Garland ISD announces new ACE program

(GARLAND ISD, TX – April 11, 2018) With a mission to provide an exceptional education to all students, Garland ISD recently announced the upcoming transformation of two campuses. Beginning in 2018-19, Handley Elementary School and Lyles Middle School will implement the Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) program. Focusing on strategic staffing and student support, the ACE model includes identifying specific staff members who can best meet the individual needs of students at participating campuses in order to ensure their academic, social and emotional success.

Garland ISD is just the fourth district in Texas to implement ACE, providing students in high mobility, high poverty areas with a proven platform for closing achievement and opportunity gaps. Since implementing their programs, both Dallas and Fort Worth ISDs have seen increased academic performance in core content areas, improved attendance, and a stronger parent-school connection. Richardson ISD also plans to launch four ACE schools next year.

New features for Garland ISD’s ACE campuses include an extended school day, which allows for increased instructional time to focus on critical subjects like English and math, tutoring, homework help and more. ACE campuses also stay open until 6 p.m., Monday through Friday, offering a variety of enrichment activities. Because a priority of the program is to provide for social and emotional care, many other basic needs will also be provided. Some of these include discounted uniforms, breakfast, lunch and dinner and free evening transportation on Monday through Thursday for students who stay until 6 p.m. Additionally, the team of highly effective educators recruited for these campuses will be handpicked from across GISD, offered an opportunity to earn financial incentives and the chance to co-build a dynamic and transformative learning environment alongside talented peers.

GISD announced its upcoming ACE initiative during the district’s April 10 Board of Trustees meeting.

“Garland ISD is excited and very proud of the opportunity provided by our Board of Trustees to implement the ACE model at Handley Elementary and Lyles Middle School,” said Dr. Ricardo López, Garland ISD Superintendent. “The ACE program has proven results in transforming campus culture and dramatically improving achievement for students. Providing an exceptional education and meeting the unique needs of our students is our mission, and this investment of resources at these two campuses exemplifies our commitment to carrying out this mission.”

Submitted press release by Tiffany Veno, Garland ISD, Director of Communications.

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