In Richardson ISD, 51% of teachers rated their schools as excellent heading into the current academic year, according to a “Beginning of the Year” survey that was presented during an Oct. 20 board of trustees meeting.

According to district officials, the purpose of the survey was to help diagnose areas of success and areas of need early into the 2022-23 school year. Areas of need help determine upcoming board policy changes that may be made going forward, RISD Superintendent Tabitha Branum said.

“Last year, our feedback was taken and great changes were made [within the district]," Branum said. “I believe this district is doing all it can so that students will succeed. Please keep connecting with the parents, and let's keep working together for the common goal.”

The survey was administered to all full-time teachers in September with both campus and centrally assigned teachers participating. Of the 2,400 total responses, 89% of RISD teachers surveyed rated the district as either excellent or good.

District officials said they identified several areas of strength among the responses. These include campus and administrative support for teachers with 91% of teachers citing support from campus leadership.

According to the survey, areas the survey identified as places to improve include discipline, support and resources for Title I, compensation and special education supports. Among the responses, 19% of teachers said they do not believe discipline is enforced consistently at campuses, while 21% said unruly behavior is allowed to disrupt the learning environment.

Branum said the district plans to alleviate those discipline concerns by focusing on student dress code and through the adoption of a new cellphone policy, giving the teachers more control of the classroom.

“I feel like Richardson ISD is a healthy and effective mix of guiding the teachers and allowing them to have autonomy,” Branum said. "Teaching for some is an art, and RISD allows you to practice that.”

The issue of compensation is a continued discussion within the district after the passage of a new starting salary during a May 9 board meeting, according to Branum.

For more information on the Oct. 20 board meeting, including an analysis of Measures of Academic Progress, click here.