Midland Independent School District has been awarded Further Faster funding to strengthen its districtwide performance management system, a key initiative aimed at accelerating student outcomes and campus improvement.
The grant will support the implementation of the district’s Performance Management Toolkit, developed in partnership with the ILO Group. According to a news release, this toolkit aligns leadership, teaching and learning, student services, and school improvement efforts under a unified strategy. District leaders say the initiative is designed to ensure consistency across all campuses, creating a cohesive system of support and accountability. Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Howard said the work will enhance how the district monitors and responds to performance, reinforcing its goal of increasing the number of students enrolled in A- and B-rated schools and preparing graduates for college, careers, or military service according to a news release.
That focus on outcomes is reflected in programs like Early College High School, located on the Midland College campus. The program allows students to earn up to 60 college credit hours and an associate degree alongside their high school diploma at no cost, with a focus on serving at-risk and first-generation college students. Through a collaborative model, students receive academic and personal support from both high school and college faculty, helping them navigate rigorous coursework in a collegiate setting according to a news release.
The program’s impact is evident in both alumni and current students who benefit from early exposure to college expectations, mentorship opportunities, and career preparation. As Midland ISD continues to expand its performance management system with support from the Further Faster grant, leaders say initiatives like Early College High School will remain central to delivering measurable results and expanding access to high-quality educational pathways the news release noted.
The Midland Independent School District aims to enhance student achievement and support diverse groups through targeted educational and assistance programs according to the official website. The district operates under the direction of Superintendent Stephanie Howard, an educator with a doctorate and experience in other districts according to the official website. It collaborates with the Midland Education Foundation to finance initiatives in academics, fine arts, robotics, STEM (science, technology, engineering and mathematics), history and other areas according to the official website, providing educational services through partnerships focused on these subjects according to the official website. The district functions as a public education entity overseeing programs aligned with state guidelines according to the official website, marking key developments since Midland County’s establishment in 1885 when its original one-room schoolhouse was founded according to the official website.