School board focuses on student improvement

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  Yorktown teachers use a TIL chart to cover tested concepts. From the knowledge and skills descriptions to the success criteria and example questions, students can see the larger groupings of their learning. STAFF PHOTO

  Yorktown teachers use a TIL chart to cover tested concepts. From the knowledge and skills descriptions to the success criteria and example questions, students can see the larger groupings of their learning. STAFF PHOTO

Yorktown’s elementary and secondary principals reported the progress and goals of their students at the July 15 regular meeting of the Yorktown ISD School Board. The board also evaluated goals with their Lone Star Governance coach and heard a report on the proposed budget, which will be workshopped and approved in August.

The board has been working with Lone Star Governance (LSG) Coach Debbie Saxton to improve their effectiveness. The Lone Star Governance program is an initiative of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) that helps governing bodies improve.

Each meeting Saxton reviews specific goals such as the percentage of meeting time focused on student improvement, visions and goals, systems and processes, progress and accountability, advocacy and engagement, and synergy and teamwork. As she goes through the meeting’s focus items, board members grade themselves as a group on the goal.

One suggestion from Saxton was that students participate in promoting the district’s vision to the community as well as more social media posts to inform the community.

The reports from district principals reflect a focus on improving student outcomes.

Elementary (YES) Principal Laura Patek described what WILDCATS look like: Worthwhile, Impactful, Longevity, Determination, Collaboration, Achievement, Teamwork, and Sparks.

“I’ve never worked with a group of people more willing to step out and try new things that I was bringing to the campus,” Patek said. “It was completely new for them.”

She said the teachers established norms for after-school meetings to hold each other accountable for them. “Of course they always had snacks and drinks on their norms,” Patek said.

She said they did the same thing with students, establishing norms of behavior throughout the school, and any teacher could hold any student accountable for the expectations in that area.

Longevity was reflected in 48 of the 49 staff members returning, Patek said.

She demonstrated the TIL (Texas Institute of Leadership) charts that teachers use for their guiding curriculum. A chart is created for each concept which includes the lists of knowledge, skills and success criteria as well as sample questions in the format used on STAAR. Patek said teachers re-create their charts every two years to include updates.

Patek also went through the color-coded wall visuals that teachers use on their “data dig” staff meetings to clarify problem areas that need focus. She said all of that together combined to make the amazing results on this year’s testing.

“Spark, or to ignite enthusiasm,” Patek said. “The key to making it fun for students and teachers is what is helping ignite their learning.” She also described the many positive behavior reinforcements from Cash Cats Store, such as playing basketball or special foods.

Lastly, she played a video showing activities at Camp ROAR (Reach Outstanding Academic Results), which was held June 1-27 to give students extra support in learning.

Secondary Principal Michael Hannum, who has been with the district since April, showed the STAAR scores of junior high. He said he wants his teachers to focus on helping the “meets grade level” students to move them to “masters.”

“We have amazing teachers and amazing students,” Hannum said. “What I find that we’re lacking in is some of the tools that we need to do this.”

He said the school needs high quality instruction materials (HQIM), such as the Carnegie Learning materials that are researched based instructional practices that maintain rigor - not in extra work, but in going deeper into the curriculum.

Hannum described a learning concept of productive struggle that was discussed in teacher training earlier in the day. With productive struggle, individuals have time on their own in a safe environment to meet a challenge. He referenced a child who had been coached and supported in learning to ride a bike, but was actually successful when the bike was available indoors at his own pace.

Business Manager Erin Merk went over the estimates of salaries and other expenses in the 2024/25 proposed budget. One of the main salary increases was in stipends for coaches and staff who also drive buses as well as STAAR subject teachers. She said that teachers will have 15 fewer days of work with the new schedule, but custodians will still work, so they will get a stipend.

Dr. Chandler then reviewed students’ STAAR progress from grade to grade over four-years time. In general, a drop can be seen in 6th grade and a jump in 9th grade. She said the main question is “Are we giving them a year’s growth?” and the data indicates there is work to do in the “meets” and “masters.”

The district is scheduled to receive its accountability rating from TEA on August 15. TEA did not give out accountability rates last year, she said.