2011 accountability ratings reveal high percentage of Exemplary, Recognized campuses

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August 1, 2011—The percentage of Cypress-Fairbanks ISD’s Exemplary and Recognized campuses increased significantly, according to the annual accountability ratings released by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) on Friday.

While district achievement levels have not changed, the TEA’s accountability standards are a moving target with several shifting criteria.

In 2011, both the Texas Projection Measure (TPM) and Texas Growth Index (TGI) were discontinued to more accurately reveal how students performed—rather than a prediction of their success.

When comparing 2010 and 2011 accountability data without TPM, the percentage of CFISD’s Recognized and Exemplary campuses increased at the elementary (98 percent over 84), middle school (38 over 19) and high school (40 over 30) levels (see graph).

Five base indicators were used to determine ratings:

• percentage of students passing TAKS;

• performance and progress of English language learner (ELL) students*;

• percentage of students scoring at commended performance levels on TAKS*;

• completion rate for 2010 graduating class; and

• annual drop out rate for grades 7-8 during the 2009-2010 school year.

All students along with students in each of four subgroups (African American, Hispanic, White, and Economically Disadvantaged) must meet state standards. Failure of one group to meet the state standard in any one indicator can lower a school district’s rating. CFISD’s 2011 rating is Academically Acceptable—the result of one campus receiving an Academically Unacceptable rating.

Although an appeal of that rating is pending to the state, the district demonstrated several other positive gains in official TAKS results.

CFISD saw gains in the percentage of students passing:

• Reading/English Language Arts – Commended Performance among the Hispanic and Economically Disadvantaged subgroups ;

• Math – Commended  among the Hispanic subgroup;

• Science – Commended among the Hispanic, White and Economically Disadvantaged subgroups;

• Social Studies among all subgroups; and

• Writing – Commended among Hispanic and White subgroups.

Visit the TEA website at www.tea.state.tx.us for a detailed listing of scores by campus.