At the Oct. 17 regular meeting, RISD trustees discussed a variety of topics.
Beginning of Year MAP Data
The Measurement of Academic Progress (MAP) is a student assessment tool used by school districts across Texas and the U.S. to measure how students are doing three times each school year in reading and math. It is a tool designed and intended to drive continuous improvement efforts for all students. Monitoring MAP data through a school year helps teachers and educators know how well each student is understanding the curriculum and at what level of mastery. Teachers then know which students need additional instruction or interventions in certain areas to ensure they are growing academically.
RISD presented beginning of year (BoY) Map data to RISD trustees on Oct. 17. MAP is an indicator of whether a student’s actual growth reached their individual expected growth based on previous assessments. MAP results are a normed distribution, meaning that while the tool anticipates all students will grow academically, 50% of students should meet their expected growth goals.
RISD’s 2024-25 BoY MAP data indicates academic growth across grade levels and student groups compared to BoY MAP data last fall. RISD students as a whole are meeting national growth norms and are currently on track to continue academic growth over 2024-25. While MAP is a tool primarily used by educators during the school year to help inform teaching and intervention decisions, it is also useful as an annual overall metric, especially when considered with other student performance data, such as STAAR results. RISD will report mid-year MAP results early next semester.
Watch the presentation and discussion
JROTC Programs Attract Students, Continue Growth
RISD Trustees heard an update about the district’s JROTC programs. The U.S. Army Junior Reserve Officers’ Training Corps is one of the largest character development and citizenship programs for youth in the world. Available at each RISD high school, the programs are credit-bearing elective classes and led by qualified and dedicated retired military personnel. In the current school year, 549 RISD students participate in JROTC as cadets, and their work in the program helps them realize benefits such as:
- Increased leadership, character, and citizenship qualities
- Increased academic achievement
- Increased post-secondary readiness, such as military, college, or the workforce
- More likely to graduate high school
- More likely to go to college and succeed in their careers
The JROTC curriculum is based on the principles of performance-based learner-centered education, and emphasizes communication, responsibility for actions and choices, critical thinking, and respectful treatment of others. RISD’s goal is to continue to grow JROTC programs at each high school and offer the opportunity and benefits to all interested students.
Watch the presentation and discussion
RISD Earns Superior Financial Integrity Rating
The district once again received the maximum possible rating on all but one parameter measured by the state as part of the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas. RISD earned 98 total points and received a rating of “Superior.”
The FIRST method ensures Texas public schools “are held accountable for the quality of their financial management practices, and that they improve those practices,” according to the Texas Education Agency.
Watch the presentation and discussion
RISD Buildings Renamed
Trustees voted to rename five district buildings impacted by this year’s Project RightSize school and facility repurposing plan. An RISD facilities naming committee conducted a public survey in August and discussed options to arrive at recommendations to trustees. In the case of buildings formerly operating as schools, the majority of public suggestions included requests to continue to recognize each building’s neighborhood location in any new name.
Trustees voted to approve the following new RISD facility names:
- Greenwood Hills Learning Center
- Little Rams & Little Wildcats Child Learning Academy at Springridge
- RISD Support Center (formerly Christa McAuliffe Learning Center)
- Spring Valley Learning Center
- Thurgood Marshall Student Success Academy
