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Jumpstart leaders and parents press MISD for better screening, transparency and supports for struggling students
Summary
Jumpstart Midland leaders and parents told the board the district needs clearer communication with families, better access to testing for learning differences, and targeted supports for students not on grade level. Speakers cited survey results showing many families cannot access Skyward and called for more parent‑facing outreach.
Leaders of Jumpstart Midland and parents told the Midland Independent School District board on Sept. 16 that inconsistent communication, limited access to testing for learning differences and fragile academic gains are creating long‑term risks for students.
Ebony Coleman, a Jumpstart leader, said the group canvassed hundreds of parents this summer and found "encouraging but deeply concerning" results: while the number of D and F campuses fell from 12 to eight, more than 25% of students still attend D‑ or F‑rated schools and 54% of district students are not on grade level in reading, with 61% not on grade level in math. "Parents need clearer and more frequent communication to understand their child's true progress," Coleman said.
Heather Thomas described a personal example: after repeatedly raising concerns about her daughter’s reading, she obtained private testing that found dyslexia and ADHD. She said the district did not offer testing earlier and that she and other parents still struggle to secure consistent interventions. Thomas said Jumpstart will continue outreach to parents and district leaders to improve supports.
Heidi Johnson, a Jumpstart leadership team member and Legacy/Lee High graduate, said survey results showed only about one‑third of families can easily access the Skyward parent portal and called for Skyward training sessions. Several trustees noted the district was offering Skyward sessions and said campuses also provide hard copies of materials.
Superintendent Dr. Jennie Howard said the district has begun scheduling parent conferences and Skyward sessions and that campus staff will accommodate families whose preferred communication method is not digital. Howard said principals are expected to prioritize campus needs when allocating staff and acknowledged the district must do better at communicating the purpose of programs such as Opportunity Culture.
Trustees and district staff invited Jumpstart representatives to meet after the meeting to identify specific campuses and next steps for improving screening and outreach. No board action was taken at the meeting; trustees requested follow‑up on where families reported gaps in communication and testing access.
