Small Town News

Aquilla ISD receives $50, 000 grant

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AQUILLA - Aquilla ISD is one of only three districts in Region XII to receive the 2010 College Readiness Grant that will allot $50, 000 to better the enhancement of school technology resources, software, and funds that will prepare students for college. Aquilla Independent School District, which in recent years has made great strides in boosting its test scores and academic efforts, was awarded the $50, 000 grant by the Texas Education Agency to support a new model for a district-wide college readiness initiative.

"As technology shrinks our world, it brings us into closer competition with people all over the globe who want the same jobs we do. If students are going to experience a successful, prosperous career, they need an education that will equip them to compete in the global marketplace, "Gov. Rick Perry said.

The District is part of a larger effort across the state to continue improving the quality of a Texas education and ensure every student graduate ready for college or career. AISD has made remarkable progress in recent years. The district has numerous high school students currently enrolled in college courses, which provides a tremendous opportunity for these students.

"As a result of what we expect to happen in AISD, school districts in Texas and across the country will have a working model that shows how a district can partner with institutions of higher education and work with its community to create college and career opportunities for all students, "said district Superintendent David

Edisoa.

The grant will begin this year by preparing 7th and 8th-grade to be successful on the Algebra I and English IEOC exams and eventually meet the college readiness performance standards on the English III and Algebra II EOC exams. This grant will provide 7th-and 8th-grade mathematics and English teachers with the increased content knowledge and use of effective instructional strategies designed to increase college readiness for all students.

"This College Readiness grant fosters a college-going culture and

prepares students for rigorous high school and post-secondary studies, "Edison explained.

The ultimate goal of the grant is to have all students in the district graduate fromhigh schoolwith the skills and knowledge they need to be successful in college and career. Additionally, district officials want each high school graduate to have earned college credit through programs such as the Early College High School and dual credit.

With the help of this grant, AISD will:

Implement college-ready features and instructional strategies

into existing middle and high school grades.

Expand advanced coursework and dual credit options.

Provide every class to be set up with multimedia stations and plasma televisions in the hallways as a way to display announcements, student successes and student work.

By 2012-2013 with the help of the grant, district officials project that more than 80 percent of the students will experience college courses in high schooland all middle school students will be in accelerated programs.



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© 2011 The Lakelander Whitney, Texas. All Rights Reserved. This content, including derivations, may not be stored or distributed in any manner, disseminated, published, broadcast, rewritten or reproduced without express, written consent from DAS.

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