Primarily, Azaiez said he and other administrators are working to increase access to enrollment in the district’s Pre-K 3 program, which provides early childhood education to children to cultivate and develop oral language and social-emotional skills.
Investments in students’ education can pave the way for early success once they enter elementary school, he said.
“If they are reading at about third grade, their chances of getting a high school diploma and eventually going to college or wherever they want, it’s very high,” Azaiez said.
He also pointed to the district’s ongoing efforts to expand existing career and technical education as well as advanced offerings so students can begin learning about possible fields of employment well before graduation.
"Once they’re there, when they’re doing well, we’re going to make sure that they have meaningful careers to take advantage of,” Azaiez said.
Through the enhancement of existing programs and increasing Pre-K 3 enrollment, Azaiez said he wants to challenge students to address their graduation prerequisites earlier in their educational career so they are free to explore available opportunities.
“We believe that we have some of the smartest kids in Texas,” Azaiez said. “We’re going to make sure that they’re being challenged enough. We believe that they can do the work.”
Top priorities
- Pre-K 3 enrollment: Increase the number of families who are able to enroll their children in the district's free early childhood program
- Career and technical education courses: Challenge students to knock out high school and college-level prerequisite courses early in their educational career
- Close the achievement gap: Address causes of achievement gaps between student groups to provide equitable access to district offerings
