Well, here it is, the LTISD “District Improvement Plan.” It sounds as if it came straight out of Dilbert’s Mission Statement Generator.
I was at the Board Workshop when the text of this bombastic play on words was debated, and I might at debated for quite some time. During this debate, many interesting things were said such as:
Jim Cummings, President, LTISD Board of Trustees said that one of his campaign slogans was: “Hire well and fire well.”
Mayo Davidson informed us that in his 9+ years as an LTISD Board member, he did not know about TEKS. The LTISD Administration thought that Mayo did not know what the acronym stood for, “Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills”, so they spell it out in the document for him. But I really think that Mayo was telling them that he does not know what TEKS means, acronym or not. Amazing, 9 years on the Board and still ignorant! But, let’s be fair and ask: “Just what does Mayo know?” He does know that he hates taxes! Then we have to ask: “Just how much does he pay in taxes to support the school district that he represents?”
Let’s take a look at some key phrases used in the LTISD “District Improvement Plan” and try to decipher their cryptic grandiose exhibition of word play:
Well, needless to say, they are really licking their wounds from their recent second consecutive “academically acceptable” rating from TEA. It really shows in their search for their own alternate metrics to make them feel like they have actually were not rated so badly. Earlier I told you about their quest for “cohort” and “lighthouse districts,” and now you can see it in their own written documents.
My vocabulary has been enlarged. I thought that a “cohort” was a term used by the Romans to describe the numerical strength of a military unit.
“The District will look beyond the definition of exemplary as defined by the state and national accountability rating systems toward research-based achievement measures and best practices.”
“Establish a state-wide cohort of “lighthouse” districts to research and with which to collaborate regarding best practices in education.”
“Promote governance and public policy initiatives that reflect a strong commitment to public education, and specifically, the interests of Lake Travis ISD, while developing relationships and partnerships with other districts and organizations across the country to clearly define and pursue district excellence beyond the definitions mandated in state and federal law or policy”
“Establish a cohort group of at least four districts state-wide in addition to Lake Travis ISD for the purpose of collaborating in pursuit of organizational excellence and advancement.”
I like how they want to exceed the state TEKS requirements! Rocky, you should try master the TEA Academic Excellence Indicator System first then aspire to greater accomplishments. Learn to crawl before trying to run the marathon!
“Develop, implement, assess, and support full implementation of a high quality, vertically aligned curriculum that exceeds the state’s TEKS* requirements by enhancing and utilizing research-based best practices from across the state and nation.
*Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills”What exactly is “vertically aligned curriculum?” I doubt that they know that it means, but it does sound good. Doesn’t it?
Now we move beyond “vertically” to both “vertically” and “horizontally!” You thought that “vertically aligned” sounded good, well, let’s add a second dimension to the “alignment” to sound like we really know what we are talking about!
“100% of the curriculum in the core areas will be vertically / horizontally aligned”
Hey, the LTISD is stuck in a two dimension paradigm. What about “depth?” I forgot, “depth” is something they know nothing anything about.
Just what are you “vertically” and “horizontally” aligning to?
Just what does this this sentence mean?
“Recognition that the District will build its capacity to implement a comprehensive communication plan that is dynamic, proactive, robust, energetic and serves to advance support for and understanding of the District’s philosophy, commitments, and decisions.”
A “robust” communication plan? Perhaps you should concentrate on a “robust” means of ensuring that the LTISD follows its own policies and procedures, not to mention state and Federal law!
“Energetic” communications?
Oh, the “hyperbole!” Mayo, you of all people should point out their “empty hyperbole.”
Guess what, the LTISD is now going to exercise “competent management and stewardship!” Just when will this take place? I guess it is better late than never!
“Construction projects, land acquisition and objectives of the current and prospective bond programs will receive professional, competent management and stewardship.”
Talk is cheap, what the tax payers want to know is just how are you going to do this? How can we trust your rhetoric without any meaningful plans in place to back it up?
“100% of the curriculum will be developed using research-based best practices”
Yes, but how current are these “research-based best practices?”
The district’s own hired consultants said:
“The implementation of the inclusive educational program and services in Lake Travis Independent School District has not kept pace with current and emerging exemplary practices. Several aspects of the inclusive education services are reflective of “best practices” from twenty or more years ago.” (BEST PRACTICE REVIEW: Least Restrictive Environment & Special Education Services, pages 21-22)
“In many instances, organizational and teaching practices do not align with best practices in educating students with disabilities in the least restrictive environment.” (BEST PRACTICE REVIEW: Least Restrictive Environment & Special Education Services, page 19)
“Curriculum guides will be utilized in the creation of lesson plans and the delivery of instruction”
Is this in response to the report issued by the LTISD consultants? They said:
“Little differentiation of instruction was noted. In most classes observed, the learners were passive. Students basically did the same thing, at the same rate, and at the same time.” (BEST PRACTICE REVIEW: Least Restrictive Environment & Special Education Services, page 21)
“Despite previous training opportunities, there was little evidence of differentiation, curriculum compacting, flexible grouping, or tiered assignments, in the more than 65 settings that were observed.” (BEST PRACTICE REVIEW: Least Restrictive Environment & Special Education Services, page 22)
“There was little data indicating that purposeful instructional planning, including daily and long-range lesson planning, was occurring.” (BEST PRACTICE REVIEW: Least Restrictive Environment & Special Education Services, page 22)
“In general, there was little bell-to-bell instruction occurring.” (BEST PRACTICE REVIEW: Least Restrictive Environment & Special Education Services, page 22)
Isn’t Rocky responsible? Take a look at BJA(LEGAL), BJA(LOCAL) and Education Code 11.201(a).
“Implement a plan of recruitment, selection, induction, development, and retention of employees that reflects a district commitment to Good to Great© concepts regarding personnel.”
I guess that the “Good to Great© concepts regarding personnel” apply to everyone except Rocky? Isn’t he “responsible” for the district?
Rocky’s page on the the LTISD’s own web site points to written LTISD Board Policy BJA(LEGAL) which says: “The duties of the Superintendent include: Assuming administrative responsibility and leadership for the planning, operation, supervision, and evaluation of the education programs, services, and facilities of the District and for the annual performance appraisal of the District’s staff.”
“Lake Travis ISD will impact local, state, and national education-related public policies that support the best interests of our students, staff, and community.”
“Promote the interest of the District at local, state, and national levels, as appropriate.”
This is code for: “We will hire lobbyists and spend our time and your tax dollars actively lobbying rather than educating the children.” You know that J. David Thompson III does not come cheap.
When it is all said and done, words are impressive, but where is the plan to make all of this happen? Do we think that Rocky can lead the LTISD in this vision?
“Thunder is good, thunder is impressive; but it is lightning that does the work.”
-Mark Twain
Did you know how the “academically acceptable” LTISD spends tax payers money, per student, compared to “recognized” districts? »« Did you know what Rocky said to the Chamber of Commerce regarding the new “District Improvement Plan?”
