Latest news with #BluebonnetLearning
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Fort Worth ISD reveals new lesson structures to help improve academic performance
As students in the Fort Worth Independent School District wrap up their last week of school, Superintendent Karen Molinar revealed details about how classroom lessons will be structured upon their return to school in the fall. Molinar gave a presentation to the school board on Tuesday, May 20, of Fort Worth ISD's new instructional framework that will go into effect in the 2025-26 school year for literacy and math. The framework is one of the components of the district's effort to turn around its stagnant academic performance. The goal is to promote consistency in the classroom and reduce planning time for teachers while keeping their autonomy intact. Beyond literacy and math, the framework will apply to all subjects for kindergarten through eighth grade, Molinar said. A framework for high school lessons is in the works. Molinar explained in-depth the three parts of the instructional framework: first teach; demonstration of learning; and reteach and challenge. First teach, the initial layer of instruction known as tier one instruction, includes addressing gaps students have in prerequisite skills, adjusting what students are learning or how they're learning it, and using techniques that allow students to participate and share their thinking during a lesson. 'Regardless of where they come in at, that first teach always has to be at grade level. If they're reading on a second-grade level, but they're in the third grade, they're always going to receive that third-grade instruction,' Molinar said. The second part, demonstration of learning, consists of no more than five questions that are aligned with the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, exam to gauge what students took away from the lesson. The final reteach and challenge block involves grouping students based on how they performed with their demonstration of learning to receive additional support if needed. Students who 'meet' or 'master' the material do enrichment activities to further their learning. District officials will provide teachers with lesson slide decks and questions for the demonstrations of learning to be used as guides during class time. The slide decks and lesson materials will be linked together in one place through an online portal. 'The lesson planning is done for the teachers. The delivery is the autonomy of the teacher,' Molinar said. 'Teachers are now going to be able to plan weeks in advance and really be able to adjust.' Molinar also presented a funding overview for various options of reading and math curriculum approved by the State Board of Education, which included the Bluebonnet Learning curriculum. Bluebonnet's literacy curriculum has sparked controversy for its Bible-infused reading materials. Molinar focused on the math portion of the Bluebonnet curriculum, including a presentation slide with bullet points explaining why it was 'a better choice for Fort Worth ISD.' Among the examples she mentioned were its instructional support for teachers, emergent bilingual students and students who previously have struggled with math. It also replicates the district's current curriculum, Eureka Math and Carnegie Learning, so teachers won't have to learn an entirely new curriculum. 🚨 More top stories from our newsroom: → Fort Worth ISD board approves plan to close 18 schools → TCU student murder case moves toward trial → Mansfield ISD board approves superintendent's contract [Get our breaking news alerts.] The school board approved the adoption and roughly $2 million purchase of the Bluebonnet Learning math curriculum later on in the meeting, in an 8-0 vote without discussion. School board member Wallace Bridges was absent. 'If there's a better resource for our students, and we're getting funding from the state, it's our obligation to put that in front of them and to make sure our teachers have the best curriculum and the best resources for our students,' Molinar said. Molinar also shared the district's update for dyslexia screening, which includes adding another screening for seventh-grade students. When students are taking their beginning-of-the-year MAP test, middle schools will do screening for seventh-graders identified by the district. By the end of the first six weeks of school, or Sept. 19, families will be given a data analysis of their child's screening with a literacy support plan. Students suspected of having dyslexia, or other disabilities under the umbrella of the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act, will be evaluated by district staff within 45 school days of staff receiving parental consent to do the evaluation.
Yahoo
14-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Christoval ISD to adopt 4-day school week
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — Christoval ISD has announced that it will transition to a four-day school week for the 2025-2026 academic year after surveys were conducted with teachers and parents. Under the change, CISD classes will be held on a Monday to Thursday schedule during the academic year rather than a five-day school week's Monday to Friday schedule. CISD said in a public statement issued on Thursday, March 13, that the transition 'is designed to create a more efficient and balanced schedule for both students and staff, while also providing opportunities for focused professional development and student intervention.' 'We believe this shift will help enhance the overall educational experience and foster a positive, supportive environment for everyone,' CISD said. According to a presentation given during the district's Wednesday, March 12, board meeting, CISD sent a teacher survey to all staff on Feb. 20 'to gauge interest of a 4-day school week.' The district received 66 responses. The survey showed that 86.4% of the CISD staff who responded 'would be in favor of a 4-day school week' and that 66.7% 'voted for a 4-day week with Friday off.' The district also observed that 84.8% of responding staff 'agreed that a 4-day week would impact their family in a positive manner' while noting that the 'majority of teachers would not need childcare.' San Angelo ISD to adopt Bluebonnet Learning curriculum A survey was then sent to parents on Feb. 25, garnering 361 responses. Data gathered from the survey revealed that 77.3% of parents who responded 'are in favor of a 4-day school week' and that 71.5% 'believe a 4-day week would make a positive impact.' Also observed through the parent survey was that 47.1% of responding parents 'preferred a 4-day week with Friday off' and that 58.4% 'said no childcare was needed.' CISD stated that two programs will be offered through YMCA San Angelo and Christoval Baptist Church during the 2025-2026 academic year 'to ensure a smooth transition and provide support to our families.' 'We are dedicated to making this transition as seamless as possible, with ongoing support and open communication,' CISD said. CISD's decision comes as part of a broader shift in Concho Valley schools in recent years toward four-day school weeks. Winters ISD adopted a four-day school week schedule at the start of the 2022-2023 academic year, while both TLCA San Angelo and Eden ISD made the change going into the 2023-2024 academic year. As part of its announcement, CISD also released its school calendar for the 2025-2026 academic year. According to information on the calendar, the year will consist of 155 days across six six-week periods. There will be 187 contract days. For more information regarding CISD's transition to a four-day school week, read the district's statement or visit CISD's four-day week webpage. 'Your feedback and collaboration are invaluable as we embark on this new journey,' CISD said. 'Together, we believe this change will significantly enhance the educational experience for all involved.' Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
11-03-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
San Angelo ISD to adopt Bluebonnet Learning curriculum
SAN ANGELO, Texas (Concho Valley Homepage) — San Angelo ISD students are expected to be introduced to a new curriculum in the fall of 2025. After a two-hour-long discussion at a school board meeting on March 10, SAISD board members approved Bluebonnet Learning. Board members approved the reading and language arts program for kindergarten through fifth grade in a 4-3 vote. The board also approved the math program for kindergarten through eighth grade in a 6-1 vote. SAISD approves $397M bond proposal During the discussion, board members heard from 15 citizens who expressed their feelings about the state of Texas' new Bluebonnet Learning. One resident shared that the curriculum includes instruction in biblical stories. Is it alleged that the stories have been 'selected and edited in such a way to draw conclusions from one point of view in a way to biblical scholars would not agree with' she shared. 'I am a Christian myself but I really don't want Christianity to be taught in the schools,' she said. 'I especially don't want this version of Christianity, Christian Nationalism, taught as excepted fact any more than I would want the teachings of Roman Catholicism or Sharia Law presented as fact.' SAISD administrators see the state-approved program as the best solution to current lessons that do not meet state testing requirements. 'This fall we will be using this curriculum to teach our students but again, I want to reemphasize our teachers are the magic bullet and we can use a curriculum from A to Z but if we don't have great teachers in the classroom, our kids are not going to learn,' said SAISD Superintendent Dr. Christopher Moran. 'We are thrilled that are giving our teachers resources, training and support so they can do their jobs.' 'Not sustainable': SAISD superintendent suggests closing three elementary schools According to the Texas Education Agency, Bluebonnet Learning is an Open Education Resource that provides 'high-quality instructional materials'. These materials are textbooks that are owned by the state. This allows the state to modify the textbooks over time to improve them for students and teachers. Learning materials are developed based on Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, or TEKS. While TEA shared that Bluebonnet Learning materials do not include religious instruction, however, the agency also stated that the state law requires the curriculum to include 'Religious literature, including Hebrew Scripture (Old Testament) and New Testament, and its impact on history and literature'. Board members will meet in the future to further discuss how the math and reading programs will be implemented, though it is expected to begin in fall 2025. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
04-03-2025
- General
- Yahoo
East Texas school district approves new controversial state learning materials
NACOGDOCHES, Texas (KETK) – Nacogdoches ISD has approved new state-created teaching materials for their elementary schools. The lessons were approved last fall by the state board of education and have been criticized for focusing too much on the Bible. TOWNHALL TENSION: State reps booed off stage during education meeting 'It's the way best for us to move forward,' Nacogdoches ISD Chief Marketing and Communications Officer Les Linebarger said. Starting next fall, Nacogdoches ISD elementary schools will use the state's new Bluebonnet Learning instructional material. The Texas Education Agency said the lessons were developed using the best evidence on how to teach reading and math. Critics have said it's a state-written curriculum that overemphasizes Christianity and could isolate some children. 'I use the phrase all-encompassing,' Linebarger said. 'I mean, these materials cover the whole run of what takes place in the classroom and it really frees the teacher up then to work on how best to deliver that information to our students.' The lessons were created by the state and are now available online for educators to use. 'It'll free up our teachers to worry about what's most important in the classroom, how best to pass along these lessons to the students,' Linebarger said. School districts don't have to use it, but they will receive $60 per student if they do. Lufkin ISD did not put it up for vote, but discussed adopting the materials and possible benefits for teachers. East Texas Rep says school choice will pass in State House 'It provides them with every piece of material they would need to teach their lesson so they would not have to pull from this resource or this resource or create on their own time,' Assistant Superintendent of Education Services and Accountability for Lufkin ISD Shelly Slaton said. The district decided to not move forward with the vote on Bluebonnet Learning after hearing community feedback and concerns. 'There are some lessons that include stories from the bible, but also from the other world religions as well,' Linebarger said. Nacogdoches will implement these learning materials starting this fall for math and language arts. 'We feel like there's a lot of positives in this, these instructional materials,' Linebarger said. Governor Greg Abbott called Bluebonnet Learning a 'critical step forward.' The TEA said there is no religious instruction in the lessons. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CBS News
05-02-2025
- Politics
- CBS News
Legal rights groups call on Texas superintendents to reject Bluebonnet curriculum
FORT WORTH – Multiple legal groups are calling on Texas superintendents to reject the newly approved K-5 Bluebonnet curriculum for students. As part of the curriculum, Texas public schools could use teachings from the Bible in lessons as an option for students from kindergarten through fifth grade. While it would be optional for schools to adopt the curriculum, participating institutions would receive additional funding for participating. The call to reject the curriculum follows a months-long review process by the Texas Education Agency, beginning in May 2024; the curriculum was scrutinized for a perceived elevation of certain forms of Christianity over other religious practices before it was formally approved in November 2024. The motion to approve followed Republican-led efforts in other states to incorporate more religious teachings into classrooms and the board heard from more than 150 people about the new proposed curriculum during several hours of testimony before the final vote. But, the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Texas was recently joined by Americans United for Separation of Church and State, Center for Inquiry, and the Freedom from Religion Foundation in a letter warning superintendents and school boards that implementing the optional curriculum risks imposing state-sponsored religious beliefs on Texas students, in violation of their First Amendment rights. "Schools can teach the Bible or about religions in school if it from a historical, objective perspective," said Chloe Kempf, staff attorney at the ACLU of Texas. "The problem with the Bluebonnet curriculum is that it presents many aspects of Christianity as true literal historical record and does not do so for any other religions and that's where it crosses the line into unconstitutionality," she added. "School districts should steer clear of this deeply flawed, Bible-infused curriculum," added Daniel Mach, director of the ACLU Program on Freedom of Religion and Belief. "Public schools are not Sunday schools, and Texas students and their families deserve better." In an email to CBS News Texas, a spokesperson for the TEA asserted that a large number of the concerns raised about Bluebonnet Learning have come from individuals or groups that have not actually read the product: "Public schools may not provide religious instruction and there is no religious instruction in Bluebonnet Learning. Instead, Bluebonnet Learning is comprised of instructional materials that have a broad base of topics including history, literature, the arts and culture which, when contextually relevant, can include religious topics sampling from a wide range of faiths. The materials include content from or about varied religious source materials for the literary and historical value of the content and its connection to creating a strong background of knowledge for students." Following the passage of the reading and math instructional materials, Texas Gov. Greg Abbott said Bluebonnet learning represented a 'back to basics' approach to learning that would steer the state towards the best education in America. "These transformative education materials are voluntary and free for schools and teachers to use," he said in a statement. "With parents able to access these materials online, we will ensure young Texans have access to high quality, grade-level appropriate curricula that will provide the necessary fundamentals in math, reading, science, and other core subjects and boost student outcomes across Texas." Kempf said the Bluebonnet curriculum focuses on one specific view of Christianity and presents it as an objective truth, potentially excluding students who embrace other faith traditions, or no religion at all, and the result is an environment that is distracting to academic learning or harmful to the students' mental health. Rather, Kempf asserts that public schools are diverse and all students should be welcome. "We have students of all genders, religions, races [and] economic backgrounds and it's our goal at ACLU of Texas that all students can feel free to show up in the classroom as their authentic selves and not made to feel shamed because of who they are," she said. Schools will be able to opt into the curriculum starting in the 2025-2026 school year.
