A turnaround plan for Bowie Elementary was approved by the SMCISD School Board at the Oct. 20 meeting. This plan is in compliance with the Texas Education Code Chapter 39A which outlines requirements for campuses who receive an ‘unacceptable’ rating. Although Bowie’s rating improved to a “D” for the 2024-2025 school year, the previous two school years saw an “F” rating for the campus.
The Texas Education Agency rates each school and district every year after assessing student achievement and school progress. In order to comply with the TEA, schools that received consecutive failing ratings must submit a needs assessment, a stakeholder engagement meeting and a turnaround plan to the agency.
During the school board meeting Deputy Superintendent and Chief Academic Officer Terrence Sanders gave a presentation of the plan, alongside Bowie’s newest principal Jessica Berry, on strategies being implemented on campus to work towards an improved rating. Their goal is to move Bowie to a “C” this year.
”We did not have test accountability results released for a couple of years - ratings were delayed due to litigation,” Sanders said.
There is a campus intervention team designated by TEA, whose goal is to help the school meet the requirements to rise from the ‘unacceptable’ rating. This team includes the campus principal, their direct supervisor and a District Coordinator for School Improvement, along with other SMCISD staff appointed by TEA.
Bowie is currently at year two in TEA intervention process. The school has two more years to comply with TEA standards or it risks the possibility of closing or a replacement in the Board of Managers. Schools exit out of the ‘school improvement’ phase by receiving an overall “A,” “B” or “C” rating.
”Our goal has one unifying, researched based turnaround strategy and that is intensive focus on curriculum and tier 1 instruction,” Berry said. This goal includes action steps such as lesson internalization and using HQIM routine coaching and feedback through consistent observation and professional development. The school implements a ‘BOOST’ block which gives students a 45 minute period each day to focus on areas of improvement with the goal to improve student growth in RLA and math. Bowie is aiming to close gaps for EB and SPED students.
