Comparing+DIPS

EDLD 5342 Thyrun Hurst Week One Assignment - Part 4
 * Part 4**

I am surprised at the vast differences when comparing the Humble ISD’s District Improvement Plan (DIP) to the Austin ISD’s District Improvement Plan (DIP). My district’s improvement plan (Humble ISD) is written with more emphasis to address the needs for student and academic improvement. The plan for Humble is very specific and detailed in moving the district forward as it focuses on “LEARNING” and systems to improve learning. The Humble DIP consists of clearly defined Goals and Objectives, District Needs Assessments (DNA), and detailed action plans to address all identified needs and goals/objectives. When viewing the DIP for Austin ISD, it was very difficult to follow. It included multiple agendas from previous meetings, updates, district policy pages, uses of State Compensatory Education and External Grant Funding, and a proposal about the ACCESS program. However, both DIPS contained information about Highly Qualified Staff and Positive Behavior Intervention Systems. In both documents funding sources are listed for each objective and district goal. In the next few paragraphs, I will highlight some of the differences and similarities of both DIPS.


 * District Goals-Objectives/Desired Results **
 * *All information typed in purple pertains to Humble ISD **
 * *All information in typed in red pertains to Austin ISD **
 * The Goals and Objectives for Humble ISD are listed on page 3 of the DIP, each goal and objective has sub goals. All categories in this section of the Humble DIP are supported by an Action Plan. **
 * Goal 1: student academic achievement **
 * Goal 2: highly qualified staff **
 * Goal 3: safe and secure environment **
 * Goal 4: welcoming culture and climate **
 * The Goals and Objectives for Austin ISD are listed on page 29 of the DIP. **
 * Goal 1: Improve Graduation Rates (Appendix B) **
 * Goal 2: Highly Qualified Teachers......the goal is list – not SMART **


 * District Funding Sources **
 * In the section for funding Goals and Objectives in the Humble ISD DIP, it was very broad. The majority of the time the plan listed “Local” for the funding source and “Title” for Goals and Objectives that required Title funds. **
 * When reading the DIP from Austin ISD it was very specific when listing funds for Goals and Objectives **


 * In closing and in my opinion the DIP for Austin ISD is incomplete and does not map out or direct precise targets.....exception being “Graduation Rates” for student and academic learning. My idea of an Improvement Plan of any kind would be of clear and precise targets (SMART). When reviewing the DIP for Humble ISD, it is clear and precisely focused on “LEARNING and ACADEMICS”. I personally believe that the DIP should guide and cover the needs of the district that promotes learning.**