Curriculum and Instruction

These terms describe a set of teachable, non-cognitive skills foundational to student success. Just as students receive instruction and practice new skills in math, reading, science, music, and other subjects, students can also receive instruction and practice new skills to increase their knowledge of soft skills and strengthen important behaviors related to:

Setting and Achieving Goals

Taking Personal Responsibility for Decisions and Actions

Displaying Hopefulness, Confidence, and Optimism

Using Effective Processes for Decision Making

Controlling Behaviors and Emotions

Communicating Effectively with Others

Building and Keeping Positive Connections

Desiring Consistent Growth and Self-Improvement

Students who learn, practice, and apply these types of soft skills possess the know-how necessary for becoming productive, successful citizens both inside and outside of school. Just as assessments are used to set and target learning goals for math or reading, assessments are also used to set and target learning goals for soft skills. Rusk ISD teachers and counselors utilize an assessment called the Devereux Students Strengths Assessment, or DESSA, to assess students’ strengths in the eight areas listed above. From this data, instructional targets are set and a guidance curriculum is developed to address the areas in need of strengthening.

How important are these "personal competencies"? Research proves that individuals with “grit” and “resilience” who possess a solid “growth mindset” are far more likely to succeed not only in school, but also in their future endeavors within the job market. In fact, some research shows that employers value these durable soft skills up to four times more than hard skills. Providing Rusk ISD students the opportunity to learn and excel in all areas pertaining to their current and future successes - academically, socially, emotionally - is more than just a TEA mandate. It is a privilege and our greatest desire as educators. We hope that you will reach out to your child’s campus counselor or classroom teacher if you have any questions or are interested in learning more.

Requested: Public Comments on Proposed Rulemaking

All community stakeholders, school board members, administrators, teachers, and parents are encouraged to participate in the process for adopting rules that affect public education in Texas.

Click the link below to comment on proposed rules related to:

Commissioner of Education

State Board of Education (SBOE)

State Board of Educator Certification (SBEC)

CTE Public Notice of Nondiscrimination

Rusk ISD offers career and technical education programs in Agriculture, Food and Natural Resources; Arts, A/V Technology & Communication; Finance; Education and Training; Manufacturing; Architecture & Construction; Business Management; Health Science; Transportation & Logistics; Law Enforcement; and Human Services Admission to these programs is based on interest and class space availability.

It is the policy of Rusk ISD not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex or handicap in its vocational programs, services or activities as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

It is the policy of Rusk ISD not to discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, sex, handicap, or age in its employment practices as required by Title VI of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, as amended; Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972; the Age Discrimination Act of 1975, as amended; and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended.

Rusk ISD will take steps to assure that lack of English language skills will not be a barrier to admission and participation in all educational and vocational programs.

For information about your rights or grievance procedures, contact the Title IX Coordinator, Grey Burton, at 203 E 7th Street, Rusk, TX 75785, (903)-683-5592, and/or the Section 504 Coordinator, Tammy Hancock at, (903)-683-5592.

Rusk ISD ofrece programas de educación técnica y vocacional en Agricultura, Comida y Recursos Naturales; Artes, A/V, Tecnologia & Communicacion; Finanzas; Educacion y Entrenamiento; Fabricacion; Arquitectura & Construcion, Administracion de Empresas; Ciencia de la Salud, Transportacion & Logistica; Cumplimiento de la ley; Recursos Humanos. La admisión a estos programas se basa en interés y disponibilidad de espacio para clases.

Es norma de Rusk ISD no discriminar en sus programas, servicios o actividades vocacionales por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo o impedimento, tal como lo requieren el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964, según enmienda; Título IX de las Enmiendas en la Educación de 1972, y la Sección 504 de la Ley de Rehabilitación de 1973, según enmienda.

Es norma de Rusk ISD no discriminar en sus procedimientos de empleo por motivos de raza, color, origen nacional, sexo, impedimento o edad, tal como lo requieren el Título VI de la Ley de Derechos Civiles de 1964, según enmienda; Título IX de las Enmiendas en la Educación, de 1972, la ley de Discriminación por Edad, de 1975, según enmienda; y la Sección 504 de la Ley de Rehabilitación de 1973, según enmienda.

Rusk ISD tomará las medidas necesarias para asegurar que la falta de habilidad en el uso del inglés no sea un obstáculo para la admisión y participación en todos los programas educativos y vocacionales. Para información sobre sus derechos o procedimientos de quejas, comuníquese con el Coordinador del Título IX, Grey Burton, (903) 683-5592, 203 East 7th Street, Rusk, TX 75785 y/o la Coordinadora de la Sección 504, Tammy Hancock (903) 683-5592.