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Despite a bleak school year, the FBISD Skyward continues to make strides in its efforts to provide a better future and improved progress for students. As a part of its mission, the school district has recently launched Skyward, a web-based student information system that aims to eliminate the communication gap that occurs between teachers and parents due to the language barrier. In addition, restorative disciplinary practices have been implemented that limit punitive responses.
Aims for better future and progress of the student
Throughout the past two years, the FBISD Board of Trustees has been engaged in an aggressive effort to develop a plan for the district’s future. The resulting plan was unveiled in April 2014. In addition to the plan’s goals and objectives, the board unanimously adopted the district’s District-wide Feeder Pattern Plan.
In order to achieve its goals, the FBISD is working on developing partnerships with key stakeholders. These partnerships are designed to create a positive impact on the community. These partnerships support the academic and social needs of students and families. In addition, they help to develop effective teachers and leaders.
Restorative disciplinary practices limit punitive responses
Across Texas, school districts are using restorative disciplinary practices to limit punitive responses and foster meaningful accountability. These methods include teachers talking to students about their behavior, facilitating discussions, and setting goals and consequences.
In the FBISD, restorative disciplinary practices have been in use for five years. In the fall of 2016, 1,400 administrators received training. The district is planning to train all campuses. The second part of the training included a five-day coordinator training. In the next year, the district will set aside $2 million to hire instructional coaches.
The Texas Education Agency partnered with the Institute for Restorative Justice to teach ten education service centers about restorative practices. The practice is based on the concept that a student’s behaviors are most likely to improve if they are handled in a more positive manner.
Schools received an A, 39 received a B, and nine received a C
Despite the COVID-19 pandemic that had been affecting Fort Bend County, the schools in the Fort Bend Independent School District improved their grades in Texas Education Agency ratings. According to the TEA, the district earned a B rating for the school year, despite learning loss that was associated with the coronavirus. The district also received an A rating for the Closing the Gaps domain, which measures the relative performance of economically disadvantaged students.
The district’s high marks for Closing the Gaps were based on academic growth, graduation rate, and closing achievement gaps. The district also had high marks for the percentage of economically disadvantaged students in the district.
Skyward aims to address the communication gap by the language barrier
Founded in Stevens Point, Wisconsin in 1980, Skyward is a ubiquitous name in the educational arena. The company is used by more than 1700 school districts around the globe. It is a real-time database of student, staff and parent information. The product is also a conduit for teachers to communicate with parents. In an age of standardized testing, Skyward can serve as a game changer.
The most impressive thing about it is that it can be accessed from the comforts of home. It is a robust wireless infrastructure that can be reached within the proximity of each campus. In addition, five buses are fitted with Wi-Fi.
Diversity of teacher population can help reduce racial inequities in discipline
During a recent Fort Bend Independent School District (FBISD) Board of Education meeting, the district’s directors of student affairs and leadership discussed the district’s efforts to eliminate racial disparities in discipline data. During the previous six years, the district has taken several steps to address this issue. These include developing an intervention plan, hiring instructional coaches, and setting aside funds for targeted programs to help students who are at risk of exclusion.
The discipline gap between black and white students is an ongoing national issue. Studies have shown that black students are disproportionately disciplined and expelled in the United States. Experts say the disparities are rooted in implicit racial bias and structural racism.
School calendar
Luckily for us Fort Bend ISD has just rolled out its latest instructional plan, which means time to spend time with your children. Aside from being a great way to unwind after a long day at the office, there’s something about being around your kids that can’t help but enhance your quality of life. The new schedule offers plenty of free lunches and after school activities to boot, and the chance to get to know your teachers better. It’s all the more impressive with the news that the Fort Bend High School has a new levy that will increase enrollment by 10 percent to more than 1400 students by the end of the school year.