Arlington ISD Elevates Early Learning through Quality Instruction and Family Engagement with Seesaw
53 Elementary Schools
Students
Students receive English for Speakers of Other Languages (ESOL) services Qualify
55,000 Students
When Arlington Independent School District (AISD), an urban district and one of the largest and most diverse in Texas, transitioned to standards-based report cards for its youngest learners, it needed more than just a digital platform—it needed a purpose-built solution that aligned with its instructional vision, supported new reporting structures, and provided equitable access to high-quality learning experiences.
With nearly 53,000 students across Pre-K through 12th grade, and over 30% of students identified as limited English proficient, AISD’s commitment to personalized learning, student achievement, equitable access, and social-emotional well-being is foundational to its strategic plan. Recognizing that younger students learn best through interactive, developmentally appropriate platforms, AISD selected Seesaw as its learning management system for grades Pre-K through 2. AISD previously used one LMS at all grade levels K-12, but engagement in primary grades was low. Seesaw was a better fit for early learners, offering an intuitive, student-friendly interface compatible with the iPads and touch Chromebooks used in those grades.
“Canvas worked well for upper grades. But at the primary level, it had low usage. It wasn’t ideal for capturing authentic student work in a simplified way for young learners. We wanted our students to demonstrate mastery of the TEKS standards and we needed a platform that provided that instruction and evidence.
When COVID-19 disrupted schools and rapidly shifted instruction online, Seesaw’s flexibility became a lifeline, as AISD already had the platform set up and teachers had been trained. Seesaw quickly became central to AISD’s remote learning strategy and a foundational tool for teacher-parent communication during the shutdown.
But as instruction returned to in-person, AISD began investing in Seesaw’s Lessons, which helped fill a major need—especially for substitute teachers or those with less classroom experience. Many of AISD’s “bridge teachers,” who are completing certification programs, often need more structured support. Seesaw Lessons have filled this gap with ready-made, TEKS-aligned, high-quality lessons and activities that are consistent across grade levels and content areas.
Seesaw Lessons are TEKS-aligned, high quality, and our teachers don’t have to spend time worrying if they’re teaching to the right standard. They know they are.
Deann Thompson, Technology Integration Specialist at AISD
“Our teachers don’t compromise on rigor,” said Thompson.
Lessons remain a cornerstone of instructional planning at the primary level. The district regularly highlights new lesson offerings through a six-week newsletter, making it easy for educators to stay current.
Arlington ISD is leveraging Seesaw’s digital portfolios as a powerful tool to document student growth and showcase evidence of learning over time. As a district using standards-based report cards, it was essential for teachers to collect and organize consistent, ongoing evidence of student progress. “Seesaw provided that evidence and yearly growth,” shared Thompson.
Seesaw offers the district an intuitive, centralized space where teachers can capture and store student work throughout the year. The platform allows educators to align student submissions to specific standards, making it easier to reflect on growth, guide instruction, and communicate learning progress with families and administrators.
During remote learning, Seesaw became AISD’s required platform for teacher-family communication— and the results were remarkable. Engagement was high as families could see their child’s work in real time, offer encouragement, and stay connected.
However, once in-person instruction resumed and Seesaw communication was no longer required, family engagement began to decline. AISD responded by implementing Seesaw’s “Family Syncing” feature, which connects families to their child’s digital portfolio and updates. “With Family Sync, we’re seeing that family engagement increase,” said Thompson. “Now, when concerns arise—whether a child is struggling or excelling—it’s not a surprise. Families have visibility into what their child is doing every day.”
The platform’s impact on student motivation is also clear:
Deann Thompson, Technology Integration Specialist at AISD “
When their family members are able to make comments and celebrate their work, the students know—hey, my mom or my dad will see this and I want to do my best work. It’s not just for me or my teacher.
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home-to-school transparency has especially benefited a district as economically and linguistically diverse as AISD, with families who may otherwise face barriers to engaging with traditional school communication methods.
AISD’s student population includes over 6,400 students receiving special education services and tens of thousands with varied cultural, linguistic, and academic needs. Seesaw’s built-in flexibility has made it a powerful tool for differentiation, allowing teachers to assign content to individual students or groups based on need.
We have so many students with different needs and accommodations. Every class is different, and Seesaw lets teachers adapt accordingly. “They can assign one activity to the whole class or customize it for a specific student—and that’s critical in a district like ours.
Deann Thompson, Technology Integration Specialist at AISD
Today, Seesaw continues to align with AISD Strategic Plan by:
• Supporting personalized, high-quality instruction for early learners
• Equipping new and substitute teachers with rigorous, TEKS-aligned lessons
• Enhancing family engagement through transparent communication
• Providing equitable access and differentiation across a highly diverse student population
From the challenges of pandemic-era instruction to today’s focus on instruction, engagement, and equity, Arlington ISD’s journey with Seesaw is a powerful example of how the right tools—used intentionally—can transform teaching and learning for all.
Validated as a designated Every Student Succeeds Act (ESSA) Tier III and Tier IV evidence-based intervention by industry-leading third-party, Edtech insights organization, LearnPlatform
Awarded International Society for Technology in Education (ISTE) Seal of Alignment demonstrating powerful instructional tools that deliver a high-quality learning experience aligned to the leading digital age standards
Earned Digital Promise product certifications for Research-Based Design for Instructional Learning Products and Learner Variability
Structured and explicit literacy instruction based on the Science of Reading research from Dr. Louisa Moats and Wiley Blevins
Supports educators in applying the Universal Design for Learning (UDL) guidelines for their instruction
Equips schools and districts with evidence-based tools to implement Multi-Tiered System of Supports (MTSS)
