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Midland ISD's School Improvement Efforts

Midland ISD's School Improvement Efforts

Midland ISD's School Improvement Efforts

MISD's Commitment to Sustainable Change

January 17, 2025 — Midland Independent School District (MISD) is taking steps to transform student outcomes through a series of strategic initiatives aimed at fostering instructional excellence, building leadership capacity, and creating a culture of continuous improvement. From partnerships with nationally recognized programs to innovative staffing models, Midland ISD is committed to ensuring all students have access to high-quality education.

 

Teach Like A Champion: Framework for Excellence

 

Through the partnership with Teach Like A Champion (TLAC), a districtwide framework for high-leverage teaching techniques, coaching cycles, and structured professional development has been implemented. TLAC’s Teacher Development Cycle—focusing on training, lesson preparation, classroom observation, and student work analysis—has empowered educators to close instructional gaps, increase rigor, and improve classroom management practices.

 

"TLAC's strategies ensure that instructional priorities are aligned with the needs of every learner," said Erin Bueno, Chief Academic Officer. "This collaboration directly supports our school improvement efforts by bringing consistency and intentionality to teaching and learning."

 

Elevating Teaching and Learning: Content Coordinators Lead the Way

 

To provide targeted professional support, the district restructured the Teaching and Learning Department for the 2024-25 school year. The newly established team of Content Coordinators has developed instructional frameworks, TEKS-aligned assessments, and professional learning plans, addressing a critical need for aligned curriculum and support.

 

With the addition of Content Coordinators, teachers were able to experience increased support at the start of the school year that had not been experienced in recent years. The creation of a team of Content Coordinators makes it possible to work collaboratively across multiple departments.

 

"An integrated approach to developing professional learning and establishing instructional expectations is the standard for how the district operates," Bueno continued.

 

Leadership Development: Strengthening Principals and Future Leaders

 

Principal supervisors play a pivotal role in balancing instructional and operational priorities. Their guidance has helped campus leaders achieve notable progress, including doubling progress toward MISD’s North Star goal and increasing the percentage of students attending A/B-rated campuses from 14% to 31% in one year.

 

To further support leadership pipelines, MISD has partnered with the Holdsworth Center, made possible by the Permian Strategic Partnership, to develop aspiring principals through targeted professional learning and mentorship.

 

Instructional Rounds: Data-Driven Improvement

 

In September, MISD launched instructional rounds to systematically observe and improve teaching practices. These collaborative classroom visits have enabled district leaders to identify trends, provide actionable feedback, and design targeted professional development.

 

"Our instructional rounds initiative is a cornerstone of our efforts to address instructional challenges and drive sustainable change," said Bueno.

 

Opportunity Culture & Teacher Incentive Allotment: Extending Teacher Excellence

 

With support from the Scharbauer Foundation, MISD's Opportunity Culture (OC) initiative has redefined strategic staffing. By enabling excellent teachers to extend their reach, paying them more, and fostering collaborative planning, the district has improved student outcomes while elevating teacher satisfaction.

 

During the 2023-24 school year, 51 MISD teachers earned over $100,000 through the Teacher Incentive Allotment and OC initiatives, with 37 serving in OC roles. This initiative has led to significant student growth at South Elementary, Scharbauer Elementary, and Rusk Elementary campuses.

 

A Commitment to Sustainable Change

 

Midland ISD’s dedication to transforming education is rooted in a shared vision of Educating the Future with Excellence. By embracing innovative strategies and fostering collaborative partnerships, the district is not only empowering students to achieve their full potential but also shaping the future of the Midland community and workforce. This work would not be possible without the help of all our community partners.

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Media Contact:

Jasmine Huerta

Communications Specialist

432-240-1046 | jasmine.huerta@midlandisd.net

All students will graduate college, career, or military ready.

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