19-06-2025
GISD to implement turnaround plans for two campuses
In the 2018-2019 school year, Greenville ISD's Crockett Elementary School and Travis Elementary School (now Travis Intermediate School) both received Fs as their accountability rating from the Texas Education Agency.
Then in the 2019-2022 through 2021-2022 school years, TEA didn't rate schools due to disruptions caused by COVID-19. However, when accountability ratings resumed in 2022-2023, Crockett and Travis both received Fs again.
Because of failing in two 'consecutive' state assessments, both campuses were required by TEA to develop and initiate turnaround plans.
At Monday's Greenville ISD Board of Trustees meeting, deputy superintendents Wes Underwood and Dr. Shazzma Crooks described what the turnaround plan entails.
Much of the plan involved increased curriculum training and mentorship for both campus administrators and teachers. Region 10 of TEA would also be coaching both Underwood and Crooks.
In terms of instructional materials, the plan is requiring Bluebonnet Math and STEMScopes, as well as implementation of the teaching methods outlined in Foundations in Teaching.
In an effort to improve teacher effectiveness, the plan includes:
– Mandatory two-hour refresher for teachers at the beginning of the school year;
– Regular walkthrough observations by administrators;
– Giving additional coaching support to new teachers, and;
– Increased use of student data in instruction.
In addition to these measures, Crooks also mentioned that curriculum coordinators would be hired to help mentor staff.
After the presentation, Trustee Tish Woodruff inquired about how many teachers were certified on those two campuses, to which Underwood replied that that number was difficult to give at that moment, as 'it is kind of in flux right now' due to the district still being in the middle of hiring season.
While TEA's requirement for Greenville ISD to implement a turnaround plan can be seen as punitive, Superintendent Joe Lopez emphasized that its main purpose is lasting improved education for the students.
'Right now, we're playing catch up … and we're gonna play catch up for the next three-five years because of what's already in motion, but that can't be our excuse.'
