Breaking the Barrier: Implementing an Innovative

Vision Against the OddsBy

Dr. Ruben AlejandroWeslaco ISD Superintendent

Overview21st Century Skills

Why are 21st Century Skill Critical?

20th Century vs. 21st Century

Demographics

Vision

Initiatives

Recognitions

Future

Why?

CreateP

rob

lem

-Solv

ing

Access

Media-Literacy

Adapt

Info

rmati

on

Lit

era

cy

Com

mu

nic

ati

on

Innovation

Global Awareness

Interactive-Communication

Leadership Social-Skills

Team

work

Higher-Order ThinkingInte

rpers

on

al S

kills

Self-DirectedTechnological Literacy

Collaboration

Socia

l R

esp

on

sib

ilit

y

Civic Responsibility

Self-Expression

21st CenturySkills

Self-Expression

PersonalResponsibility

Relevance

Econ

om

ic L

itera

cy Inventive

Thinking

Infl

uen

ce

Inte

rpre

t

Meaning

Multicultural

Literacy

Evaluate

Fle

xib

ilit

y

20th Century vs.

21st Century

20th Century vs. 21st Century Classroom

20th Century vs. 21st Century Teacher

Teacher Centered

Content Knowledge

Classroom Manageme

nt

Ditto/Copy Machine

Overhead Projector

Twitter

Blogs

PLC/PLN

Community

Curriculum

Wikis

Multimedia

Resources E-

Learning Platforms

Required Skills for the 21st Century

Educator

Student Centere

d

Required Skills for the 20th Century

Educator

DemographicsWeslaco ISD is located in Hidalgo County in deep South Texas, just a few miles from the Rio Grande

River and a 45 minute drive from the Gulf of Mexico.

Mexico

United States

Gulf o

f M

exic

o

Demographics Hidalgo County has a 35% poverty rate which is one of the highest

poverty rates in the nation with the national average at 14.5% (2013). Hidalgo County’s unemployment rate of 9.6% is high when

compared to the national average at 7.4% (2013).

Our diversity has shaped our district’s vision of looking at The Whole Child, The Whole World, The Whole Universe.

The city of Weslaco has a diverse community with many immigrants, professionals, Spanish-speaking families, and affluent families. Weslaco ISD has nearly 18,000 students of which: 98.2% are Hispanic 85.7% are Economically Disadvantaged 57.4% are classified as At-Risk 26.6% are classified as English Language Learners 10.2% are classified as Migrant 8.2% are classified as Special Ed 4% are classified as Mobile

VISION

“WISD students are empowered 21st century learners with effective communication, critical-thinking, and problem solving skills they can adapt for success in higher education and the diverse global market-place. Students are engaged in learning through real-world opportunities that extend beyond the classroom and the school day. All WISD staff members are committed to facilitating and inspiring student learning and creativity;

designing and developing digital-age learning experiences; and modeling digital-age work, citizenship, and responsible learning byengaging in

continuous professional growth

and leadership.”

Leadership CommitteesStudent Advisory Committee

One representative per campusMeet once a month

Parental Advisory CommitteeOne representative per campusMeet once a month

Teacher Advisory CommitteeOne representative per campusMeet once a month

BYOD InitiativeBring Your Own Device (BYOD)

Cell phonesTabletsLaptopsOther devices

Transition to 21st Century

Instructional Technology Initiative

Google Apps for Education (GAFE)

Digital Storytelling

Project Based Learning (PBL)

Flipped/Blended Learning

E-learning Platforms (24/7 learning)Google ClassroomMoodleEdmodo

Professional Development Initiative

Professional Development on technologyAdministrators

Book Study 21st Century Skills Change the Culture, Change the Game Creating Innovators The Leader in Me

TeachersCounselors LibrariansVision Team

Professional Development Initiative

Professional Development on technologySupport Staff

ParaprofessionalsCustodial DepartmentEnergy Management DepartmentWarehouse DepartmentMaintenance DepartmentSafety & Security DepartmentFood Services DepartmentTransportation Department

Tech Day InitiativeDistrict staff provided training on

digital integration in the instructional processClassroom usePersonal useApps for Apple, Android, & ChromeGoogle Apps for EducationFlipped/Blended LearningProject Based LearningDigital Storytelling

Tech Night InitiativeStudents showcase to parents how they use technology as an instructional support to make real world connections through engaged personalized learning in the classroom.

Weslaco Reads InitiativeMyOn Zero to 3 Weslaco Reads

31 Day Cares3 Hidalgo County Head StartPublic LibraryKnapp Medical Center

Pediatrics Obstetrics and Gynecology

RecognitionsDistrict Showcased by News Media

ABC affiliate KRGV-TV Channel 5CBS affiliate KGBT-TV Channel 4NBC affiliate KVEO-TV Channel 23Telemundo affiliate KTLM Channel 40District cable channel, KWES

RecognitionsDistrict Recognized by Political

FiguresBYOD district initiative

Texas gubernatorial candidate Greg Abbott, Texas Attorney General, visited Weslaco ISD in March 2014

Mr. Abbott visited Sam Houston Elementary where he witnessed our initiative in place

Mr. Abbott’s visit was featured on all local networks

Mr. Abbott’s visit was mentioned at the ATPE’s Annual Conference

Mr. Abbott mentioned his visit at the TASB Annual Conference what he observed at Weslaco ISD

RecognitionsDistrict Recognized by

Political FiguresBYOD district initiative

Filemon Vela, U.S. Congressman- Texas 34th Congressional District Representative, visited Weslaco ISD in March 2013

Mr. Vela visited F.D. Roosevelt Elementary and Central Middle School where he witnessed our initiative in place

Mr. Vela’s visit was featured on all local networks

RecognitionsDistrict Recognized by

Political Figures BYOD district initiative

Michael L. Williams, Texas Commissioner of Education, and Ruben Cortez, Jr., State Board of Education Member District 2, visited Weslaco ISD in May 2014

Mr. Williams and Mr. Cortez toured the landscape of Weslaco, TX where he saw the type of community Weslaco ISD children call home

Mr. Williams and Mr. Cortez’s visit was featured on all local networks

RecognitionsPublications

Latino Education Magazine published an article in the Fall 2013 edition p. 23 and 30

Texas Scholars Magazine ran an article “Weslaco ISD; Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)” in December 2013 pp. 12-13

On February 26, 2014, I was featured in the Mid-Valley Town Crier, a local newspaper.

What are we preparing our students for?

UTRGV Medical School

SpaceX Alyssa CarsonMars One

Appendix The Vision Videos

The Vision Implementing the Vision Part 1, Part 2 Assessing the Vision Part 1, Part 2 Future (In progress)

Town Hall Meetings 1st Town Hall Meeting Community: Part 1, Part 2 2nd Town Hall Meeting - Small Business Partnership 3rd Town Hall Meeting - Religious Community (In progress)

Bilingual Tech Fair

Weslaco Reads with MyOn

Filemon Vela, U.S. Congressman

Michael Williams, Texas Commissioner of Education

Greg Abbott, Texas State Attorney General, Gubernatorial Candidate Part 1, Part 2

(www.wisd.us) Weslaco ISD Website

21st Century Students “Going Where No Man Has Gone

Before”

Dr. Ruben AlejandroSuperintendent@wisd.us(956) 969-6503