Technology + Online + Industry + Partnerships

• 10/01/09

Aldine ISD Takes $1 Million Broad Prize

The use of a social networking tool proves pivotal in the selection of the Texas district to receive the annual honor.

Aldine Independent School District (TX) was recently named the recipient of the 2009 Broad Prize for Urban Education, a distinction that carries with it $1 million in college scholarships for students.

A panel of judges for the Eli and Edythe Broad Foundation, which administers the annual prize, selected Aldine from among the 100 largest urban school districts in the United States. Foundation representatives said that Aldine outperformed districts with similar economic demographics in reading and math; demonstrated high proficiency in reading and math among economic and ethnic/racial subgroups; closed achievement gaps; proved that academic proficiency does not have to be predicted by family income level; and adopted districtwide policies that set "clear, rigorous expectations for teachers and principals" and provide "easy access to instructional resources and student performance information."

Panelists selected the winner based on student performance data analyzed by Massachusetts-based education consultancy SchoolWorks, which also conducted on-site interviews.

Aldine is the 66th-largest school district in the country, with more than 60,000 students and 4,000 teachers in 72 schools. More than eight out of 10 students in the district qualify for free or reduced-price lunches, and 31 percent are English language learners.

According to the information released by the Broad Foundation, technology has played a significant role in Aldine's success, in particular its use of Triand, an online social networking tool that focuses on curriculum design, instructional delivery, and assessment.

Using the tool, teachers work in teams, going over frequently missed test questions and evaluating how their instruction could be altered to help students better demonstrate knowledge of the subject. Evaluations are based on reports generated through Triand, which in turn reflect assessment data collected from core subjects throughout the school year.

In addition, school leaders are required to use the tool to review teachers' lesson plans on a weekly basis. They also review assessment data to identify students with special needs, and then use the information to develop "targeted staff development in schools where problems were detected." A more thorough explanation of the district's practices can be found here.

The more than $1 million in scholarships awarded to Aldine ISD will be distributed to students entering two- or four-year colleges and universities according to academic performance and economic need.

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:: Industry News

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