Strategic Direction and Performance Management
Balanced Scorecard
2025-2029
The Strategic Direction and Performance Management Balanced Scorecard is a comprehensive framework that aligns Pearland ISD’s mission, vision, and core beliefs with measurable objectives across four key priority areas: Students, Staff, Community, and Finance. It serves as both a strategic roadmap and an accountability tool, ensuring that the district’s actions lead to meaningful outcomes for all stakeholders. The Balanced Scorecard helps the district focus on what matters most, including student learning, safety, strong staff, family engagement, and financial stewardship while tracking progress over time.
This plan uses clearly defined objectives, long-term goals, and progress measures to monitor growth, guide decision-making, and maintain focus on continuous improvement. By integrating both academic and operational strategies into one cohesive structure, the Balanced Scorecard ensures transparency, equity, and data-informed leadership across the district. Each priority area will be monitored by designated district teams and campus leaders, with updates provided to the Board and community.
Beliefs: In Pearland ISD, We Believe…
- Students thrive when they feel valued, empowered, and challenged to reach their highest potential
- Parents and Families are essential partners in student success.
- Staff are value-driven professionals who utilize data and innovative practices to inspire, educate, and empower every student.
- Campus Administrators are committed to prioritizing student growth, safety, and well-being of all.
- The Superintendent and Central Office Staff lead with accessibility, vision, and a spirit of servant leadership.
- The Board of Trustees operates as a collaborative, forward-thinking team, invested in the well-being and future of Pearland ISD.
Mission:
In collaboration with the community, families, and students, Pearland ISD prepares all learners to achieve their highest potential.
Vision:
Empowering every learner with the knowledge, character, and confidence to thrive and lead in an ever-changing global society.
Motto:
Build Pearland Proud
Pearland ISD Strategic Scorecard
Priorities
Glossary of Terms
Priority One: Students
7 Key Components of Core Curriculum: ensure strong instruction by aligning content to standards, setting clear learning objectives, using evidence-based strategies, and engaging all learners, while including differentiation, formative assessment, and culturally responsive practices to support diverse student needs and promote academic success.
CCMR: stands for College, Career, and Military Readiness. It is a Texas accountability measure that shows how well high schools are preparing students for success after graduation.
Circle: is a Texas-approved assessment tool used in pre-K classrooms to check how young children are developing key skills in language, literacy, math, and social-emotional learning.
Component score: is a measure used by the state to evaluate student performance on STAAR tests, giving the most weight to students who achieve at higher levels. It combines the percentages of students who score at Approaches, Meets, and Masters levels into a single score ranging from 0 to 100.
HB 1416: Texas House Bill 1416 (HB 1416), enacted in June 2023, emphasizes targeted tutoring and instructional support to help students catch up academically.
iReady: an educational technology platform that combines adaptive assessments with individualized instruction to help educators identify student needs and tailor their teaching strategies.
MTSS: stands for Multi-Tiered System of Supports. It is a framework used by schools to provide targeted academic, behavioral, and social-emotional support to all students based on their individual needs.
Non-Negotiable Campus Data: key data points every campus is expected to monitor and act upon consistently, such as attendance, academic performance, and discipline, aligned with district goals.
ODS (OnData Suite): is a data analytics platform used by Texas school districts to manage student, staff, financial, and assessment data, supporting data-driven decisions and compliance with reporting requirements.
PBIS Screener: is a brief survey or tool used in schools to help identify students who may need extra support with behavior, emotions, or social skills.
PEARS: Pearland’s Essential and Academic Readiness Skills program provides support for students who require direct, explicit instruction on an alternative curriculum.
Student Connectedness Score: Student Connectedness Score is a 0–100 index that measures how emotionally, socially, and relationally engaged students feel in their school. It combines positive indicators like belonging, supportive relationships, and adult connections, while reversing negative responses such as isolation and non-participation. A higher score reflects a more connected student body and serves as a key measure of campus climate and well-being.
TELPAS: Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) is an annual assessment mandated by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to evaluate the English language proficiency of emergent bilingual (EB) students.
Texas College Bridge: online program designed to help high school juniors and seniors in Texas strengthen their skills in English and math before entering college.
TxKEA: (Texas Kindergarten Entry Assessment) is a state-approved tool used in Texas to measure how ready students are for kindergarten.
Priority Two: Staff
Discretionary Absence: refers to time off for personal reasons not related to illness or emergencies.
District Wellness Culture: refers to the collective environment, practices, and attitudes that support the physical, emotional, and professional well-being of staff. A strong wellness culture promotes trust, balance, support, and a healthy work climate.
Eduphoria: is a web-based platform used by public schools to manage assessments, lesson planning, professional development, and data analysis. It helps educators track student progress, plan instruction, and complete required trainings efficiently.
MOU: stands for Memorandum of Understanding, is a formal written agreement between two or more parties.
Munis: is a financial and human resources management software system developed by Tyler Technologies.
Staff Safety Index Score: is measured through a weighted composite model combining both subjective and objective indicators related to employee safety. This approach provides a balanced metric that reflects staff perceptions, safety preparedness, and incident trends across the district.
TASB: stands for the Texas Association of School Boards. It is a nonprofit organization that supports Texas public school districts by providing services, training, and advocacy.
TIA: stands for Teacher Incentive Allotment, a program created by the Texas Legislature through House Bill 3 to reward highly effective teachers with additional compensation.
Vector: (formerly known as SafeSchools Training) is an online professional development platform.
Priority Three: Community
Community or Business Partner: is an organization that engages in an ongoing, collaborative relationship with Pearland ISD to support student learning, development, or career readiness through shared goals and active participation. Unlike one-time donors, partners contribute time, expertise, resources, or opportunities that directly impact student success.
Parent Engagement Score: is a composite measure based on survey responses that reflect how informed, involved, and connected parents feel to their child’s school and the district. Calculated by averaging normalized ratings across key areas such as communication, trust, participation, and advocacy to monitor engagement over time.
Stakeholders: are any individual, group, or organization that has an interest in, is impacted by, or contributes to the actions, decisions, or overall success of Pearland ISD. This includes students, families, staff, school board members, taxpayers, local businesses, community partners, higher education institutions, nonprofit organizations, and governmental agencies whose involvement supports the district’s mission, values, and outcomes.
Stakeholder Satisfaction with District Communication Score: reflects how stakeholders perceive the district’s effectiveness in communication, trust, and responsiveness. Calculated by averaging survey responses on satisfaction, transparency, and perceived voice in district decisions.
Stakeholder Trust and Advocacy Score: is a composite measure that reflects the collective trust, satisfaction, and perception of advocacy efforts among stakeholders. It is calculated by averaging survey responses to targeted questions that assess communication, transparency, and support for district initiatives.
Priority Four: Finance
Facility Condition Assessment (FCA): is a comprehensive evaluation of a school facility’s physical components—including structural systems, mechanical systems (HVAC, plumbing, electrical), roofs, safety features, finishes, and site elements—to determine current condition, identify deficiencies, estimate repair/replacement costs, and prioritize capital improvement needs.
Financial Sustainability: refers to an organization's ability to maintain stable, long-term financial health while meeting its goals and obligations.
Fund Balance: refers to the difference between a school district’s assets and liabilities in a specific fund, representing the available financial resources at a given time.
First Rating: Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) is a financial accountability system developed by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to evaluate the fiscal management practices of Texas public school districts.
“Unmodified” audit opinion is the highest level of assurance an auditor can give, indicating that a school district’s financial statements are presented fairly, in all material respects, and are in accordance with accepted accounting principles (GAAP).
Texas Comptroller Transparency Stars Designation: The Transparency Stars program, initiated by the Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts, recognizes local governments—including school districts, cities, counties, and special purpose districts—that excel in financial transparency.
- Traditional Finances Star: this star shows that the district is transparent about how it receives and spends taxpayer dollars and is committed to public accountability.
- Contracts and Procurement Star: this designation assures the public that the district uses open, fair, and competitive procurement practices.
- Economic Development Star: this reflects a district’s commitment to open disclosure of how it participates in local economic development efforts that may affect revenue or public trust.
Facility Survey Satisfaction Score: is a numerical or categorical rating that reflects how satisfied stakeholders are with a school district’s buildings, grounds, and physical learning environment.