by Nicole Bradford
More priority-based budgeting and detailed reviews are among the recommendations of a Pearland ISD curriculum management audit.
This year, Curriculum Management Solutions Inc. conducted an audit that included examining more than 1,000 documents, including student work, plus looking at 3,264 survey responses, 127 interviews, and 361 classroom visits.
“This is not something we’re going to sit on a shelf,” Superintendent Larry Berger said. “This is something we are actively looking at, because Pearland ISD is a good district, but how do we get great?”
The 393-page report included several key recommendations for the district, including a greater definition of employee reviews and additional professional learning.
“My opinion after being a superintendent for 35 years is most employees do the best job of which they are capable every day, based on their current knowledge and skill,” said lead auditor Dr. Cole Pugh. “If we want them to do better, we have to provide them with training, resources and follow-up support to make that happen.”
More details during the planning process at the board level are also recommended.
“Goals could be more measurable. There could be more detailed implementation strategies,” Pugh said.
The district would benefit, the audit states, from a board policy supporting “instructional monitoring.”
The report also recommended “performance-driven budgeting,” which requires budget managers to prioritize funding by producing budgets at 100 percent, one with cuts and one with added funds. This not only gives stakeholders a better understanding of the budget, Pugh said, but also, some funding may be shifted from low priority to higher priority, the need for additional funding may be revealed, and resources will be focused on priorities.
Pearland ISD requested the curriculum audit, which is not regulatory or connected to federal or state government agencies.
“Did ask for our own pain? Yes, we did, because we want to be the best we can be for the students in the community we serve,” Berger said. “We’re not hiding from anything.”
