CIS of Texas Evaluation Fiinal Technical Report - TEA - Home ...

provides dental care. Flu shots and immunizations are among the medical services
that are coordinated by CIS of Northeast Texas.
• Parental and Family Involvement. Although the school-community relationships
are good, school personnel and CIS staff would like to see more parental
involvement in the schools. When asked if they are aware of opportunities to become
involved, most parents stated that they knew of such opportunities and had been
invited by CIS staff to participate in activities. A person concerned about parents’
lack of participation in school activities stated, “This lack of parental involvement
doesn’t set a good example for the students. If they actually saw their parents being
involved in what is going on at school, they would value it more. I think the kids
would try harder.” CIS will continue to develop plans to interest parents and increase
their participation in whole school and CIS activities.
• Career Awareness/Employment. CIS sponsors a
number of activities designed to increase student
awareness of careers available to them. Among the
major activities are hosting speakers representing a
range of careers, providing students with opportunities
“CIS helps you get ready
for college.”
‐‐ Student
to meet and talk with celebrities, visiting career and technical schools, and
sponsoring a career fair at the school. Students report that these CIS-sponsored
activities have helped them think about going to college and choosing the right job.
• Enrichment. CIS activities designed for enrichment include swimming, camping, and
horseback riding available through a partnership with the Salvation Army, college
visits, participation in 21st Century project activities, and field trips to the zoo, movie
theater, and sporting events.
• Educational Enhancement. CIS students participate in a variety of educational
enhancement opportunities. Some, such as visits to colleges, can also be considered
enrichment activities. Additional educational enhancement activities include
participation in Gear Up, a program for college awareness and preparation;
assistance with TAKS test preparation; tutoring; visits to trade and technical schools;
and participation in academic contests. Students believe that participation in CIS
educational enhancement activities have helped them with grades and with their
performance on TAKS.
Feeder Patterns. CIS management hopes there is continuity of CIS services from
prekindergarten until graduation from high school. CIS staff are familiar with the services offered
at all campuses within the school district and in other communities. Campuses communicate
when students transfer or are promoted to another campus. In addition, staff have meetings at
least twice a month and have opportunities to discuss issues at that time.
Monitoring and Adjustment. Program monitoring and adjustment occur throughout the
school year based on changing student needs or training needs that arise. School
administrators receive a formal progress report annually. However, more regular information
sharing between CIS staff and school administrators takes place informally. Service plans are
reviewed regularly and adjusted as needed.
CISTMS. CISTMS is the information management system that is used to maintain CIS
student information, track CIS participant progress, and create reports for appropriate managers
December 2008
5