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Laredo ISD staff present 'Plus 1' strategy to expand access in classrooms
Summary
District staff told trustees the low-cost 'Plus 1' instructional approach adds an extra way for students to access content and demonstrate learning, aligns with Universal Design for Learning, and can be implemented using existing classroom technology.
Monica Gaius, a district instructional staffer, presented the "Plus 1" theory of education at the Laredo ISD Business & Support Committee meeting on Nov. 6, saying the approach "is intended to make learning more accessible and inclusive to all our students." Gaius described the strategy as adding one more format or pathway for students to access material or demonstrate understanding, often at no additional cost to the district.
The presentation offered concrete examples. "For example, we're giving, a video. Let's add captions on the video. That may assist 1 more student or all our students to really help them understand," Gaius said. She also suggested alternatives to written essays, such as recorded responses, and adding a question-and-answer option in place of a discussion board to create another path for engagement.
Trustees pressed staff about classroom logistics. "How would we go about, utilizing this with, like, our dual, students? ... how could we go about for them to utilize something like that without, a recording device?" asked Dr. Gilberto Martinez. Gaius and other staff responded that classroom technology — including SMART boards used by dual-enrollment adjuncts — can be used to capture or present student responses without relying on student phones.
Gaius said the strategy aligns with the district's ongoing Universal Design for Learning work and can be delivered through professional development: "There's no cost. All it does is level up our teachers, instruction." Staff recommended training dual-enrollment adjuncts and facilitators so they can adopt the additional pathways.
Trustees requested implementation details for dual-enrollment and specialized programs; staff committed to follow-up with training plans and to coordinate with content deans who have led UDL professional development.
The district did not propose new funding for Plus 1; staff described it as an instructional practice to be rolled out through teacher development and existing classroom technology.
