El Paso ISD seeks to approve innovations in education
district board is poised to usher in a new era of education. for months — teachers, administrators and community leaders have been working on how to overcome challenges in learning and education — and become a “district of innovation:” 1.58 sometimes a rule that works well for most districts doesn’t work well for all. and the innovation allows sd to really think locally 2.08 utep education professor dr. dave dematthews explains what the district of innovation is. he was one of nearly 2- dozen people with an interest in our local education system — making up the e-p-i- s-d district of innovation committee. the teacher reps, administrators, parents and community leaders spent weeks identifying which state laws actually keep e-p-i-s-d from helping kids — and coming up with plans that should help students. some of the recommendations include: relaxing some requirements regarding documentation of students who are not in class 90- percent of the time — shifting the start of the calendar year and the school day — and expanding pre- kinder and dual language programs. i went to andress high school — where students there are already trying out innovative education methods. this story is new this morning — and only on abc- seven: nats: singing karaoke — usually a weekend activity at a bar. nats: singing but this country crooner is belting out a tune — during school — for his classmates. 7.01 that focus is always on how do we do things better, how can we meet more kids’ needs and how creative can we be? 7.07 that question inspired the start of andress high school’s “club day.” students nominated club themes — teachers chose which ones they wanted to sponsor — and students joined their preferred club. clubs meet once a month. nats: 1.49 employers and our society need kids that are caring, that are responsible, they work well with others, problem solvers, critical thinkers, and all of those kinds of things have to happen within a school but not necessarily always within an academic classroom. 2.02 principal lynn gill was part of the district of innovation committee — she says club day is one way to make education innovative. 10.50-11.04 this is zumba club here at andress high school, one of 40 clubs at the school. if the district of innovation is approved, things like club day would be part of social/emotional learning and included in the school day. 1.33 social and emotional learning, finding ways for students to be better citizens when they grow up and interact in our society. 1.41 nats: students sing the praises of innovation. 1.13 i don’t want to be restricted by policies, i want them there to help me implement things that are good for kids so more of our kids can be successful.” there is one more week for you to check out the innovation plan and give your feedback. the plan is on the episd website — we’ve linked it to our website, kvia.com. the board is set to discuss and take action on the plan on april 19.
