Royal Restructure MeetingApril 9, 2014

Ground Rules

• To better facilitate the discussion, please limit comments and/or questions to the topic of the restructure

• If you have individual concerns about staff, administration, student behavior, etc., please take talk with me after the presentation

Vision of the District

Royal ISD recognizes that each child is an individual and that all children need to succeed. Therefore, Royal ISD seeks to develop a learning environment that creates success through instructional programs which meet the needs of all students.

Comprehensive Approach to Achieving the District’s Vision

Vision

Human Resources

Professional Development

Financial Resources

Focused Curriculum & Assessment

Programmatic Development

Comprehensive Approach to Achieving the District’s Vision

Human Resources

Recruit the best possible candidates to fill each position within the District

Efficient staffing of campuses

Competitive wages

Focused Professional Development

On-going & Process Oriented

Teacher & Student Data Driven

Develop teachers’ abilities to increase student learning in areas of weakness

Focused Curriculum & Assessment

Constant evaluation of student learning

Implementing a true Response-to-Intervention (RTI) program

Adding additional resources to supplement instruction

Financial Resources

Efficient use of district resources

Seeking sources for additional revenue

Development of community/business partnerships

Comprehensive Approach to Achieving the District’s Vision

Programmatic Development

Develop programs which meet the academic & social needs of the students

Prepare students to meet the challenges of the 21st Century

Prepare students to be productive citizens & lifelong learners

Comprehensive Approach to Achieving the District’s Vision

It is this vision that drove the development of the restructuring of our RISD

Restructure: A 3-pronged approach to meeting our needs

Designed to meet the needs of students who are below grade-level

Students assigned to FFP based on academic criteria

FFP period will be integrated throughout the school day

Instruction to be based on Personal Education Plan (PEP) for each student

Intended to fill “gaps” in learning

Housed at the home campus of each student

Students in the FFP will be able to participate in co- and extra-curricular activities

Program designed for students not assigned to the Falcon Flyer Program and that do not attend the STEM program. This is our traditional academic program.

Students in the Advanced Academic Program will be eligible for all of the courses and electives offered at their home campus Dual Credit/Advanced Placement courses

Housed at the students’ home campus

Students will be able to participate in co- and extra-curricular activities

Advanced Academic Program

Geared toward high achieving students in grades 3 – 8 with an emphasis on Math & Engineering

Bilingual classes available through grade 6

Students must apply to attend the STEM Academy based on established academic criteriaAcceptance to STEM Academy is limited based on space available

Project Based Learning (PBL) approach to instruction

Due to its focus on Math & Engineering, there will be a limited number of electives available to students

Housed at the former Middle School building

Beginning in 2015-2016, enrollment will be opened up to 9th graders as an Early College High School (ECHS). Grade levels will expand through subsequent years.

Students enrolled in ECHS will have the opportunity to graduate with an Associate’s Degree

Students at the STEM Academy will be able to participate in co- and extra-curricular activities

Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ – Will my child be required to participate in the Falcon Flyer Program?

Yes. Students who are identified as being below grade level will be mandated into the program.

FAQ – If my child is in the Falcon Flyer Program, when will he/she be eligible to get out of the program?

Participation in the Falcon Flyer Program will be based on the performance of the student. Students in grades 3-12 will be expected to pass the grade level state assessment (STAAR Test) in order to be removed from the program. It is yet to be determined whether students will be eligible for exit during the year.

FAQ – Is the STEM Academy limited to gifted and talented students?

No. The STEM Academy is designed for students who excel in the areas of math and science. There is nothing in the criteria that limits applicants to gifted and talented students only. All students are eligible to apply for the STEM Academy regardless of their status as a GT student.

FAQ – Is the STEM Academy going to be more rigorous than the traditional classroom?

Yes. By design, a STEM school has the intent of provided more depth and rigor than do traditional schools. Students attending the STEM have an expectation to participate in a variety of competitive academic activities. In addition, the Royal STEM Academy is designed to prepare students for the rigor of attending the Early College High School. Therefore, there is going to be greater academic rigor in STEM classes.

Students will be engaged through a hands-on, problem-based, project-based focus. These real-world applications will make learning relevant to student's lives. The curricular program for the academy will help prepare students to graduate on the Distinguished Achievement Plan, and specialty electives will be created to prepare students for the challenges of the 21 st century.

FAQ – With the introduction of the STEM Academy, will the district be divided between the “haves” and “have nots”?

No. It is the goal of the district to have a diverse student body at the STEM Academy which is reflective as the student demographics as a whole.

FAQ – What is the cost associated with these programs?

There is an anticipated cost of $350K - $400K to implement the STEM Academy. Those costs include:

There is also an anticipated cost to the Falcon Flyer Program of approximately $1 million

• Personnel • Utilities

• Curriculum costs • Infrastructure Needs

• Facilities Upgrades • Supplies & Materials

• Professional Development

• Personnel • Professional Development

• Salary Increases

FAQ – Will my taxes increase as a result of the introduction of the Falcon Flyer Program/STEM Academy?

No. By law, the school district cannot increase its Maintenance and Operations (M&O) tax rate beyond the current rate set by the District. Any increase in the M&O rate requires voter approval through a Tax Ratification Election (TRE). The District will not hold a TRE to fund these programs.

The District’s Interest and Sinking (I&S) tax rate is established through the issuance of bonds. By law, I&S taxes cannot be used to finance costs such as payroll, utilities, or other general operating costs.

FAQ – How will the STEM Academy/Falcon Flyer Program be financed?

The District anticipates that funds will be available to finance both the STEM Academy and FFP through its current budget. Recent growth in the property value of the district lead to more funds generated by the District. In addition, the District will seek other sources of funds (i.e. Medicare reimbursement) that will help generate additional revenue. Finally, the District has initiated energy and personnel changes that will lead to costs savings.

Moving forward, the district anticipates the use of increased foundation payments from the Texas Education Agency, grants, and corporate sponsorships as a way to sustain the STEM Academy.

FAQ – Is there a fee to attend the STEM Academy?

No. There is no fee for attending the STEM.

FAQ – How will my student be admitted to the STEM Academy?

Students must fill out an application to attend the STEM Academy. A student’s academic data is then scored via a rubric to determine eligibility. Students scoring high enough will be considered Automatic Qualifying Students and receive admission to the STEM Academy. All other eligible students will be placed in a lottery and drawn until the grade level/class reaches capacity. Students not selected to attend the STEM Academy via the lottery will be placed on a waiting list.

FAQ – Once admitted, will my child always attend the STEM Academy?

No. Student progress will be reviewed after the first 3 weeks to school to determine if a student is performing up to the rigor of the STEM Academy. Students not performing up to standard will be placed on their home campus.

Also, students must apply annually to attend the STEM. A student must maintain academic standards throughout the year to continue to attend the STEM Academy.

FAQ – My older son/daughter attends the STEM Academy, will my younger son/daughter be automatically admitted?

No. Student applications will be reviewed/scored based individually. No weight will be given for other siblings who attend the STEM.

FAQ – What if the District cannot afford both the STEM Academy and the Falcon Flyer Program?

It is the belief of the District that our greatest need is for a program to reach students who are below grade level. Therefore, if both programs cannot be funded, priority will be given to the Falcon Flyer Program.

Comments & Concerns