Superintendent Mark Ramirez told trustees he\u2019s had no new updates from the Texas Education Agency since Commissioner Mike Morath\u2019s recent visit<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cOver the past few years, I hoped that our district would improve, but hope doesn\u2019t have a plan,\u201d she said. \u201cBelief has a plan. I believe in the plan Dr. Ramirez has made for this district.\u201d<\/p>\n She wants trustees to work as one united board and strengthen the district\u2019s partnership with the city so that LWISD schools and the community move forward together, she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Lake Worth Mayor Walter Bowen, who\u2019s led the city since 1995, attended the Nov. 19 meeting. Bowen isn\u2019t \u201cinvolved in school business\u201d but came to listen.<\/p>\n \u00a0\u201cI\u2019m here to learn,\u201d he said, adding that he wishes the district well.<\/p>\n With no new word yet from Morath, Ramirez said the district is staying focused on students and improving learning.<\/p>\n The district faces a possible state takeover triggered by years of low performance at Marilyn Miller Language Academy, which failed state academic standards for five consecutive years, meeting the threshold for intervention under state law<\/a>.<\/p>\n Ramirez added that, based on conversations with agency officials, it\u2019s \u201cmore than likely\u201d the district will hear something in December or January about the state\u2019s next steps.<\/p>\n \u201cUntil then, and even after then, I\u2019m going to just say our focus is going to be on our students,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Academic data shows early gains<\/p>\n Ramirez outlined early-year data trends and new systems for monitoring instruction.<\/p>\n Beginning-of-year test scores show fewer students performing at the lowest levels and more reaching into on-grade-level expectations compared to last year, Ramirez said. The district uses the national NWEA Measures of Academic Progress, or MAP, assessment to track student performance throughout the year.<\/p>\n \u201cThat\u2019s what we want to see, and we\u2019re definitely on that trajectory,\u201d Ramirez said.<\/p>\n Collins Middle School Principal Antonio Tijerina pointed to early gains as a sign the campus is moving in the right direction. The district\u2019s long-term goal is to raise the share of STAAR tests scoring at least \u201cmeets\u201d grade level 19% to 60% by 2027-28.<\/p>\n By the end of this year, the goal is 35%. The State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, determines how well students are performing on grade-level by categorizing results into four categories: did not meet, approaches, meets and masters.<\/p>\n Tijerina reported that 25% of beginning-of-year math MAP tests scored at least meets \u2014 a six-point increase from last year. First-quarter cumulative exams showed similar progress, rising to 26%, a seven-point gain.<\/p>\n \u201cFor us to already be at 26% just speaks volumes on the trajectory that we\u2019re at for our target goal, which is amazing,\u201d he said. \u201cIt\u2019s a huge win. It\u2019s a huge plus, and we\u2019re gonna continue on going to get that goal.\u201d<\/p>\n Middle-of-year testing begins Dec. 8. Central office leaders expect to spend part of their winter break analyzing results.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ramirez highlighted two new structures he said are central to the district\u2019s turnaround work: A redesigned campus walk-through system that gives principals more frequent, focused feedback on instruction, and shifting campus instructional coaches back into full-time observations and classroom support.<\/p>\n During the walk-throughs, principals and central office staff look not only at what teachers are doing but at how individual students are engaging with the lesson \u2014 whether they\u2019re on task, able to explain what they\u2019re working on and demonstrating mastery of the day\u2019s objective. Ramirez said that level of detail is meant to give campuses clearer snapshots of what students are actually learning.<\/p>\n Instructional coaches \u2014 staff who support teachers \u2014 model lessons and help strengthen classroom instruction. In recent years, Ramirez said, coaches had been pulled into campus operations and student management tasks, leaving less time to observe lessons or guide teachers.<\/p>\n He reminded trustees that about 60 days of instruction remain before state testing.<\/p>\n \u201cThat should make any principal\u2019s heart beat a little faster \u2014 maybe even spark a little panic,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Board approves math adoption, turnaround plans<\/p>\n Lake Worth ISD\u2019s five areas of focus under campus turnaround plans<\/p>\n Trustees took steps district officials said will help reach those goals.\u00a0<\/p>\n The board unanimously approved adopting the state-developed Bluebonnet Learning<\/a> math lessons from kindergarten through Algebra I as the district\u2019s main, everyday math lessons. Neighboring districts, Fort Worth<\/a> and Eagle Mountain-Saginaw<\/a>, adopted Bluebonnet math lessons earlier this year.\u00a0<\/p>\n The state provides $60 per student for districts that choose Bluebonnet Learning \u2014 funding the materials themselves and an additional allotment to help cover printing costs. Lake Worth ISD will receive $190,860 for using the lessons.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s like a complete package built out of a day-by-day curriculum for teachers,\u201d said Crystal Deaver, the district\u2019s assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction.\u00a0<\/p>\n The board also approved updated turnaround plans for Marine Creek Leadership Academy and Collins Middle School, which have both failed the state\u2019s academic accountability system for at least three consecutive years. The plans lay out five areas of focus \u2014 all aimed at getting students stronger, faster.<\/p>\n Those include adding teachers to reduce class sizes and shifting a centralized behavior program into smaller supports at each elementary campus.<\/p>\n State grants will cover most of the work \u2014 paying for teacher training, extra coaching and classroom materials, officials said.<\/p>\n \u201cThe consistency within our practice amongst the district is what\u2019s making a difference with our already improved results,\u201d said Sylonda Burns, executive director of campus leadership and school improvement.<\/p>\n That theme of consistency \u2014 and belief \u2014 echoed back to Thomas\u2019 first remarks as president.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen we believe in the plan and we stand behind it together, that\u2019s when change truly begins,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Matthew Sgroi is an education reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at matthew.sgroi@fortworthreport.org or @matthewsgroi1<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n\n
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