La Porte ISD highlights new data tools, PLC-driven instruction and MAP gains; district chosen for two STEM programs

La Porte Independent School District trustees received an academic update that described districtwide efforts to standardize instruction, expand teacher collaboration and put data in students’ hands to drive growth.

Superintendent Greg Jackson opened the administrative report by noting recent student and faculty recognitions and framed the academic presentation. "These achievements highlight their dedication and college level success," Jackson said while reporting AP and College Board honors earned by students this year.

The instructional team, led by Executive Director of Teaching and Learning Angie Viator and Executive Director of School Leadership Joe Chandler, told the board the district’s priorities are a positive culture of high expectations, consistent tier 1 instruction and data-driven continuous improvement. Chandler described a shift from administrator-driven observations to teacher-run PLCs and peer coaching: teachers are using "at-bats" (practice labs) and shared lesson modeling so colleagues can provide direct feedback before lessons are taught to students.

Dr. Amanda Smith and Coordinator of Data Analytics Justin Bedford demonstrated district data tools housed in a principals’ portal and a teacher learning tracker. Bedford said the portal brings curriculum-based assessments (CBAs), NWEA MAP results and STAR-based growth projections together so principals and teachers can run short-cycle data meetings. "When students track their own learning, they become more engaged, reflective, and motivated to grow," Bedford said, describing new student-facing trackers and goal-setting folders.

Principals from multiple campuses described how teacher PLCs and the data systems work in practice. Jason McConnell, principal at La Porte Junior High, said teachers "are running the meetings" and taking ownership of student data. Linda Hyde of Heritage Elementary described adding a student-class tracker and goal folders to identify students who were "right on the cusp" of success and intervene earlier. Tracy Greenwood at Baker described using fresh assessment data to alternate data PLCs and intervention PLCs, and called in-class "at-bats" a "game changer" for teacher development.

The academics team presented preliminary MAP comparisons to last year. Among the highlights reported to trustees: current fifth graders showed a 3 percentage-point increase at the "meets" level in reading compared with last year; current third graders were 3 percentage points higher at meets in math; several elementary grades showed 3-point gains in math at approaches/meets; and a handful of secondary grade-level comparisons showed increases in approaches or meets-level performance. The presentation attributed growth to the recently implemented instructional and data-monitoring systems; the team stressed these were early, assessment-specific snapshots rather than final STAAR outcomes.

The update closed with two STEM announcements. Bayshore Elementary was named one of about 30 Texas campuses to receive the Texas mobile STEM lab in March 2026. Baker sixth-grade campus was selected to participate in NASA’s Growing Beyond Earth program, a hands-on plant growth project developed with the Kennedy Space Center. Jackson thanked the board for prior support of districtwide STEM implementation that made the opportunities possible.

The board asked questions about the state-level STAR assessment changes and how future test-plan changes might affect district projections; staff said TEA has not finalized the new STAR rollout and the district will update the board once the agency provides details.

Trustees did not take action on instructional items; the report was received for information.