Program Overview Chart
Akins, Sunset Valley, Pleasant Hill Prog. Overview

AISD REACH
IS COMPRISED OF THREE PROGRAM ELEMENTS:

1. STUDENT GROWTH
The student growth component of the initiative rewards teachers for raising the academic achievement of their students through school-wide growth on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test and through the development of student learning objectives (SLOs). Developing SLOs empowers teachers to use strategic planning and data analysis to identify their students' strengths at the beginning of the year and to determine the classroom instructional needs that will improve academic achievement throughout the year.

2. PROFESSIONAL GROWTH
Austin has recognized the need to nurture the energy and talent of its newest teachers. Through a new mentoring program, novice teachers at the pilot's Highest-Needs campuses receive full-time experienced mentors who provide high-quality individualized professional development, guidance, and classroom support, as new teachers work to create an environment for student growth.

In addition, through a unique offering from the National Board for Professional Teaching Standards, teachers and administrators are able to complete one element of the National Board Certification process through the TAKE ONE!™ program. TAKE ONE!™ engages teachers in meaningful, challenging, and rewarding professional development, helping them to make the critical link between effective instruction and student learning gains.

3. HIGHEST-NEEDS SCHOOLS
This component of the initiative helps to recruit and retain highly skilled professionals for AISD's Highest-Needs schools by providing new-to-school stipends for teachers who are in their first to third year of service and by providing retention stipends for teachers who have served in an AISD REACH Highest-Needs school for three or more years.