High schools receive state funds to increase graduation rates and college readiness
Northside ISD received an infusion of $5.7 million from the state to help increase the number of students who graduate from high school and to better prepare them for college.
Northside administrators and principals spent weeks developing detailed plans for how each high school will use its portion of the funding, called the “high school allotment” because every district will receive $275 per high school student.
“I think Northside is doing an excellent job of preparing our students for college, but we can always do more,” Superintendent John Folks said. “We’re very excited about this funding.”
The high school allotment is part of House Bill 1, which also mandated that school districts lower the property tax rate and require students to earn four credits of math and science before graduating.
School districts across the state are directed to use the money to expand or begin programs geared toward these specific goals:
- increase the percentage of high school graduates,
- increase enrollment in advanced courses,
- increase the number of students graduating under the Recommended or Distinguished Achievement program, and
- increase the number of students scoring a 2200 on the English Language Arts and math sections of the Exit level TAKS tests.
Each Northside high school has an individualized plan. Many will use the money to expand SAT/ACT preparation courses, dual credit, credit retrieval and acceleration opportunities, AP preparation classes and TAKS Blitz programs. Schools also will be expanding AVID, a highly successful program that works to create a college-going culture among students.
“Each high school has looked at what it needs and worked with staff to develop its own plan,” said Dr. Sara McAndrew, Executive Director of Secondary Instruction. “We’re going to make a difference.”
Warren High School, for example, will use funding to hire a staff member to monitor an
expanded credit retrieval program to help students who are in danger of failing a course. Another staff member will identify at-risk students and provide support services.
“As the role of the administrators expand to other campus issues, including increased attention to school safety issues as well as district and state program requirements, the allotment will add a few key staff members to concentrate on the allotment’s important
initiatives,” Warren Principal Patty Hill said. “Another excellent component the initiative brings is an enhancement to the professional development for campus instructional leaders.”
All school districts are required to measure their success and will be evaluated by the state to make sure the money is being spent properly.
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