The goal of IDEA Academy schools is to prepare students for success in our rigorous College Prep environment beginning in 6th grade.
In order to achieve this ambitious goal, IDEA Public Schools has restructured the elementary school program into a new academic program called BetterIDEA.
BetterIDEA is made up of two components: the new core curriculum and the hybrid-learning component that provides individualized learning for all students.
Direct Instruction (DI) powers IDEA’s new core curriculum. DI is a model that emphasizes carefully-planned lessons focused on learning in small increments. It also focuses instruction around clearly-defined teaching tasks. DI is based on the theory that by using clear instruction and teaching to mastery, teachers can accelerate learning for all students – high performers as well students with learning disabilities.
Using the DI approach, students are placed in flexible, homogeneous groups for reading, language, and math. Students are expected to score 90% or higher on daily and weekly assessments. Skills are taught in a way that builds upon previous learning; 85% of each lesson reviews or applies previously taught skills and 15% of instruction is introducing new skills. Students advance through the program only after they have demonstrated mastery of the concepts. Students who show exceptional progress can fast-cycle through lessons if they show continued mastery of concepts. Students are individually assessed every five to 10 lessons, and their progress is meticulously tracked by the teacher.
The hybrid-learning component of our BetterIDEA program consists of two elements focused on delivering a rigorous individualized learning experience for each student:
2115 W. PIKE BLVD
WESLACO, TX 78596
956-377-8000
FAX: 956-447-3796
2800 South IH 35, Suite 265
Austin, Texas 78704
512-822-4959
813 N. Kansas St.
Suite 100
El Paso, TX 79902
915-888-4600
7035 San Pedro Ave.
San Antonio, Texas 78216
210-239-4959
804 Main Street
Suite D
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
225-571-5910
5001 Nebraska Ave, Ste A
Tampa, FL 33603
(813) 467-3004
As required by Title IX, IDEA Public Schools does not (and is required not to) discriminate on the basis of sex in its educational programs or activities. This non-discrimination requirement applies to admission to and employment with IDEA Public Schools. Inquiries into issues related to Title IX may be referred to IDEA’s Title IX Coordinator(s) (identified below), to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights of the Department of Education, or both. IDEA’s Title IX Coordinator is: Martin Winchester, Chief Human Assets Officer, 2115 W. Pike Blvd., Weslaco, Texas 78596, (956) 377-8000, martin.winchester@ideapublicschools.org.
IDEA Public Schools National Board Members: Al Lopez – Chair, Xenia Garza – Vice Chair, Ed Rivera – Treasurer, Ryan Vaughan – Secretary, Michael Burke, Reba Cardenas McNair, David Earl, David Handley, Erich Holmsten, Bill Martin, Saam Zarrabi, Collin Sewell
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