Fruitvale School Board Focuses On District’s Technology Matters

Technology’s influence was felt in many areas of discussion during the Fruitvale ISD School Board meeting on Nov. 20.

Surveillance cameras have recently been installed on campus and around playground areas to promote increased safety for students. Security lighting needs were addressed and repairs have been made in an attempt to better secure facility.

The 2008-2009 District Improvement Plan includes a provision concerning technology in other areas which specifically involve student achievement and testing.

The TSTEM (Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Math) grant is proving beneficial for Fruitvale students, who have received recognition in academic competitions. That includes one in Robotics in which the Fruitvale team placed 15

Fruitvale High School principal Matt Tyner reported completing installation of ceiling-mounted projectors in the high school as well as the use of streaming videos, which can be used in all subjects.

Discussions took place regarding the anticipated future requirement of electronic or online testing by the Texas Education Agency. Fruitvale ISD is beginning to prepare for the day Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) tests will be administered online only.

Currently, the only electronic testing required by TEA are field TAKS tests and TELPAS (testing which monitors progress for LEP or limited English proficient students).

Other related areas involve providing ample training for teachers in the area of technology and acquiring additional subjects for Study Island tutorial computer programs.

Many suggestions from teachers and parents were taken into consideration by campus improvement groups. Changes at the elementary include TAKS benchmarks to occur three times a year versus every six weeks.

Math facts will now be implemented in kindergarten through fifth grade. Social studies themes will be introduced during these formative years to assist junior high grade-level testing in this area.

Secondary campus changes include a homebound pregnancy policy for students who qualify.

A new graduation policy also was approved during the meeting. Students who have completed all course graduation requirements, TAKS tutorials, and attempted each testing of exit level TAKS will now receive a completion certificate at graduation.

In past years, other Texas students were not allowed to participate in graduation because of failure to pass all exit level Science, Math, English and History sections of the TAKS.

Fruitvale will now allow those students to attend their graduation ceremony and each student will receive either the certificate or diploma which he or she has earned.

"I am a strong believer that you get what you work for," said trustee Jean Hogue.

Fruitvale ISD Superintendent Bill Boyd added that the administration is focused on providing students with appropriate resources to create a successful environment.