Principals representing the nine CFISD campuses that earned all possible distinction designations by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) pose together after the schools were recognized during the Board of Trustees meeting Oct. 8. The principals (from left) are Ana Martin (Cy-Fair High School), Jodi White (Arnold Middle School), Maria Mamaux (Aragon Middle School), Dr. Abe Lozano (Holbrook Elementary School), Connie Roberson (Wilbern Elementary School), Elizabeth Bradley (Pope Elementary School), April Wright (Lowery Elementary School), Heather Motzny (Sampson Elementary School) and Stacie Everson (Birkes Elementary School).

Oct. 10, 2018—Nine CFISD campuses were recognized for earning all possible distinction designations by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) during the Board of Trustees meeting Oct. 8.

The honored campuses were:

• Birkes, Holbrook, Lowery, Pope, Sampson and Willbern elementary schools;
• Aragon and Arnold middle schools; and
• Cy-Fair High School.

Campuses that received an accountability rating of Met Standard are eligible to earn distinction designations, which are awarded for achievement and progress in the following areas:

• Academic Achievement in English Language Arts/Reading;
• Academic Achievement in Mathematics;
• Academic Achievement in Science;
• Academic Achievement in Social Studies;
• Top 25%: Comparative Academic Growth;
• Top 25%: Comparative Closing the Gaps; and
• Postsecondary Readiness.

Each campus is assigned to a unique comparison group made up of Texas schools that are most similar to it. The groups are determined on grade levels served, size, percentage of students who are economically disadvantaged and mobility rate. It also includes the percentage of English language learners, students receiving special education services and students enrolled in an Early College High School program.  

A campus earns a distinction designation if it is in the top quartile of its comparison group for at least 33 percent (for high schools) or 50 percent (for elementary and middle schools) of the indicators used to award the distinctions.

Campuses earning one or more of these distinction designations met rigorous criteria to earn the highest level of recognition in the state accountability system.

“Congratulations to our campuses that earned distinctions designations,” said Dr. Linda Macias, CFISD associate superintendent of curriculum & instruction and accountability. “Earning one or more distinction designations is quite an accomplishment and should be celebrated. We are especially proud of our campuses who earned all of the distinction designations available to them and recognize the commitment of our administrators, teachers and the community to the success of our students. High expectations and an attitude of doing ‘whatever it takes’ is a common theme among these campuses.”