Dr. Joy Shaw Middle School presents improvement plan after D rating

Principal Lenoria Washington told the Red Oak ISD Board of Trustees that Doctor Joy Shaw Middle School received an overall D rating (69.2) and has particular weaknesses in closing achievement gaps and academic growth. Washington said the campus is targeting two student groups—African American and Hispanic students—for more intensive support and outlined several actions to address those gaps.

"We have implemented Power Hour," Washington said, describing a double-block math period for students who did not meet standards on the STAAR/STAR assessments. She listed strategic scheduling, SOAR classes, focused tutoring (Soaring After Sunset), student data folders and weekly walkthroughs that provide immediate feedback to teachers as central components of the plan.

Washington also said administrators are using the Texas Effective Schools Framework to guide priorities, emphasizing 'building teacher capacity through observation and feedback' and 'data-driven instruction.' She described daily and weekly data meetings, PLCs and plans to use I-Ready and other resources to prepare students for STAAR-era assessments. On behavior, the campus will reinforce PBIS (positive behavioral interventions and supports) and explore Safe & Civil Schools materials to build consistent expectations.

Board members asked how the campus documents teacher follow-up after walkthrough feedback and how student data folders are structured. Washington said coaching plans are reviewed weekly, documentation shows teacher growth, and each student’s folder contains CBA scores and TEKS-aligned targets so students can set and monitor goals. "We show them their data," she said, adding that the campus is already seeing "some improvements" on interim assessments and in hallway behavior as class sizes and campus structures stabilize.

The presentation noted Shaw’s strengths—C-level student achievement and school progress—but stressed the need to raise closing-the-gaps and growth measures from D/F levels. Washington said the school will schedule town halls to involve parents and the community in the improvement effort and will continue partnering with district teams for coaching and data analysis.

The board thanked Washington and chief of secondary schools Israel Cordero for the update; follow-up questions focused on implementation timelines and how district staff will support consistent data review.

The board did not take a vote on the improvement plan during the meeting; Washington presented the plan and answered questions.