The coastal city of Galveston, Texas is a big, small town. With over six thousand students enrolled in Galveston Independent School District’s 12 schools, the close-knit community of educators, students, and families share a commitment to elevating learning.
But like many schools, Galveston saw a notable dip in student performance after the pandemic, with elementary reading and language art scores dropping slightly below average in the region. In response, district leaders sought to foster growth and aimed to reduce the number of zeros on the state writing assessment STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness), which scores responses on a 0-10 scale. How would they go about doing so?
“[We had to] do something pretty robust in order to get our kids caught up,” says Dr. Jeff Post, Galveston ISD assistant superintendent for teaching and learning.
The team at Galveston decided to set forth on a growth journey, starting with the implementation of a comprehensive ecosystem of solutions. We sat down with Dr. Post as well as with other district leaders and educators to discuss Galveston’s plan of action that resulted in incredible student gains.
Galveston ISD was in search of high-quality instructional materials to boost student achievement. See how their partnership with HMH was a game changer for both teachers and students.
A district’s strategic growth plan
Leaders at Galveston ISD decided to carefully map out how they were going to achieve their growth goals. Their plan consisted of three major components:
- Implement high-quality instructional materials and strengthen tier 1 instruction.
- Implement data processes so that principals and teachers have access to real-time data.
- Implement instructional rounds and show up in classrooms with teachers.
Providing high-quality materials
HMH’s Into Reading and Writable proved to be the high-quality tier 1 instructional materials Galveston was looking for. With Into Reading, teachers were able to provide students with a comprehensive literacy program that featured engaging reading materials and digital assignments, while Writable provided daily writing practice as well as AI-powered writing feedback for students. Both solutions were available in English and Spanish to address the needs of students in Galveston’s dual language program.
The element that made all the difference for Galveston ISD was the solutions’ integration on a single platform, HMH's Ed. Teachers were able to find related activities and materials within both Into Reading and Writable. Dr. Post noted that Galveston educators enjoyed the efficiency of using integrated solutions. "Educators are big on connections. We like when we see something that overlaps with something else that we're doing because we don't want to waste time. With HMH products, we've been able to see that how Into Reading works with Writable, how teachers can plan lessons and find connections to product, activities, and materials within the system.”
Accessing real-time data
With HMH solutions, Galveston teachers also had access to various high-quality assessments, like formative assessments, which could be given along the way to fill in any gaps and address any challenges. HMH weekly assessments and module tests provided teachers with real-time data, and in turn, teachers were able to provide students with individualized feedback.
Teachers and principals have both benefited from HMH assessments, as noted by Dr. Post, “ With HMH exams, the weekly assessments and the module test, teachers have access to high-quality instructional assessments that give real-time data, so they can give the feedback to kids. The feedback from principals and teachers has been overwhelmingly positive about how we are using those assessments and the data that come with it.”
Additionally, Galveston ISD used NWEA's MAP Growth to administer interim assessments. The MAP Growth data and reports provided teachers with the tools to target student needs and identify what next steps to take. The information from MAP Growth guided intervention and small-group instruction as well as after school tutoring.
At the district leader level, Desiree Monges, Galveston ISD district literacy and writing specialist, found MAP Growth to be a very powerful tool that gave insight on how to prepare for end-of-year state assessments. “That magic of all of the data, what it tells us mid-year, it matches up with what state assessment is going to look like. Getting that [interim], that mid-year assessment and really seeing, ‘Oh my goodness, we really need to focus on that.’ We're seeing that growth come end of year and [on] those state assessments.”
That magic of all of the data, what it tells us mid-year, it matches up with what state assessment is going to look like.
Galveston ISD district literacy and writing specialist
Conducting instructional rounds
To effectively implement the integrated solutions, Galveston ISD leaders wanted to have their boots on the ground and meet with principals, instructional coaches, teachers across the district. They attended professional learning community (PLC) meetings and made their way into classrooms to aid with implementation. Through these instructional rounds, leaders could see what was working and teachers share with leaders how they wanted to be supported through the implementation process.
Embracing evolving AI tools in the classroom
Galveston educators embraced the technology behind HMH solutions, particularly the AI features in Writable, and say it was key to achieving their desired growth. With Writable’s AI feedback, Galveston teachers were able address students’ needs and get back instructional time. The AI feedback feature would pinpoint areas of improvement in students’ writing. Teachers could then choose to agree or disagree with the AI comments to provide students with actionable and personalized insights on their writing. This proved to save time both in grading and revising students’ work. As a result, Galveston ISD teachers had more time for instruction. Teachers used the AI-powered feedback to guide writing lessons and lead one-on-one conferencing. During these conferences, teachers were able to discuss with students what to work on and together set writing goals.
Learn how AI-powered Writable saved Galveston teachers time and motivated Galveston students to become better writers.
Samantha Boddie, a third-grade teacher, says that thanks to Writable she didn’t have to spend as much time on grading. She could give students feedback quicker and have more time for one-on-one conferences. “When students have that feedback, I can walk around the room and talk to them about what it means and what they can do rather than be stuck behind my desk looking at their papers.”
Additionally, the AI features opened doors for students to confidently develop their writing skills and enhance their craft. Galveston ISD students found that Writable made writing more enjoyable as it provided guidance on how to organize their work. One student stated that Writable helped them “express myself and my personality within my writing.” Teachers also noticed that Writable’s AI feedback encouraged and engaged students throughout the writing process. Fourth-grade teacher Leyyci Torres noted that the AI feedback uplifted rather than discouraged students. “ I just love the fact that AI always starts with the positive feedback. They always lean towards like, ‘You might want to try this later on, keep up the good work.’ So, I really like the fact that it motivates them.”
I just love the fact that AI always starts with the positive feedback.
Fourth-grade teacher
Real results with integrated solutions
Galveston schools that implemented HMH solutions with fidelity saw tremendous growth as early as midyear. By the time of the state assessment, the district’s scores were above and beyond the state and regional averages for third and fourth grade. Some teachers even tripled their state scores. And throughout the Galveston ISD schools there was in fact a reduction of zeros on the STAAR writing assessment, just as district leaders intended.
HMH Solutions prepared students for the Texas state assessments. The STAAR writing assessment used AI to grade responses as part of a hybrid scoring system, much like Writable. Third-grade teacher Samantha Boddie attributed her class’s success and familiarity with working with AI to Writable, “When it came to our STAAR scores, we didn't have a single kid make a zero in my class. And I feel like I owe that to Writable. They blew it out of the water.”
When it came to our STAAR scores, we didn't have a single kid make a zero in my class. And I feel like I owe that to Writable.
Third-grade teacher
Galveston ISD hopes to see even further growth among its schools. To continue that journey, Dr. Jeff Post trusts in the partnership with HMH to achieve that. “ We want as many students as possible to have access to high-quality education and to be at the best campuses. We are committed to growing our lowest-performing campus to be right up at the top with our highest-performing campuses. We need the partnerships that we've developed with HMH, for example, to be able to do that.”
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Learn more about how NWEA and HMH offer integrated solutions to ensure growth for all students.
Discover best practices for integrating AI in the classroom.
