Spring Branch ISD Featured News

What would school administrators and counselors do with more time to focus on the needs of their students, families and staff? 

Last school year -- at 12 schools in Spring Branch ISD -- this was made possible with the advent of a new leadership position created to focus on the processes and management of a variety of student assessment programs and data reporting. 

An initial group of 12 Campus Assessment and Instruction Support (CAIS) specialists were hired last summer, and recently celebrated the completion of a year of professional growth and development. 

After a week of startup in July 2020, the group continued to meet twice a month for more in-depth professional development provided by Assessment & Compliance department experts and other district leaders from the Academics division. The cohort expanded their knowledge and expertise in the areas of:

• RtI: Response to Interventions for positive behavioral outcomes
• SSC: System of Care strategies and modeling for behavioral management
• Section 504: Evaluating students with disabilities to provide supports to meet their individual needs
• Local and State Assessments
• Credit by Exam
• College Board PSAT test day
• Data mining and reporting
• Time management, project planning, team building skills, communication, leadership

“The CAIS specialist role establishes assessment leaders on these campuses who also lead processes that connect assessment with instructional supports for students and teachers,” Dr. Keith Haffey, Executive Director of Assessment & Compliance, said.

As part of the campus leadership team, the new specialists assisted principals with preparing for the opening and completion of the 2020-21 school year, and will be integral to preparing school staff for a new school year. 

Four additional schools are adding CAIS specialists to their leadership teams for the 2021-22 school year: Northbrook, Spring Branch, Landrum and Memorial middle schools. Applicants with desired experience and skills are first interviewed by the district CAIS team. Candidates who meet a standard of readiness are then put into a pool for principals to interview. 

Student success is the goal

Cohort 2 CAIS specialists, and those from Cohort 1, will provide leadership for efficient (time saving!) and effective administration of assessments and student support evaluations. The results will help school leaders and staff equip students with supports and motivations needed for positive trajectories in school and beyond.

Seeking excellence

Interested in joining the Spring Branch ISD team? Review job openings and apply here.