TISD lauds audit, approves new THS’ course guide

Texarkana Independent School District Board of Trustees met Tuesday to consider the 2017 audit report, the 2018-19 course guide for Texas High School, a professional development programming update, the student academic performance report and Community-Based Assessment report.

The board also heard a report from Thomas & Thomas, LLP on the 2016-17 audit. The firm gave a clean opinion of the district’s accounting procedures and said TISD maintains sound financial practices. The district ended the fiscal year with a fund balance of $16.2 million, an increase of $337,526 over the previous year. The fund balance at the end of 2016-17 was 28% of expenditures.

Trustees also approved the Texas High School Program of Studies and Course Description Guide for the upcoming school year. New courses include computer science III pre-AP, AP physics C—mechanics, electricity and magnetism, physics I DC and practicum in agriculture, food & natural resources.

AP seminar and AP research classes will also be offered next year for students in the 11th grade through the AP Capstone Program. Texas High School is now one of 135 schools in Texas to offer the program, which equips students with the independent research, collaborative teamwork and communication skills that are increasingly valued by colleges. Students who earn scores of three or higher in AP seminar and AP research, and on four additional AP exams of their choosing, will receive the AP Capstone Diploma.

The new courses for 2018-19 will give Texas High a total of 511 courses, which includes 29 AP courses and 84 dual credit courses. Twenty-one certifications in career and technology courses are also part of the curriculum.

Board members also heard an update on professional development opportunities for teachers, which showed that the district offered a back-toschool conference-style professional development program in August, which had 761 attendees, 295 individual sessions and 101 presenters. Professional development programs focused on a balanced literacy framework are being offered throughout the year, along with after school learning opportunities in technology, bilingual/ESL, math, science, literacy and special education.

The 2016-17 Texas Education Agency Student Academic Performance Report showed all campuses received the “Met Standard” rating, and TISD earned 20 Distinction Designations in ELA/reading, mathematics, science and social studies, as well as distinctions for top 25 percent in student progress, top 25 percent in closing achievement gaps and post-secondary readiness.

Another report showed that more TISD students are taking the Scholastic Aptitude Test . The district average score of 1064 exceeds the state average of 1019 by 45 points. For the American College Test (ACT), the district’s student average is 20.8, slightly higher than the state average of 20.7.

The final section for the Student Academic Report focused on scholarships awarded and the three state graduation programs from which Texas students may choose.

Texas High’s class of 2017 received a total of $17,676,333 in scholarships. Twenty-four percent of graduates attained the Distinguished Achievement Program level, the highest diploma a student can earn in Texas. It requires advanced schoolwork that reflects college or professional-level skills and a combination of four advanced measures–a score of three or above on an AP exam, research project, commended scholar or higher on the Preliminary Scholastic Assessment Test and a 3.0 GPA in college credit courses.

Fifty-seven percent of graduates received the Recommended Program diploma, which is given to students who earn 26 course credits, including four credits each of math, science, social studies and ELA. These graduates must not only pass their classes, but also pass state exit exams.

In other business, Superintendent Paul Norton presented the district’s Community Based Assessment report. This past spring, TISD launched a survey for parents, employees, students and community members to address teaching and learning, student opportunities, school culture and climate, along with facilities and operations. The survey’s purpose was to ensure the school district was setting priorities that aligned with stakeholders’ priorities. Data collected is being used by district leadership for future decision-making and strategic planning.

The completed Community Based Assessment program is available at www.txkisd.net.