principal Ashley Barker said the goal is to take immediate data on which questions students got correct or incorrect in a lesson and know immediately if that student needs additional help or can move on to the next level of instruction.

Teachers meet every week in professional learning communities to share and compare teaching methods and student outcomes.

"It is important we have those conversations with each other and make sure we reach our kids and teachers can offer pieces of that with each other," Blain said. "To target the skills of the students, we need to be working as a team."

The process includes formative assessments like quizzes and summative assessments, including end of unit and benchmark tests. Other evaluations are made during the year to help teachers determine exactly where that student is performing academically.

"You can see if student has or has not grown," Barker said. "I love how it gives this information to teachers and students."

Using data-driven instruction is creating specialized education, she added, saying they are trying to tailor education and instruction for each student.

"At the end of the day, we're here to make sure we're making each child successful and making an impact on their life," Blain said.

Smith said there have been many successes with using this system and that he thinks what they are doing at the elementary school is special.

"The level of understanding that our campus administrators have of each child and our teachers have on a daily basis is exciting," he said.

In other business, the board approved a contract with Red Lick ISD to charge them tuition for the education of students who live within their district.

Section 25.039 of the Texas Education Code allows districts to contract with each other for the education of students residing within their borders who are at a grade level not offered by the district. Red Lick does not provide grades 9-12 and this will allow PGISD to charge Red Lick a tuition determined by the State Commissioner of Education for each child enrolled who resides in Red Lick ISD but who attends grades 9-12 at PG. At the end of the school year, PG will invoice Red Lick for the tuition and Red Lick will then submit a request to the Texas Education Agency for the funds, passing them on to PGISD when granted.

For the 2017-18 school year, the amount is $1,482 per student.

"As of today, we have 25 students in the high school who reside in Red Lick ISD," District Business Director Derick Sibley said. "That's $37,000. We will invoice Red Lick for that." He added that Red Lick has the same agreement with Hooks and Redwater ISDs.

"They (Red Lick) reached out to us and are more than willing to do the work if we approve the contract and invoice them at the end of the year," he said.

The board also accepted a $3,890 donation from William Pruett to provide a demo security system at the elementary school.

"It will help us demo the new security system we are looking at," Smith said. "It will help us work out some of the logistics of it at the campus level in order to have a run through if the bond does pass."

The bond includes $250,000 for increased security, $1.2 million for technology upgrades and $18,519,862 for a new elementary school. If the bond passes, the current elementary building would be converted into a career and technology building for the high school students.

The proposed rate of $1.455 per $100 property valuation would increase the district's interest and sinking rate by 1.5 cents; the maintenance and operations tax rate would remain at $1.09. The current total rate is $1.44. Those over 65 with homestead exemption would not pay additional taxes.

Early voting will be held from 7:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m., April 23 to May 1 at Pleasant Grove Elementary. Regular voting will be held from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Saturday, May 5.

The next regular meeting is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. May 10 in Central Services, 8500 N. Kings Hwy. Texarkana, Texas.

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