EDGE to be implemented on 2 east-end elementary campuses
Fort Bend ISD officials have selected Briargate and Ridgemont elementary schools to be pilot campuses for its new Educators Dedicated to Growing Excellence program.
Fort Bend ISD trustees approved new jobs and stipends on March 7 for the pilot program, which will pour about a million dollars into each campus to improve student achievement.
Briargate and Ridgemont both did not meet Texas Education Agency standards in the 2014-15 school year, and the secondary campuses their students go on to attend have had problems meeting standards as well.
The program will change how teachers instruct students. Instead of the traditional classroom model of one teacher instructing 22 students, under the EDGE model, each grade level would have a team of teachers with different levels of experience. These teachers could divide students between themas needed, depending on factors such as learning style or subject strength.
There will also be an after-school program called Club EDGE that will provide meals, clubs and tutoring.
All teachers at Briargate and Ridgemont will have to reapply to stay at their campuses. Teachers at other Fort Bend ISD campuses or outside of the district can also apply for the positions.
Any Briargate or Ridgemont teachers who choose not to reapply or are not selected to participate in the program will be assigned to a different school.
Both Ridgemont and Briargate already qualify for federal funding because a high percentage of their students come from economically disadvantaged backgrounds. About 90 percent of students at Ridgemont and 86 percent at Briargate in the 2014-15 school year were economically disadvantaged, according to Texas Education Agency data.
For more information about EDGE, visit www.fortbendisd.com/edge.
Candidates for instructional positions in the program are invited to attend upcoming EDGE information meetings.
Candidates who are employees of Fort Bend ISD are invited to a meeting from 5-6 p.m. March 22 at Wheeler Field House. Internal and external candidates are invited at 5 p.m. March 29 to the Administrative Annex, 3119 Sweetwater Blvd., Sugar Land.
EDGE positions will be posted on the district’s Job Postings site onMarch24.