Comparison of district plans

Austin ISD vs. Liberty ISD

Overview

Austin ISD’s District Improvement plan focuses on key guidance plans, implementation plans, and resource plans. 

Liberty ISD’s District Improvement plan focuses on three main goals: student performance, parent/community involvement, and a safe, orderly environment that promotes successful student learning.

Budget information

Austin ISD’s budget focuses on personnel, fringes, travel, supplies, contracts, construction, training, external, and internal costs.  This budget lists the dollar amount that each area would receive.  All school program costs come from various funds and grants.  The Austin ISD plan lists each area that requires external grants and federal funds and the source of the funding.  Liberty ISD does list specific areas where money is used, but does not specifically break down how each dollar in the school budget will be spent.  Money spent in Liberty ISD focuses on curriculum, staff development, at-risk students, bilingual students, dyslexic students, gifted and talented, staffing, library, technology, and attendance.

Differences

Information Format

The differences occur in the format of the district improvement plan.  Austin ISD’s District Improvement plan is written in such a way that shows approved plans, actions and members of the district advisory council, updates including staffing and budgets, milestones, recommendations, and meeting results. The appendices seem to be the heart of the plan.  In the appendices ,the reader can look at data that includes use of state compensatory education (CSE) and external grant funding, Performance Based Monitoring Analysis System (PBMAS), highly qualified (HQ) teacher criteria, district policy on sexual harassment and dating violence, and pregnancy related services.  Liberty ISD’s plan opens with the district mission statement and begins by stating goals and performance indicators.  The plan continues by listing objectives, goals, and needs assessments.  In addition to this the written format differs. The majority of Liberty ISD’s plan is written in table form whereas Austin ISD’s is written in the format of paragraphs, listing, tables, and charts.  Finally, the lengths of the plans differ.  Austin ISD’s plan is 53 pages long whereas Liberty ISD’s plan is only 27 pages long. 

Similarities

The similarities between the two plans occurs in Appendix B, the performance based monitoring analysis system.  The Austin ISD plan lists specific goals, measurable evidence of change, activities, resources, and timelines.  Liberty ISD plans lists goals and strategies, persons responsible, resources, formative evaluations, and timelines listed in table form. The sources of school program funding in both districts come from Title I, Title II, Title III, SCE, grants, special ed funds, bilingual student funds, general, and local funds.

Conclusion

When comparing district improvement plans, both similarities and differences can be noted.  Each district builds its plan based on the needs of its students.