Get Full Government Meeting Transcripts, Videos, & Alerts Forever!
Get email alerts on the School Plan And Curriculum topic
No spam. Unsubscribe anytime.
Abilene ISD outlines annual school plan, approves K–8 math curriculum and grant applications
Summary
Board members reviewed the district annual plan and approved curriculum and grant actions, including adopting Amplify Math for K–5 and Bluebonnet/Carnegie for grades 6–8 (effective 2026–27) and authorizing LASO and LIFT-related grant applications; votes recorded with absences noted.
At the Nov. 20 special meeting, Abilene ISD trustees reviewed the district annual school plan and approved several implementation actions, including changes to the K–8 math curriculum and authorization to apply for state grants.
Jay Ashby, executive director of innovation and program development, summarized the annual school plan as the implementation vehicle for the district's Quality Schools Analysis (QSA). He described district tiering and data showing that 13 of 19 campuses improved in recent years, but that systemwide student-growth metrics remain stagnant in some grades. Ashby described several grant programs the district plans to pursue, including LIFT (a three-year grant to support instructional leadership and HQIM implementation), PLC supports and campus-level CISISG grants for curriculum and instruction.
Associate Superintendent Patty Blue presented academic data showing downward trends in math across much of K–8 and described pilots of Amplify Math (second and fourth grades) and local reviews of Bluebonnet/Carnegie at middle school. After consulting principals and coaches, staff recommended adopting Amplify Math for K–5 and Bluebonnet/Carnegie for grades 6–8 beginning in the 2026–27 school year; middle-school leaders said they prefer to retain Carnegie with additional supports.
Trustees discussed continuity between elementary and middle school curricula, teacher supports and grant eligibility. Board members authorized staff to apply for LIFT, LASO Cycle 4 and other grants (applications due Dec. 3 for many programs) and to continue actions tied to campus redesigns and resource campus designation efforts at selected schools.
The motion to approve the K–8 math curriculum as presented passed on a roll-call vote recorded as 5–0 with two trustees absent (Danny Wheat and Cindy Earls). Trustees also approved the LASO Cycle 4 grant application by the same tally. District staff said TEA interview phases and award notices are expected in early 2026 and that implementation timelines will depend on grant awards and TEA approvals.
