Issues
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Academic Decline
With STAAR scores averaging around 50% meets grade level, it should be no surprise that there is a problem. For at least two years district staff have presented to current board members MAPS testing, beginning of year, middle of year, and end of year results that show regression in Math and Reading across all grade levels. This level of unrealized learning will take years to overcome. In spite of TX Ed Code 28.002 explicitly banning the use of Common Core State Standards, this is exactly what is being used in LISD. Bridges, Amplify, Dreambox, IXL, ExploreLearning, among many others, all align with CCSS.
In addition, LISD has made a drastic shift to digital learning. In 2018, the district spent $4M on software. In 2023, software jumped to $13.5M. Years of research have proven time and time again that children learn better through textbooks, pen and paper. Digital learning has not been proven to result in better outcomes. Across the state, there are over 10,000 children on waiting lists for charter schools, seeking a more classical education with books.
*Data collected from annual check registers available on the district financial site
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Teacher Retention
LISD loses 15-20% of teachers each year. Trying to replace 500 teachers each year has led to a crisis, and in many cases, these teachers have been replaced with uncertified teachers. In other industries, it's well known that people quit managers, not jobs. What is left motivating teachers to stay? Their love for their students and their campus support system. Teaching is truly a calling, and I believe that we need to change the entire tone, from the top, and have the critical conversations to really understand what support teachers need.
While I don't think this is the only issue causing teachers to leave, it certainly is a factor. Since 2018, when LISD was still a fast-growth, destination district, to 2023, overall salaries for school staff have only seen a 28% increase, in 6 years! All other non-school departments have increased 126% though! LISD has failed to invest in their most important asset, the teachers.
Overall_Salary_Growth_Since_2018.pdf
*All data collected from annual LISD salary data received through PIR
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Social Emotional Learning (SEL)
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Financial Irresponsibility
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