Hard work, good IDEAs make things happen

 It started with an idea back in the late ‘90s.

Two teachers who were part of Teach for America were placed in Donna ISD.

JoAnn Gonzales and Tom Torkelson soon learned that our public school system had some very real educational deficiencies, so they decided to do something about it.

They traveled to schools recognized for best practices in education and created a new school incorporating those practices. Originally the school was part of Donna ISD, but in 2000, the state granted them a charter. The result was IDEA Academy.

This school experienced such great success that they became a public charter school system, IDEA Public Schools (IPS). IPS now has campuses in three cities, with two more campuses opening in 2008-2009.

I recently had a chance to meet with Matt Randazzo, chief development officer for IPS. Matt had a difficult time trying to harness his enthusiasm as he told me all of IPS' good news.

IDEA Academy and College Preparatory, the original campus in Donna, now has grades Pre-K through 12. All 25 graduates of the Class of 2007, the system's first graduating class, were accepted into a four-year college or university and are completing their first collegiate year this month.

QUEST in McAllen/Edinburg and FRONTIER in Brownsville will soon complete their second year. Next year, both of these campuses will have Pre-K through fourth and grades six through 10. By 2010, they will have Pre-K through 12.

In August, IDEA Mission and IDEA San Benito will be opening their doors to Valley students in kinder and grades six through eight. Within five years, they will offer Pre-K through 12.

Because IPS is a public charter, students do not pay tuition. IPS is currently going through a system-wide International Baccalaureate certification. IPS is known for its culture of high expectations and academic excellence. By eighth grade, all students take physics and algebra. System-wide, students are taught Spanish. The IPS culture of respect is cultivated between school staff, parents and students. "Our school culture is what sets us apart," Matt told me.

Students who attend IPS wear polo shirts that read "No Excuses," and this motto is put into practice every day at all schools within the system.

IPS is growing for good reason. Results speak for themselves. They have been the recipient of several high-dollar grants from the Gates Foundation and other important entities because of the academic success in their schools. Their approach is called the Seven R's:

Rigor-following the one-and-only IDEA track-the college track

Relevance-connecting classroom learning to success in college, career and citizenship

Relationships/respect-no impersonal institutions here-IPS promotes intimate learning communities

Responsibility-students commit to high standards of personal conduct and academic effort

Reflection-meaningful, high quality lessons with swift and effective intervention for struggling students

Results-success defined by significant, measurable gains in student achievement

Real time-no shortcuts; orderly and focused classrooms ensures optimal student learning

This year, 2,700 students are enrolled in IPS schools. Next year, Matt estimates they will educate 4,100 students Valleywide. JoAnn's and Tom's brilliant IDEA has resulted in 2,700 students living the 7 R's, with many more to come.

Chris Ardis is a teacher with the McAllen school district. To reach her, send e-mail to cardis1022@aol.com.