Innovation, Teaching & Learning
Committed to educational excellence for all students
The Innovation, Teaching & Learning department is committed to educational excellence for all Willis students. We use three distinct pillars to guide our decisions:
Curriculum Framework
Learning Intentions, Units, Assessments, Resources
Goals
-
TEKS - what students should know and be able to do at the end of each grade level or course
-
Essential Standards
-
Readiness Standards - Assessment
-
Supporting Standards - Assessed/Not always emphasized
-
Process Standards - Combine standards
-
SEs - Student expectations (SEs) identify the specific knowledge and skills that students must demonstrate.
-
Learning Targets
Classify/Categorize/Calendar (TEKS Resource and Local Documents)
-
YAG (Year at a Glance) - Scope and Sequence
-
IFDs (Instructional Focus Document)
-
Unit Guides
-
Lesson Plans
-
Backwards Design
Assessments
-
District Unit Assessments
-
CFAs (Common Formative Assessments)
-
MAP (Measure of Academic Progress)
-
Interim Assessments
Resources (Instructional)
-
Content Frameworks
-
Content SIGs (Strategic Implementation Guide)
-
District-adopted curriculum resources
-
Instructional Strategies
-
Activities
-
Materials
-
Student Data
-
TELPAS
-
STAAR
-
Screeners
-
Assessments
-
Running Records
-
Lexile Scores
-
Accommodations/Modifications
-
Student Work
Main Contact
John Vaglienty
Chief Academic Officer
936-890-7752
jvaglienty@willisisd.org
Department Information
Address:
612 N. Campbell
Willis, TX 77378
|
|
More to Explore
- ITL Department
- English/Language Arts
- History
- Math
- Science
- Course Catalogs
- RTI Framework
- Federal Programs
- HB 3 Reading Academies
- HB 1416
ITL Department
English/Language Arts
History
Math
Science
Mission of Science Education is WISD
To engage students in hands-on experience to become scientifically literate through building skills in asking questions, problem solving, and engineering principals.
Science Curriculum in WISD
Willis ISD teachers plan and deliver lessons on the TEKS (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills) and follow the district's scope and sequence. Science teachers follow the Texas Safety Standards when planning and delivering hands-on experiences for students.
Science Instruction in WISD
Science instruction at Willis ISD is through the 5E Instructional Model. Teachers design lesson sequences for students to engage, explore, explain, elaborate, and evaluate each concept covered during the school year.
Safety in the Science Lab
Willis ISD promotes a culture of safety in our science labs. Teachers receive training in lab safety. Students learn about lab safety at the beginning of the school year and review the safety contract. Students are also taught lab safety throughout the year.
State Science Assessments
Students take the STAAR for each of the following courses:
- 5th Grade Science
- 8th Grade Science
- Biology (EOC)
Science Links
- STEMscope - Login through Clever
- TEKSResource
- Lead4Ward
- Canvas
Recent Science Adoption Information
2024-25
Willis ISD's Innovation, Teaching, and Learning department along with Student Services manages the adoption, purchase, inventory, and distribution of the district's instructional materials. These materials are primarily purchased with the district's Instructional Materials and Technology Allotment (IMAT) from the Texas Education Agency (TEA). You can read more about TEA's Instructional Materials here.
State adopted instructional materials and textbooks are selected through a process TEA calls a Proclamation. The current Proclamation is Proclamation 2024 and covers the following courses:
- K-12 Science
- Science related CTE Courses
- K-8 Technology Applications
- Personal Financial Literacy
Preview Instruction Material Under Consideration
Parents and community members are invited to preview the 2024 adoption materials Willis ISD is considering for K-12 Science. A district committee, including teachers and parents, has chosen materials for stakeholder consideration. The recommended materials may be reviewed by clicking the link from each publisher below. Additionally, the public is invited to preview the materials being considered.
Location: Sharon Hill Jennette Admin Building located at 612 N. Campbell St.
Jan. 31, from 5-7 pm
Feb. 1, 9 am-12 pm and 1-4 pm
Feb. 7, 9 am-12 pm and 5-7 pm
To provide feedback, click here for our online survey.
HMH Elementary and Middle School
Website: hmhco.com/reviewtxsciencek8
Username: TX_Teacher1
Password: Easy123!
Savvas Elementary and Middle School
Website: www.savvasrealize.com
Username: ExperienceScienceK8
Password: Savvas2024 (case sensitive)
High School
Website: www.savvasrealize.com
Username: ExperienceScience912
Password: Savvas2024
STEMscopes Elementary, Middle, and High School
Website:
stem.acceleratelearning.com/
Username: WillisISD
Password: Science2024!
https://info.
Guidelines for Publishers
- Willis Independent School District is a closed district. Therefore, publishers may not have any contact with campus personnel, School Board members or administrators other than the central administration contacts.
- Publishers will attend only districtwide textbook presentations that are initiated by central administration. Publisher presentation will be held on January 3rd.
- Neither publishers nor their representatives may visit, contact, email or conduct presentations on individual campuses.
- Individual or mass mailings, letters, emails or telephone communications from publishers to teachers are not permitted.
- No publisher shall provide or offer a commission or rebate on any textbooks, electronic textbooks, instructional materials, or technological equipment used in the schools with which a Board member, administrator, or teacher is associated.
- No publisher shall offer a Board member, administrator, or teacher any gifts, favor, or service that might reasonably tend to influence the Board member, administrator, or teacher in the selection of a textbook, electronic textbook, instructional material, or technological equipment. “Gift, favor, or service” does not include:
- Staff development, in-service, or teacher training; or
- Instructional materials, such as maps or worksheets, that convey information to the student or otherwise contribute to the learning process. Education Code 31.152
- Publishers are prohibited from discussing with district staff textbook voting-related decisions.
- Publishers with digital materials will be responsible for submitting username/passwords for access to review online materials.
- Digital Materials: Instructional materials are compliant with Learning Tools Interoperability (LTI) and Common Cartridge. Willis ISD currently uses Google Classroom for grades K-5 and Canvas for grades 6-12.
Main Contact
Jason Merik
District Science Coordinator
jmerik@willisisd.org
936-890-6228
Science Pacing Documents
Course Catalogs
RTI Framework
Federal Programs
Title I, Part A
Title I is a federally funded program, part of the Elementary and Secondary Education Act (ESEA) of 1965. ESEA was reauthorized by the Every Student Succeeds Act (EESA). Title I provides supplemental funding for resources to help schools, with high concentrations of students from low-income families, provide a high-quality education that will enable all children to meet the state’s student performance standards. Title I, Part A supports schools in implementing either a school-wide program or a targeted assistance program. These programs must use effective methods and instructional strategies that are grounded in scientifically-based research. The program is designed to accomplish four primary goals.
- Provide supplementary education to students eligible for services;
- Provide additional funding to schools and districts serving high concentrations of children from low-income families;
- Focus educator efforts on the needs of special student populations; and
- Improve the academic achievement of eligible students, reduce performance gaps between advantaged and disadvantaged students, and assist eligible students in meeting high academic standards.
Title II, Part A—Teacher and Principal Training and Recruiting Fund
The purpose and intent of this program is to provide financial assistance to the LEAs to do the following:
Increase student academic achievement through improving teacher and principal quality and increasing the number of highly qualified teachers in the classrooms and highly qualified principals and assistant principals in schools
Hold LEAs and schools accountable for improving student achievement
Title III, Part A—English Language Acquisition, Language Enhancement, and Academic Achievement
Aims to ensure that English Learners and immigrant students attain English proficiency and develop high levels of academic achievement in English
Title IV, Part A—Student Support and Academic Enrichment Program
Areas of focus for this grant area are as follows: well-rounded education, student health and safety, and support for effective use of technology.
In accordance with federal regulations, an entity planning to submit a federal grant application must afford a reasonable opportunity for public comment on the application that is submitted to the Texas Education Agency for approval. The following are the final amounts Willis ISD was awarded for the 2021-22 school year; as well as the planning amount for 2022-23. Willis ISD always welcomes comments or questions concerning any of the grants listed below.
2021-2022 Final Amounts
Title I - $1,414,889
Title II - $284,566
Title III - $163,377
Title IV - $155,961
2022-2023 Planning Amounts
Title I - $1,459,359
Title II - 249,838
Title III - $127,080
Title IV - $96,932
Forms
Parent & Family Engagement
Texas Education Code §39.0545, as passed by the 83rd Texas legislature, requires Local Education Agencies (LEAs) to complete district and individual campus evaluations in the area of community and student engagement. Eight categories consisting of components chosen by each LEA are to be evaluated. LEAs shall use criteria developed by a local committee to assign the district and each campus a performance rating of Exemplary, Recognized, Acceptable, or Unacceptable.
access parent & Family Engagement Newsletters
The following eight categories must be evaluated and reported to the Texas Education Agency by August 8 of each year:
- Fine Arts
- Wellness and Physical Education
- Community and parental Involvement
- 21st Century Workforce Development
- Second Language Acquisition Program
- The Digital learning Environment
- Dropout Prevention and Strategies
- Gifted and Talented Programs
Notice to Private Non-Profit School Officials
Willis Independent School District is submitting a consolidated application for federal programs funding for the 2023-2024 school year to the Texas Education Agency/ The purpose of this notice is to identify the programs for which we are applying and to invite your participation.
The Every Student Succeeds Act of 2015 (ESSA) requires that timely and meaningful consultation occurs between each public school district receiving ESSA funds prior to any decision that affects the opportunities of eligible private school children, teachers, families, and other educational personnel to participate in programs funded under Titles I, IIA, IIIA, and IVA.
The goal of the consultation is for district and private school officials to reach an agreement on whether each private school will participate in each program and how the district will provide equitable and effective programs for eligible private school children.
Public school districts are required under the Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) to offer eligible children attending non-public (private) elementary and secondary schools, their teachers, and their families, services or other benefits, such as supplemental instruction, professional development, parent involvement, or materials and supplies that are equitable to those provided to eligible public school children, their teachers, and their families.
This letter is our annual “intent to participate” offer in the Willis Independent School District ESSA programs (Titles I, IIA, IIIA, and IVA). This letter also describes, in brief, the opportunities for private schools that may be available under ESSA. Note that each title program has its own eligibility requirements and funding calculations and those may determine whether it is worthwhile to pursue equitable service opportunities. For each program described below, private school officials must affirm interest in participating by responding to this initial outreach and then by participating in a ‘meaningful consultation meeting’, and finally by signing the ‘ESSA Affirmation of Consultation and Agreement’, each party keeping a copy of the agreement for their records.
Title IA is a federally funded program that provides supplemental instructional services to eligible students who are attending public or non-public schools. The amount of funds available to provide services in each school is determined by the number of low-income students living in the participating Title I public school attendance area. To be eligible to participate in the Title I program, a student does not have to be low-income but must live in a participating Title I school attendance area. Students participating in the Title I program must be identified through multiple criteria assessment as having an educational attainment that is below the level appropriate for their grade-level.
Title IIA is designed to increase student achievement; improve the quality and effectiveness of teachers, principals, and other school leaders; increase the number of teachers, principals, and other school leaders who are effective at improving student academic achievement; and provide students from low-income families and minority students greater access to effective teachers, principals, and other school leaders. The amount of funds available to provide services in each school is determined by dividing the public-school district Title II allocation by the district enrollment and participating private school enrollment.
Title IIIA provides supplemental services that improve the English language proficiency and academic achievement of ELs, including through the provision of language instruction educational programs (LIEPs) and activities that increase the knowledge and skills of teachers who serve Els. The amount of funds available to provide services in each school is determined by dividing the Title III district allocation by the public-school district EL count and participating private school EL count.
Title IVA also referred to as the Student Support and Academic Enrichment (SSAE) program, is intended to provide all students with access to a well-rounded education, improve school conditions for student learning, and improve the use of technology in order to improve the academic achievement and digital literacy of all students. The amount of funds available to provide services in each school is determined by dividing the public-school district Title IV allocation by the district enrollment and participating private school enrollment.
As stated above, should you choose to have eligible students participate in any of these programs, further consultation will be necessary to outline program requirements and to agree upon the design of a viable program.
The accompanied form should be returned no later than April 30th. The form can be returned using U.S. mail or email as stated on the form.