Alamo Heights ISD reports steady enrollment, strong MAP growth and a new focus on math materials
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Summary
Dr. Walker presented a district snapshot showing stable enrollment (~4,736), attendance above the state average and MAP growth in many subjects, but identified math as the primary instructional gap; the district received a $554,000 state grant to support math professional learning and is considering Bluebonnet for adoption with ordering planned in March.
Dr. Walker delivered a two‑part district update to the advisory council, reporting relatively stable enrollment (4,736 at the October snapshot), attendance rates above the state average and strong MAP growth projections in multiple content areas.
Walker highlighted several operational measures: attendance historically around 96% (state ≈93%), and an observed increase in reportable discipline incidents driven in part by a law change that allows in‑school suspension in elementary grades and by improved coding practices. He cautioned those discipline increases are not a straightforward apples‑to‑apples comparison with prior years.
Turning to academics, Walker said the district’s goal is for the median score to be at the 50th percentile or higher on MAP growth measures. "Our goal is that we want our median or middle score to be at the fiftieth percentile or higher," Walker said, and presented median and growth figures that exceed that target in several subjects. He also reviewed MAP‑to‑STAAR projections showing increases in approaches and masters bands in some grades.
Despite this progress, Walker identified math as the one subject requiring greater consistency across classrooms and grade levels. He emphasized time‑on‑task, teacher efficacy, vertical alignment and access to high‑quality, consistent instructional materials as levers for improvement. Walker said the district was awarded a state grant for math professional learning (stated at $554,000) and noted additional funding sources could offset adoption costs.
The district is seriously considering Bluebonnet math materials; Walker said teams visited classrooms in Boerne ISD and surveyed districts using the program and that teacher feedback will guide any final decision. Communication milestones include campus visits in February, parent information via the superintendent’s March update, a board presentation in March and ordering of materials in March to accommodate summer construction and delivery logistics.
Attendees discussed lesson planning, the balance between teacher creativity and consistency, and how MAP testing and PLC collaboration are used to identify classrooms needing additional support. Walker invited staff and families to provide feedback during the adoption review and said training and materials procurement will follow board review.
The meeting closed with a reminder about focus groups for a strategic‑plan update and a nonpartisan reminder to vote in the March primaries.