Key details of how the Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District plans to transform its schools during the next three to five years were released after Tuesday night’s adoption of the district’s strategic plan by its board of trustees during its regular meeting.
Trustees approved the document titled “Transforming Learning for Global Achievement” after almost five months of planning and preparation that included input and collaboration from HCISD staff, students and community members. The strategic plan outlines new district goals, as well as specific result statements that will shape the development and implementation of new programs, renovations at district facilities and integration of new technology.
“The thoughtfulness and the meticulousness of the planning process is to be commended by our staff and community members,” said George McShan, board president. “We had over 800 staff, students and community members participate in this plan through our survey, focus groups, strategic planning committees and our action teams. We would not have been able to produce an effective plan without the support and the participation of our community. Our goal was to utilize a group of citizens that were representative of our community, including parents, teachers, students, and leaders from our business and civic communities, and I strongly feel we accomplished that goal. Now our job is to take that vision and to execute it over the course of three to five years.”
Some of the key themes from “Transforming Learning for Global Achievement” included developing learning environments conducive for collaboration; creating curriculum to fit the individual needs of students; opening of specialized and unique schools for students at all levels of education; and to align high school programs with post-secondary endorsements and certification programs for career readiness. HCISD has published the strategic plan’s goals, result statements and community responses on a website at www.hcisd.org/transforminglearning.
“Every thing we do as a system of world class schools and as a public service needs to be aligned and targeted in order to efficiently and effectively execute our mission of improving the quality of life for our students,” said Dr. Arturo Cavazos, superintendent of schools. “Our mission is to provide educational excellence and world-class schools for all students, while providing students with choices for a meaningful and a successful life. I feel strongly that this plan will help us to inspire learners for a lifetime and I am excited to begin developing our action plans that align with ‘Transforming Learning for Global Achievement.’”
Details from the specific action plans and the implementation of new programs and renovations will be released once they are finalized, Dr. Cavazos said. Some of the next steps include the redesign of the two comprehensive high schools, Harlingen High School and Harlingen High School South, which will align to the format at the Dr. Abraham P. Cano Freshman Academy for schools of study and project-based learning.
