Latest news with #MISD
Associated Press
02-07-2025
- Science
- Associated Press
Texas' McKinney Independent School District Selects Adaptive and Engaging Edtech Solution To Support Math Instruction in Grades K-5
CHARLOTTE, N.C., July 2, 2025 /3BL/ - Texas' McKinney Independent School District (MISD) today announced that it has selected DreamBox Math by Discovery Education, an adaptive and engaging edtech solution, to support math instruction in grades K-5. An innovative online math program that supports core instruction in the classroom or at home, DreamBox Math is independently proven by several third-party research organizations to increase math achievement. Discovery Education is the creator of essential PreK-12 learning solutions used in classrooms around the world. MISD is located in Collin County, Texas, and primarily serves students in the city of McKinney and in parts of New Hope, Allen, Fairview, Princeton, and Lowry Crossing. MISD currently enrolls more than 24,500 students in 20 elementary schools, five middle schools, three high schools, two alternative campuses, and one early childhood education center. MISD has a long-standing reputation for educational excellence, and the district is continually recognized at both the state and national levels. To continue MISD's tradition of academic excellence and to meet the goal of ensuring all students' access to a curriculum that addresses the needs of all learners and promotes student achievement and growth, district leaders sought an interactive, adaptive math resource. Following a careful review of potential solutions, MISD selected DreamBox Math by Discovery Education. Updated earlier this year with a host of improvements that empower teachers to create even more personalized learning experiences, DreamBox Math by Discovery Education adapts dynamically to the learner, providing tailored instruction within a highly engaging, gamified learning environment. DreamBox Math lessons are available in both English and Spanish and align to math standards in Texas. Along with actionable reporting and tools that empower differentiation for all learners, DreamBox Math offers teachers content-specific professional learning and provides administrators critical insights into student progress. With DreamBox Math, every student is empowered to independently engage in interactive problem solving so they can develop conceptual understanding, apply a variety of strategies, and gain competence and confidence in mathematical reasoning and skills. 'At MISD, we believe in the need for meaningful mathematical literacy. Math literacy empowers students to use math reasoning skills and habits of mind they develop to help support them in all areas of life,' said Sharon Sovereign, Elementary Math Coordinator. 'This literacy is based on two areas: procedural, or the mathematical procedures which promote efficiency and accuracy; and conceptual, which is a students' understanding of the ideas of how and why math works. DreamBox Math supports student understanding of both areas, and we are excited to see it integrated into classroom instruction.' DreamBox Math will be used alongside Discovery Education's Social Studies Techbook, and Experience solutions that are already integrated into instruction in MISD classrooms. MISD educators using DreamBox Math will receive dedicated professional development from Discovery Education's team of professional learning experts. These learning opportunities for teachers help schools recognize the full return on their edtech investment. Through Discovery Education's interactive professional development sessions, participants will learn best practices for integrating their new digital resources into instruction. Effective professional learning increases student engagement and supports the continued academic development of all students. In addition, all educators using Discovery Education's digital resources have access to the Discovery Educator Network. A global community of education professionals, the Discovery Educator Network connects members across school systems and around the world through social media, virtual conferences, and in-person events, fostering valuable idea sharing and inspiration. 'Discovery Education is proud to deepen its long-term relationship with McKinney ISD,' said Jamie Long, Discovery Education's Educational Partnerships Manager. 'McKinney ISD has long been at the forefront of efforts to enhance teaching and learning through the thoughtful application of innovative technologies, and Discovery Education is excited to be continue to support their efforts.' For more information about Discovery Education's award-winning digital resources and professional learning solutions, visit and stay connected with Discovery Education on social media through LinkedIn, Instagram, TikTok, and Facebook. ### About Discovery Education Discovery Education is the worldwide edtech leader whose state-of-the-art, PreK-12, digital solutions support learning wherever it takes place. Through award-winning multimedia content, instructional supports, innovative classroom tools, and strategic alliances, Discovery Education helps educators deliver powerful learning experiences that engage all students and support higher academic achievement on a global scale. Discovery Education serves approximately 4.5 million educators and 45 million students worldwide, and its resources are accessed in over 100 countries and territories. Through partnerships with districts, states, and trusted organizations, Discovery Education empowers teachers with essential edtech solutions that inspire curiosity, build confidence, and accelerate learning. Explore the future of education at ContactStephen WakefieldDiscovery EducationPhone: 202-316-6615 Email: [email protected] Visit 3BL Media to see more multimedia and stories from Discovery Education
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."
