District Moves to Horizontal Alignment in 2015-2016

The organizational transformation will better serve both student and campus needs.

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[dropcap color=”#888″ type=”square”]P[/dropcap]arents will notice a change this year among some of the [icons icon_name=”icon-external-link” icon_size=”14px”]assistant superintendents that oversee campuses.

The “area” superintendents used to supervise each of the schools that fed into a high school pattern. Since the mid-1990s, the district grouped campuses into geographic clusters. The shift worked to better accommodate and serve the student population. According to Dr. Rosalinda Rodríguez, this worked for many years. She serves as assistant superintendent of Region 1 elementary schools.

“The old alignment model did create success,” said Rodríguez. “But the district is rapidly growing and state assessments and requirements keep increasing. We needed a new model to continue to best support campuses, teachers and students.“

AISD leaders studied the district’s data and looked at best practices from other districts. They also worked with campus leaders. Last spring, they identified and grouped campuses with common characteristics or like campuses. Geographic location was not a limiting factor in creating the new alignment. The assistant superintendents see the new model as a way to develop and work as a professional learning community to:

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Share best practices.[/li] [li]Learn from one another.[/li][/ul]

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Share strategies.[/li] [li] Grow instructional leadership.[/li][/ul]

[ul class=”list list-search”] [li]Generate new and creative ideas to increase student achievement.[/li][/ul]

Pat Leon-Wade is convinced the change will help campuses build teacher knowledge and skills. As a result, they will enhance and improve the quality of instruction. The assistant superintendent oversees the Region 2 elementary schools.

“The professional learning communities provide organizational supports and resources,” said Leon-Wade. “This new alignment helps campus leaders best meet both student and school needs.“

Assistant Superintendents and Campuses They Oversee

Dr. Rosalinda Rodríguez — Elementary Region 1

Black
Bussey
Carroll
Goodman
Gray
Mendel
Odom
Orange Grove
Raymond Academy
Thompson
Worsham
de Santiago EC/Pre-K Center
García-Leza EC/Pre-K Center
Hinojosa EC/Pre-K Center
Keeble EC/Pre-K Center

Pat Leon-Wade — Elementary Region 2

Lane
Calvert
Conley
Cypresswood
Dunn
Francis
Johnson
Jones Elementary School
Magrill
Oleson
Spence
Stephens
Jones EC/Pre-K Center

Dr. Janet Ray — Elementary Region 3

Anderson Academy
Bethune Academy
Carmichael
Carter Academy
Ermel
Harris Academy
Kujawa
Sammons
Smith Academy
Stovall Academy
Kujawa EC/Pre-K Center
Reece Academy
Vines EC/Pre-K Center

Ann Stockwell — Intermediate Schools

Caraway
Eckert
Escamilla
Hill
Houston Academy
Marcella
Parker
Rayford
Reed Academy
Stehlik
Wilson

Mable Holt — Middle Schools

Aldine
Drew Academy
Grantham Academy
Hambrick
Hoffman
Lewis
Plummer
Shotwell
Stovall Middle
Teague

Dr. Todd Davis — High School Region 1

Aldine HS
Carver HS
Eisenhower HS
MacArthur HS
Victory Early College HS
Aldine Ninth Grade School
Eisenhower Ninth Grade School
MacArthur Ninth Grade School

Ken Knippel — High School Region 2

Davis HS
Nimitz HS
Davis Ninth Grade
Nimitz Ninth Grade
COMPASS
Hall Center

The assistant superintendents agree the change will improve teaching and learning for students.

“Everyone from the district level to campus level is on the same page,” said Dr. Todd Davis, assistant superintendent of Region 1 high schools. “We are working toward the same end result. We are working to give students the best education possible.“