Latest news with #MISD
Yahoo
24-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
MISD releases TEA ratings
Apr. 23—After two years of legal proceedings, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) is now allowed to release official ratings for the 2022-2023 school year. The 2023 Accountability Ratings are now official and eligible for release. In August of 2024, Midland ISD was one of four districts at the time to release its projected 2023 and 2024 ratings in an effort to be transparent with the community. The 2024 projected A-F ratings were verified by TEA. With the official release of the 2023 ratings set to be made available to the public April 24, the district is pleased to report that no school action plans are required at this time. As part of the release of 2023 ratings, TEA also plans to share "what if" ratings for 2022 which were presented to the public at a June 2023 special board meeting. In 2023, state testing and the accountability system underwent drastic changes that introduced significantly higher performance standards, leading to broad expectations that many districts across Texas may see a drop in their overall scores. Ratings are determined using several key indicators, including STAAR results, graduation rates, and College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR). The "what if" ratings offer an estimate of how schools and districts would have performed under the revised accountability framework implemented in 2023 if 2022 accountability metrics would have been in place, a news release said. Despite the delay and changes to the assessment and accountability system, MISD continues to make strides, the release said. When students took the 2023 STAAR assessment, Stephanie Howard had been serving as superintendent for just three months. Although the 2023 ratings were withheld due to the pending litigation, MISD immediately leveraged available data to realign priorities, launch targeted improvement efforts, and implemented a strategic plan based on the needs in the district. MISD, and the majority of other districts across the state, saw a decline in ratings from 2022. Based on its internal projections that have been verified by TEA, and a result of the early school improvement actions, 2024 projected ratings are showing 66% of campuses improved or maintained their overall rating. Fifteen campuses are projected to be A/B rated campuses — up from seven in 2023. Sixteen campuses improved at least one letter grade, and five campuses improved by two or more letter grades. Accountability ratings offer a roadmap for continuous improvement, helping us stay focused on what matters most—student success," Stephanie said in the release. "We remain committed to our North Star Goal of ensuring that 70% of MISD students attend an A or B-rated school by 2028. We are proud of the progress we have made and even more determined to keep moving forward."
Yahoo
12-04-2025
- General
- Yahoo
From classroom to cockpit: MISD Cadets take off on military flight
MIDLAND, Texas (KMID/KPEJ)- A group of Midland ISD Air Force Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (AFJROTC) cadets got a hands-on lesson in military aviation this week, and it all started with a walk across the flight line. During a visit to Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, cadets boarded a Lockheed C-130J Super Hercules aircraft, bringing their classroom lessons on aerospace science and military operations to life. Video from the trip shows cadets walking in formation toward the plane before taking flight, an experience their instructors say is key to preparing them for future success. You may watch that video in the player above. 'This visit to Dyess AFB reinforced everything our cadets have been learning in the classroom,' said Chief Master Sergeant Jeff Deynzer, MISD AFJROTC instructor. 'It is experiences like these that truly inspire our cadets and enforces them to be military ready upon graduation.' AFJROTC is a U.S. Air Force-sponsored program offered to MISD students in grades 9 through 12. The program blends academic instruction with leadership training, personal development, and a student-led organizational structure that mirrors real-world military principles. Cadets in the program can also apply for several scholarship opportunities, including the J-100 Character-in-Leadership Scholarship, the Flight Academy Scholarship for earning a private pilot's license, and the Cyber Academy Scholarship, which provides college-level credits in cyber education. MISD officials said programs like AFJROTC align with the district's goal of ensuring every student graduates from college, career, or military ready. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
05-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MISD issues budget statement
Apr. 4—Midland ISD would like to offer the following statement related to the budget efficiencies it has been anticipating since 2019. As a result of no increase to the basic allotment since 2019, record inflation, and the expiration of the Formula Transition Grant and ESSER funding, Midland ISD continues to refine its budget and look for cost-saving strategies and efficiencies to reduce its deficit. The district has been preparing for these changes since 2019. Now in its second round of efficiencies this week, the district will collapse twenty-eight positions for the upcoming fiscal year, all of which are central office-based. The district's goal is to keep these efficiencies as far removed from students and direct instruction as possible. MISD believes in transparent communication and wants to ensure employees have sufficient notice of these changes. These employees will continue to be employed by MISD and receive benefits through their current year contract obligations and are encouraged to apply for open positions available in the district for which they are qualified. In addition, vacant positions that have remained unfilled will also be collapsed. All essential work will be redistributed among the remaining department positions to ensure continuity of operations. Finally, a long-term implementation strategy is to adjust work calendars to better align position assignments and needs of the district. This adjustment will not impact current employees at this time. Thoughtful and systematic decisions were made in determining which positions to absorb for the upcoming fiscal year and included an evaluation of roles and responsibilities that could be combined and positions affiliated with programming that is changing. Additionally, on an annual basis, in preparation for the upcoming fiscal year, districts review course selections, projected enrollment, boundary changes, and programming to determine staffing needs throughout the district. In its first round of efficiencies, which took place in January, combined with this week's round two decisions, when factoring in personnel and non-payroll related savings, the district stands at approximately a $17 million deficit. The district will continue to refine its budget to ensure it is as efficient and effective as possible while maintaining strong academics and continuing to offer co/extra curricular programming at high levels for its students.
Yahoo
04-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
MISD celebrates Principal Fellow graduates
Apr. 3—MIDLAND — Three Midland ISD educators are preparing to take the next step in their career as they complete master's degrees through Texas Tech's Principal Fellows program. This year's class of fellows include Liliana Iza, Erica Lujan, and Lauren Vargas. The Principal Fellowship is a partnership between MISD and Texas Tech designed to increase the pipeline of qualified candidates into campus administration. The initiative gives teachers the opportunity to become certified campus principals by covering the costs of tuition, certification fees, and books. Throughout the year, fellows gain direct mentorship from experienced principals while maintaining limited classroom responsibilities, ensuring a seamless transition into leadership roles. "It's been eye opening, you don't realize how many things are going on throughout an entire campus," said Iza, who completed her fellowship at Legacy Freshman High School. "Now as a principal fellow, I am able to effectively recognize and address the needs of both students and staff." Lujan emphasized the collaboration involved in school leadership. "It's rewarding in the sense that you gain a lot of experience and you grow in ways that you didn't think you'd be able to grow," she said. "You grow as a leader, you grow as a person, and you grow as a coach." For Vargas, the transition from focusing on her classroom to the entire school was a rewarding challenge. She encourages others to take advantage of the opportunity. "Texas Tech has set this program up to support you, and be there for you," she said. "It gives you a great opportunity to further your career in education."
Yahoo
21-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Made in MISD: Recent grad returns as registered apprentice
Mar. 20—MIDLAND — Midland ISD's innovative teacher pipeline is already making an impact, and 2024 Coleman High School graduate Natalie Bracamontes '24 is a prime example of its success. Bracamontes, now a freshman at the University of Texas Permian Basin (UTPB), is one of 33 registered apprentices across the district, gaining hands-on experience in the classroom while working toward her goal of becoming an elementary teacher. Bracamontes always knew she wanted to be a teacher. During high school, she participated in dual credit Education and Training courses through MISD's Career and Technical Education (CTE) program, which provided her with a strong foundation in lesson planning and classroom instruction. She is now a registered apprentice at Midland ISD and a full-time Reach Associate at South Elementary. As a Reach Associate, Bracamontes supports teachers by assisting in the classroom, leading small groups, and even teaching lessons on her own. She gains firsthand experience crafting lesson plans and observing how educators interact with students. She is also part of the Opportunity Culture program and participates in monthly Teach Like a Champion training, which equips her with valuable instructional strategies. "Being in the classroom and working with students every day is an incredible learning experience," said Bracamontes. "I love seeing how students view the world and how they learn. This program is helping me build my skills and confidence as a future teacher." MISD's registered apprenticeship program, which was approved by the U.S. Department of Labor, provides aspiring educators like Bracamontes with real-world teaching experience while they pursue their degrees. The program is designed to create a seamless transition from college student to certified teacher, ensuring that apprentices receive guidance, mentorship, and financial support throughout their journey. The district's long-term vision is to develop a strong local pipeline of highly qualified educators who will stay and grow within the Midland ISD community. Bracamontes is already looking ahead to her future and will join MISD as a certified educator after completing her degree and certification. "We are committed to growing our own educators here in Midland," said Chelsea Reyes, Director of Talent Development. "Natalie is a great example of how this program is helping to develop the next generation of teachers who will make a lasting impact on our students and schools." With more students like Bracamontes joining the program, MISD is laying the foundation for a stronger, more sustainable future for education in the community.
