TISD: State ratings do not define them, points to progress made

TEXARKANA, Texas (KTAL/KMSS) – Report cards are out. Not for students but for Texas school districts, and according to the state department of education’s criteria, Texarkana Independent School District (TISD) received a ‘D’ grade for the last school year.

“I’m not going to let that one score define our district because I know the fantastic things that we’re doing and we’ve already shown great improvements in a lot of areas,” says Christy Tidwell, chief of elementary schools at TISD.

The district says that before the official grades ever came to light, they were working on ways to improve, starting with their most valuable tools.

“Our mantra this year for the teachers is we just want you to teach and grow kids, and everything else is up to us,” says Tidwell.

TISD is using funding incentives to attract higher-quality teachers to some of the struggling schools that are harder to staff. They are also implementing high-quality instructional materials from the state, which include lesson plans.

“Just internalize how am I going to deliver this versus having to go out and find all the resources then determine how am I going to teach it. It really takes a lot of weight off the teachers,” says Tidwell.

Some shortcomings have already been addressed thanks to completed bond projects. Three of the lowest graded schools are in completely new campuses. The new Dunbar Early Education Center opened its doors to students at the beginning of this school year.

“We have a beautiful state-of-the-art pre-K center that we will be able to capture as many 3 and 4-year-olds as we can and starting with that early. It’s really follows the pre-kindergarten guidelines, but it’s very engaging and play-based learning,” says Tidwell.

Highland Park and Spring Lake Park Elementary Schools have been merged into the new Parks Elementary.

“To really give our kids exposure to what are all the careers out there that I can, I can go straight from this elementary. I can focus on this at our middle school, and then that gives me a pathway straight into the high school that I can leave high school ready to walk into a career,” says Tidwell.

The district is also working on a new career and technical education building at Texas High. They hope this will address career readiness, which is an aspect of the high school’s grading criteria, along with graduation rates and test scores.

“The opportunities for our students there to get internships with companies in this city. We can partner with our businesses and leaders across our community, and just bridging that gap and bringing everyone together to get that community support and then give our kids those opportunities. They will have opportunities to learn everything from grooming to dentistry to culinary to health sciences,” says Tidwell.

TISD says they believe their potential will soon be realized, and that their perception will match the state’s.

“I love this district and I know what all of the opportunities that we have for our students. And I truly believe that the efforts that we’re doing right now are going to make a tremendous impact on all of our campuses in the coming year,” says Tidwell.