Education
Education
BY RACHEL LELAND
BY HALEY VELASCO
Alvin ISD launching esports curriculum
Friendswood ISD OKs handbook updates Clarification has been added to Friendswood ISD’s 2024-25 student handbook on topics includ- ing library materials and technology after the board of trustees approved the newest version at its July 15 meeting. The overview The 2024-25 FISD student handbook now clarifies that parents will be the primary decision makers regarding their students’ access to library material. This is the first year this clarification was added, according to district documents. FISD follows the Texas State Library and Archive Commission’s standards for school library collection development, according to district documents. The 2024-25 FISD student handbook also includes a new policy on student data and safety in regards to technology.
Election filing begins for Friendswood ISD Filing for Friendswood ISD’s Nov. 5 board of trustees election began July 20 and will continue through Aug. 19, officials said. What you need to know Positions, 1, 2, 3 and 4 are set to appear on the ballot for the Nov. 5 election, according to district documents. These positions are held by Laura Seifert, Niki Rhodes, Rebecca Hillenburg and Tony Hopkins, respectively, according to the district’s website. Applications can be filed through email at tlocklear@fisdk12.net through Aug. 19 or in person at 302 Laurel Drive, Friendswood. The last day to register to vote is Oct. 7. Early voting will be from Oct. 21-Nov. 1. As of Aug. 6, eight candidates have filed to run in November, officials said.
New additions
What else?
Library
The curriculum is based on the Texas Education Agency’s graphic design and multimedia arts program. Although this program doesn’t specifically focus on esports, the school district plans to incorporate that focus, AISD officials said. Mark McMahon, Manvel High School associate principal, who sponsors the high school’s esports club, said he hopes that, in addition to preparing students for careers in gaming and technology, the skills they acquire can prepare them for other high- performance careers, such as air traffic controllers. “It’s actually amazing to watch how they work together to communicate to be able to do this activity,” McMahon said. “A lot of those skills just translate around to other high- performance professions.”
Parents are the primary decision-makers regarding their students’ access to library material.
Esports, where players participate in multiplayer video game competitions, has transformed from a pastime for gamers into a lucrative career path—and school districts like Alvin ISD are preparing students for it. Beginning in the 2024-25 school year, Alvin ISD high school students can participate in an esports curriculum through the district’s graphic design and multimedia arts program, district officials confirmed. The four-year curriculum will teach students about content creation, esports analytics, digital design and multimedia skills, said Brandy Johanson, director of career and technical education for AISD. The industry’s total market revenue has nearly doubled over the last four years, according to gaming data firm Newzoo. That growth has created myriad jobs and roles, including tournament organizers, talent managers,
Global esports market revenue
$1.87B
$1.38B
Technology
$1.14B
$1B
FISD will require direct parental consent for student use of software meant to conduct various assessments. FISD will require direct and informed parental consent for a student’s use of software, other than software excluded from the consent requirement by law. FISD will install a filter that blocks pornographic or obscene materials or applications before transferring an electronic device to a student. FISD will block or filter students’ internet access to pictures that are obscene or contain child pornography.
FY 2020-21
FY 2021-22 FY 2022-23 FY 2023-24
SOURCE: NEWZOO/COMMUNITY IMPACT
coaches, sponsors and game analysts. AISD currently has 26 students enrolled in the program’s first course. “It ... gives [students] something that they’re actually interested in and that they can study in school,” Johanson said.
SOURCE: FRIENDSWOOD ISD/COMMUNITY IMPACT
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