What's happening
During a Nov. 20 JISD board of trustees meeting, administrative staff told the board they were submitting improvement plans for:According to the administration's presentation, targeted improvement plans are assigned to campuses with either one F or three consecutive D TEA ratings, or an identification for comprehensive support and improvement.
The plans consider needs assessments and feedback to develop a strategy and action steps, according to the presentation. Implementation for each campus is scheduled through August 2026.
Targeted improvement plan strategies are based on the five levers of the TEA’s effective school framework: strong school leadership and planning, strategic staffing, positive school culture, high quality instructional materials and assessments, and effective instruction.
Part of the strategy is “capacity building,” wherein campuses under improvement plans receive more touchpoint meetings with administrators and receive additional support from Education Service Center Region 20, or ESC 20.
ESC 20 is one of 20 regional education service agencies within Texas that aid school districts in improving student performance and improving school operation efficiency, according to its website.
Offering input
Superintendent Milton “Rob” Fields III said TEA and ESC 20 representatives have been doing campus walkthroughs, with ESC 20 wanting to open Judson campuses for other districts as an improvement plan example.
Fields also said campus staff has been focusing on internalization, thinking critically about lesson plans and anticipating what students’ questions will be.
“The elementary staff is truly incorporating this internalization piece,” Fields said.
Kristin Saunders, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, said her interactions with ESC 20 have been positive thus far, including during a visit at Converse Elementary.
“[The representative] started by saying I could feel it the moment I stepped on the campus, whatever that ‘it’ is, they have it going on. When someone who doesn’t live here is able to step on the campus and say that, it warms your heart,” Saunders said.
What trustees are saying
Board Vice President Amanda Poteet credited both the administration staff and campus leaders for their contributions toward the plans.
"Thank you for everything [administration is] doing and thank you for all the staff on campuses and what you guys are accomplishing right now. It's appreciated, and I know that those kids and those parents absolutely adore you guys," Poteet said.
Trustee José Macias Jr. said he's still aiming for a higher district grade in the next round of TEA ratings after the district received a D rating for 2024-25.
"I've kind of put it out there in the media and all over the world that we're going to be a B district next year, so I still feel pretty powerful about that initiative," Macias said.
Next steps
Targeted improvement plans were submitted to the TEA before the Nov. 21 deadline, and the district will receive notification of the TEA’s acceptance by Jan. 23. If the TEA does not accept the initial plan proposal, the district would need to resubmit a plan by March 24, with final acceptance or rejection made by the TEA by April 8, according to the presentation.
