Case Study: Garland Independent School District boosts EL achievement with Ellevation

EL Students at Sam Houston Middle School Outperform District Peers on Standardized Tests

Garland Independent School District’s Sam Houston Middle School serves a large population of English Learners in a high-need environment, with more than 500 ELs, 80% economically disadvantaged students, and many at risk of dropping out. The district partnered with Ellevation, using Ellevation Strategies to help teachers monitor student progress, strengthen instruction, and better support EL achievement.

With Ellevation, Sam Houston built campus teams, embedded data-driven instruction into PLCs and PD, and promoted a consistent focus on EL support through activities, newsletters, walkthroughs, and peer observation. As a result, ELs improved their STAAR Approaches Grade Level or Above scores by 6 points in math and 4 points in reading from 2017 to 2018, outperforming district gains, and the school earned state distinctions for academic growth and closing the gaps.

Garland Independent School District

Don Hernandez

Principal