The Texas Education Agency recently announced that “more than 400 campuses that achieved a Met Standard rating in the 2016 state accountability ratings also earned all distinction designations applicable to their individual school.” Hardeman Elementary was one that earned the maximum number of distinctions.

 Elementary campuses may receive distinctions in six areas: academic achievement in reading/ELA, academic achievement in math, academic achievement in science, top 25 percent in student progress, top 25 percent in closing performance gaps, and postsecondary readiness. Secondary campuses may also receive distinctions for academic achievement in social studies. Distinctions are based on comparisons between individual schools and a 40-campus group with similar student demographics. BISD had 26 of the 31 campuses received at least one distinction. Hardeman Elementary received the maximum possible, with Watauga and Smithfield middle schools, and Green Valley and Smithfield elementary schools receiving six of seven and five of six respectively. A total of 85 distinctions were awarded to campuses across the District, 21 more than last year.

According to the Sept. 14, 2016 TEA press release, “ ‘Earning one or more campus distinctions is noteworthy and should be a source of pride in a community,’ said Commissioner of Education Mike Morath. ‘Earning all possible distinctions is a significant accomplishment and should signal to parents that there is extraordinary work taking place on that campus.’

 “Last month, TEA released the 2016 state accountability ratings for more than 1,200 school districts and charters, as well as more than 8,600 campuses statewide. The ratings revealed that approximately 94 percent of school districts and charters across Texas have achieved the rating of Met Standard.

 “To view the 2016 state accountability ratings and distinction designations for all districts, charters and campuses, visit the Texas Education Agency website at http://tea.texas.gov/2016Accountability.aspx.”