This week, the Texas Education Agency released its preliminary state accountability ratings for the 2012-13 school year. I am proud of our staff and students. Amid increasing standards and declining resources, they continue to make the grade.
For the 2012-13 school year, 110 schools met the standard and 55 schools earned 89 Academic Achievement Distinction Designations which recognize outstanding performance in student progress or academic achievement in English Language Arts or Mathematics. Eleven of the 55 schools earned distinction designations in all three areas.
For the 2012-13 school year, 110 schools met the standard and 55 schools earned 89 Academic Achievement Distinction Designations which recognize outstanding performance in student progress or academic achievement in English Language Arts or Mathematics. Eleven of the 55 schools earned distinction designations in all three areas.
The district’s results exceeded the state’s target for the second year of STAAR in all four areas: student achievement by 28 points, student progress by 14 points, closing performance gaps by 15 points, and postsecondary readiness by 6 points.
This news further demonstrates that the district is successfully making the transition from TAKS to STAAR. AISD leads comparable, urban school districts and exceeds the state average on student achievement. Our district also outperformed the state on student progress, according to the TEA's performance framework.
Of the 110 schools that met the state's new accountability standard, 107 received a rating of Met Standard and three received a rating of Met Alternative Standard. The TEA rated 11 schools as Improvement Required: Eastside Memorial, Lanier, LBJ, and Travis high schools; Dobie, Garcia, Martin and Pearce middle schools; Rodriguez Elementary School; Rosedale and Travis County Day School.
This year, the changing accountability measurements led to some unfortunate outcomes:
This news further demonstrates that the district is successfully making the transition from TAKS to STAAR. AISD leads comparable, urban school districts and exceeds the state average on student achievement. Our district also outperformed the state on student progress, according to the TEA's performance framework.
Of the 110 schools that met the state's new accountability standard, 107 received a rating of Met Standard and three received a rating of Met Alternative Standard. The TEA rated 11 schools as Improvement Required: Eastside Memorial, Lanier, LBJ, and Travis high schools; Dobie, Garcia, Martin and Pearce middle schools; Rodriguez Elementary School; Rosedale and Travis County Day School.
This year, the changing accountability measurements led to some unfortunate outcomes:
• Three AISD high schools, Travis, Lanier and Eastside, met the standards for the other indices, but did not meet the standard under Index 4. Graduation rates at these three schools are at an all-time high, but the schools did not meet Index 4 because of the number of students who graduated under the Minimum Plan rather than the Recommended Plan.
• The TEA also rated the district's Rosedale School, which serves students with profound disabilities, as not meeting the new standards. Because of the nature of their disabilities, most of the Rosedale students were only able to participate in Level 1 STAAR Alternative tasks, which is the reason the school received the Improvement Required rating. This rule will no longer apply in 2014.
• Finally, Martin Middle School missed the target for only one index—Index 3—by only one point. Rodriguez Elementary also missed only one index—Index 2.
• The TEA also rated the district's Rosedale School, which serves students with profound disabilities, as not meeting the new standards. Because of the nature of their disabilities, most of the Rosedale students were only able to participate in Level 1 STAAR Alternative tasks, which is the reason the school received the Improvement Required rating. This rule will no longer apply in 2014.
• Finally, Martin Middle School missed the target for only one index—Index 3—by only one point. Rodriguez Elementary also missed only one index—Index 2.
Preparing students for state assessments is a part of the great work our teachers do every day to provide a rich education to all of our students. In the end, what's important is ensuring our students graduate prepared for college, career and life.
In AISD, we are shifting the focus away from a culture of testing-which can be punitive and narrowly focused on test results-to one that emphasizes academic standards of excellence and the strengths and interests of the whole child with art programs, athletics, health and wellness initiatives and social emotional learning.
District and campus ratings are not official until November after the state appeals window closes and districts are notified. For more information, visit the TEA's website at http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/account/.
Congratulations to our staff and students for their hard work. I’m looking forward to another successful school year in 2013-14!
In AISD, we are shifting the focus away from a culture of testing-which can be punitive and narrowly focused on test results-to one that emphasizes academic standards of excellence and the strengths and interests of the whole child with art programs, athletics, health and wellness initiatives and social emotional learning.
District and campus ratings are not official until November after the state appeals window closes and districts are notified. For more information, visit the TEA's website at http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/account/.
Congratulations to our staff and students for their hard work. I’m looking forward to another successful school year in 2013-14!