Pros
Classroom supplies are provided Unlimited copies High structure and communication Decent pay
Cons
IDEA Public Schools revolves around testing and data. Students are given bi-weekly assessments from the district in all subjects. Multiple mock exams are given for STAAR and AP tests. All of this testing requires frequent alternative schedules and pull-outs, which take away from instructional time. The district does not account for this lost time in the curriculum and pacing guide. I've found there is a lack of communication between the district and campus. Work-life balance is not valued in this organization. Teachers are expected to be on campus from 7:00-4:30 PM, not including meetings during lunch and after school. 13 hour workdays are not uncommon due to after-school events. Employees receive work-related text messages at all hours of the day, night, and on weekends. Conference periods are used for check-ins with managers rather than grading and lesson planning. My manager frequently scheduled meetings on Saturdays. If you have a family this can be difficult to balance, and is unsustainable in the long run. In the classroom, students spend the majority of their time working silently and independently on worksheets and exit tickets. They do not have access to technology like in other districts. At my campus, there was no streamlined process for checking out a set of laptops, and no computer lab or library. The RRC was often being used for testing purposes. The direct instruction model works for preparing kids to pass a pencil-and-paper test, however students need practice collaborating and problem-solving in order to be prepared for their future careers.
