In my last blog, “It’s
Year 2, so what do we do?”, I referenced some of the next steps in
implementing HB 5, focusing on the importance of outcomes, not just the process
relating to Community and Student engagement ratings. Surprisingly, I have gotten feedback that
suggests that a small number of districts actually did very little in year one,
believing that HB 5 is a “stop along the way” and that the next legislative
session will result in significant changes to, or overturning of, HB 5.
Admittedly, we have no way of knowing exactly what the
legislature, under new leadership, will do on the public education front. There will continue to be significant
conversation about charters and vouchers as a part of the school choice
discussion. Remember that public
education is, in fact, a part of the school choice dialog; we must be very
clear in conveying that message to our representatives in Austin. Enough preaching, however.
One of the challenges of HB 5 is that it does not offer
specific guidance on how to address the requirements of the legislation, only a
framework and time lines for reporting of certain data. Instead, it gives individual school districts
the flexibility to define their unique approach to the options and
opportunities embodied in the bill. So
we have a choice – do we move forward with implementation of HB 5, or do we
stand by passively and wait for guidance?
My guess is that formal guidance will not come, so the latter option
seems rather foolhardy to me.
Instead, let’s follow the lead of Garland ISD, a large
district just north of Dallas. In a
series of presentations at Winter Governance and both SLI’s, Bobby J Rigues and
I highlighted Garland as one of those districts that stepped up and
aggressively defined a systematic approach to capitalize on HB 5
opportunities. GISD administration
defined a plan and then followed that plan, to the benefit of the students in
their district.
Here are some of the highlights of their plan and outcomes
from their efforts.
In the fall of 2013, GISD created four implementation task
forces:
Ø Foundations
Program/4-year Plan
Ø Endorsements/Course
Offerings
Ø Business
and Higher Education Partnerships
Ø
Accountability and Assessment
Foundations
Program
GISD
embarked on a significant communications program, including conducting parent
meetings and hosting a Student Career Expo.
They developed a Foundation High School Course Guide and a Career and
Technology (CTE) brochure. As they moved
into 2014, they updated the program guide, held additional parent meetings
surrounding HB 5, and conducted senior interviews for each student.
Endorsements and Course Offerings
GISD spent considerable time aligning existing curriculum
with the five defined endorsement opportunities. As part of their communications efforts, they
developed a short information film, as well as course guides for each High
School and a list of endorsements for CTE.
They have since updated and communicated the FHSP summary document.
Business and Higher Education Partnerships
Beginning with a definition of CTE opportunities and
targets, the committee sought out business partnerships for participation in
the Student Career Expo. They
established relationships with institutions of higher education (IHE),
including Texas A&M-Commerce, Eastland College, and Richland College. In early 2014, GISD hosted a series of
industry sessions, including construction, hospitality and tourism, and health
sciences, and expanded dual credit opportunities for their students.
Accountability and Assessment
The Accountability and Assessment Committee went through the
process of completing and reporting on self-evaluation criteria for all campuses
and the district. In 2014, the committee
is reviewing the self-evaluation criteria and rubric, similar to the approach adopted
by Carroll ISD and highlighted in my last blog.
So where are you in implementing HB 5 opportunities? Are you still in the starting blocks, waiting
(or hoping) for the next session to change the overall framework relating to
local control and governance? Or are you
at the other end of the spectrum and aggressively implementing programs your
district defined that align with the needs of your community and the students
you serve? I certainly encourage you to
push forward, to listen to your communities and students, and to take actions
that provide the greatest benefit to your students.
While we may not control the discussion surrounding school
choice, we certainly can take steps to strengthen public education. House Bill 5 gave us that opportunity, an
opportunity that we must pursue if we are to retain local governance but, more
importantly, an opportunity to provide our students with resources and programs
that align with their interests.
Remember, it is all about the kids!
Make sure you keep that in mind in all that you do relating to HB 5.
