Education is a cornerstone for transforming young lives. At TJJD, we recruit certified teachers and administrators and associated school staff to provide the youth with a first-class education. We also employ Education Reentry Liaisons, who provide ongoing training on youth engagement, instructional tools, and the use of technology in the classroom. We consult with educational experts at universities and education service centers to ensure that research-based practices are used to address reading and math skills and content and elective courses.
Schools at TJJD operate year-round educational programs for youth up through age 19 who’ve been committed to TJJD secure facilities. Middle school youth are placed in grade-appropriate courses. High school youth participate in developing a four-year graduation plan, and are placed into courses so they can progress in an accelerated program. Youth have the opportunity to earn credits toward high school graduation on the foundation high school program, earn dual credits, explore career options, earn industry certifications, and/or obtain a Texas Certificate of High School Equivalency (TxCHSE), formerly known as GED. All administrators, teachers and teacher aides are state certified. Youth committed to TJJD function, on average, four to five years below expected grade level for their ages. Nonetheless, they participate in all required state assessments as well as the nationally standardized Test of Adult Basic Education (TABE).
Assessment
Upon admission to TJJD Orientation and Assessment, each youth receives individualized achievement testing and completes a vocational aptitude and interest inventory. As appropriate, youth also receive psychological and language proficiency evaluations. In addition, each student completes standardized testing in reading and math that determines the instructional needs of the student. Diagnostic assessment continues as students demonstrate their proficiency in the classroom, and students who are eligible for special services are appropriately identified and served. Education goals are incorporated in each student’s Individual Case Plan (ICP). Assessments include:
Curriculum
TJJD utilizes Apex Learning, an online digital course platform that is aligned to the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). Courses are scaffolded and offer embedded supports. In addition, teachers have access to state adopted textbooks and TEKS Resource System (TEKS RS), a comprehensive TEKS-aligned scope and sequence for content areas. TEKS RS provides vertical alignment, year-at-a-glance (by six weeks), instructional focus documents, rubrics, assessments, and other resources.
Funding (Federal & State)
Title I, Part D Subpart 1
Funds are used to provide supplemental training, educational equipment and materials (including educational software, library books, etc.), supplemental Education staff (10.75 current positions funded), and Capital Outlay projects (including computers, computer labs, and wireless infrastructure upgrades) to improve educational, transitional, and re-entry outcomes.
Title II, Part A
Funds are used to provide supplemental training for campus leadership and supplemental professional development opportunities for educational staff, and to fund 25% of our Professional Development Coordinator’s position.
IDEA B
Funds are used for activities to improve student performance and program and service effectiveness for students with disabilities. Funds are specifically used to provide diagnostic, counseling, speech and other Special Education services for youth housed in state facilities, to provide Special Education training for staff, and to fund five current Education staff positions.
Perkins
Carl Perkins Grant Funds are to improve, expand and modernize CTE programs. Funds are used to purchase supplies, tools, equipment, professional development and student certifications for CTE programs.
IMAT (Instructional Materials & Technology Allotment)
Funds used to purchase materials adopted by the State Board of Education. The majority of funding is used for purchasing textbooks and textbook-related materials according to textbook adoption schedules, with other funds used for additional materials related to classroom instruction.
General Revenue
Funds are used to operate year-round educational programs at schools for youth ages 10-19 who’ve been committed to TJJD facilities. Primary use of funds is for TJJD Education Services employees, which include Principals, Teachers, Administration and other education staff, as well as the administrative and physical costs of running five schools.
Special Education
TJJD schools provide child-centered educational and related services to meet the needs of students with disabilities in accordance with applicable federal and state laws and regulations. Students are placed in the least restrictive environment and are learning alongside their peers. Students who qualify for special education have an Individualized Education Program (IEP) and are provided with an annual review of the IEP and progress reports on the same timely basis as general education students to ensure progress. Students may arrive at TJJD already identified with a disability and thus receive special education and/or related services. Students may also be referred for an initial evaluation after enrollment when a disability is suspected.
Approximately 30 percent of youth in TJJD are identified for Special Education services.
Special Education Resources | SPEDTex
The Special Education Information Center (SPEDTex) provides resources and interactive features for increasing family awareness of disabilities and special education processes, with the goal of improving partnerships between schools and families.
Contact information:
Phone: 1-855-773-3839
Email: inquire@spedtex.org
Live Chat: www.spedtex.org
Link to Legal Framework Lone Star School District.
If you have questions, please contact:
Diana Nelson, Special Education Coordinator – diana.nelson@tjjd.texas.gov
Elizabeth Donaldson, Education Specialist for Special Populations – elizabeth.donaldson@tjjd.texas.gov
Reading Program
As required by Education Code §30.106, students are enrolled based on their reading assessment scores and are taught strategies to improve their reading levels using proven programs and methods. The reading program provides intensive instruction to identified students and their individual progress is monitored and evaluated regularly. Students in the specialized reading program receive individualized, targeted reading instruction in the five major essential components of effective reading: phonemic awareness, phonics, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension. In addition, teachers in all content areas have a 20-minute, content-specific reading time to incorporate appropriate reading methodologies to support their students.
Dyslexia
In keeping with state and federal laws, TJJD has a Dyslexia Intervention Plan as well as trained educators at each campus to assess, diagnose, and provide instruction to students with dyslexia. TJJD uses Reading Horizons, an online reading program with explicit phonics instruction, to support students with dyslexia and related disorders.
Emergent Bilingual/English as a Second Language/English Language Learners
TJJD provides ESL/ELL services to students according to the English Language Proficiency Standards (ELPS), including:
- Identifying ESL students
- Administrating the assessment for listening, speaking, reading and writing (TELPAS) annually
- Exiting students from the ESL/ELL program once they show language proficiency
- Ensuring each campus has an ESL coordinator who supports ESL/ELL students and trains other teachers in ESL learning strategies
Approximately 12 percent of youth in TJJD are identified as limited English proficient (LEP).
Systems of Support
Multi-tiered system of supports (MTSS) framework encompasses supports for the whole child, and considers social/emotional, behavior, and academic supports. TJJD’s MTSS includes;
- The Texas Model: trauma-informed classroom approach that utilize the principles of Trust-Based Relational Intervention to help build positive connections with students and teach regulation skills to improve social/emotional wellness.
- MAPS (Making a Plan for Success): school intervention designed to be a safe place, away from the classroom, for students who exhibit the need for more focused interventions to help them regulate, make a plan for successful return to the classroom, then return to class with a commitment to follow the plan, including doing any necessary repair with appropriate staff.
- Positive Behavioral Supports (PBS): proactive approach that includes 3 levels (Primary, Secondary, and Tertiary), and supports The Texas Model in establishing the behavioral supports and social culture needed for all students to have the opportunity to achieve social, emotional, and academic growth/success.
- The Primary Level (Tier 1) contains school-wide practices to identify, teach, and acknowledge expected behaviors.
- The Secondary Level (Tier 2) includes more intensive interventions/supports for youth who continue to exhibit high levels of challenging behaviors, and are characterized by increased frequency and intensity of support/monitoring.
- The Third Level (Tier 3) is an individualized approach for youth who exhibit chronic challenging behaviors or significantly dangerous or disruptive behaviors.
- Response to Intervention (RTI): Three-tiered approach of academically focused interventions designed to monitor and improve academic growth/performance using data-based decision-making.
- Tier 1 is school/class wide and is curriculum adopted by the school, with periodic assessments to look at student progress and identify at-risk students not making progress.
- Tier 2 is small group, targeted interventions using more intensive instruction designed to build specific skills students need to continue their academic progress.
- Tier 3 is more individualized interventions even more intensive than Tier 2, and may include more focused evaluation of the student. Students who do not make progress in Tier 3 may be considered for special education services.
Career & Technical Education (CTE)
Career and technical education (CTE) programs offer a sequence of courses that provides students with coherent and rigorous content to help students build knowledge and skills for further education and careers in current or emerging professions. Instructors are required to have a teaching certification in at least one of the areas under CTE. Once we hire a CTE teacher with a specific certification, we must choose a CTE course that is aligned with the instructor’s certification and experience. Where possible we have sponsored training for CTE teachers in order to change or enhance a course. Some of the current CTE programs are:
| Business Information Management | Construction Technology | Food and Natural Resources |
| Horticulture | Career Exploration | Automotive Collision & Repair |
| Principles of Manufacturing | Principles of Technology | Health & Human Services |
| Principle of Agriculture | Principle of Construction | Money Matters |
| Automotive Basics | Welding | Principle of Ag Mechanics |
Certifications for Students
To help aid in preparing students to be on level with other peers in their community or to help prepare them for employment we work to identify industry certifications that will align with the TEA course being taught. The requirements of the certification have to be those that TJJD students have reasonable time and skills to achieve and be in an occupational area, students have a reasonable chance of obtaining employment in or be such that it will support obtaining employment in general, such as the technology and OSHA certifications. Some types of certifications earned are:
| MOS PowerPoint – Microsoft Office | Texas Nursery & Landscaping Association (TNLA) |
| MOS Word Core – Microsoft Office | C-Tech – Telecommunications |
| Adobe Certified Associate – Illustrator | C-Tech – Fiber Optics |
| IC3 – Digital Literacy | C-Tech – Copper |
| Forklift Operator | OSHA 10 |
| NCCER – Core Curriculum | ServSafe Certification – Food Handling |
| NCCER – Carpentry Level 1 | American Weld Society (AWS) |
| NCCER – Welding Level 1 | GMAW – MIG Fillet Horizontal 2F Cert AWS D1 |
| MACS – Mobile Air Conditioning Service | SMAW – Tack Weld 2F Cert AWS D1.1 |
Sports
Two TJJD schools, Gainesville SS and Giddings SS, offer opportunities for students to participate in team sports, such as, basketball, track and football through membership with the Texas Association of Private and Parochial Schools. The purpose of TAPPS is to organize, to stimulate, to encourage and promote academic, athletic and fine arts programs in effort to foster good fellowship and true sportsmanship.
College/Dual Credit
Youth who have graduated or completed a TxCHSE and meet college readiness criteria, may also pursue college credits through distance learning with partnering community colleges. Additionally, workforce and academic dual credit opportunities are offered when students meet eligibility standards set by the college. Current partnering community college is Blinn College.
Transition Support
Education Reentry Liaisons assist youth with employment and college readiness, how to advocate for themselves, provide guidance in applying for financial aid, and applicable scholarships or grants. Youth have the opportunity to register in WorkInTexas.com, how to identify and connect with other community resources and learn how to use social media to appropriately job search.
Texas Education Agency information on TJJD schools
TEA District Name: Lone Star School District TEA County-District Number: 227-622
| TEA Campus Numbers | TEA School Name | Facility, City |
|---|---|---|
| 004 | Lone Star High School South | Evins Regional Juvenile Center, Edinburg TX |
| 005 | Lone Star High School North | Gainesville State School, Gainesville TX |
| 006 | Lone Star High School Southeast | Giddings State School, Giddings TX |
| 008 | Lone Star High School Central | McLennan County State Juvenile Correctional Facility, Mart TX |
| 009 | Lone Star High School West | Ron Jackson State Juvenile Correctional Complex, Brownwood TX |
Documents
Contact Information
Shelley McKinley
Superintendent of Schools
(512) 490-7726
shelley.mcKinley@tjjd.texas.gov
Robert Fischer
Assistant Superintendent of Schools
robert.fischer@tjjd.texas.gov