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 athttp://tea.texas.gov/2016Accountability.aspx.”

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced the 2016 district and school accountability ratings under the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) tests. Birdville ISD and 31 district campuses earned a rating of Met Standard, while Shannon High School earned a rating of Met Alternative Standard. These are the highest ratings available in the state’s accountability system.

“I am proud Birdville ISD and every campus once again earned a Met Standard rating under the state’s more rigorous accountability system,” Superintendent Darrell Brown said. “This is a reflection of the continued commitment to teaching and learning by our students and staff.”

To receive a Met Standard rating, the District and campuses had to meet target scores in Index 3 and Index 4, and either Index 1 or Index 2.  The District and all campuses met targets in all four indexes.

• Index 1 – Student Achievement, evaluates performance on STAAR across all subjects and all student groups at the satisfactory performance standard.
• Index 2 – Student Progress, evaluates the academic growth of students in reading and math for 10 student groups, including all students, seven race/ethnicity groups, English language learners and students served by special education.
• Index 3 – Closing Performance Gaps, evaluates two levels of performance of students who are economically disadvantaged and, as applicable, students from the two lowest performing race/ethnicity groups from the prior year.
• Index 4 – Postsecondary Readiness, evaluates student performance in all tested grade levels against Level II final standards.  High schools and districts are also evaluated on graduation rates, the percentage of students graduating on Recommended and Distinguished/Advanced plans, and on a postsecondary college and career readiness indicator based on meeting the Texas Success Initiative (TSI) criteria, completion of advanced/dual credit courses, or enrollment in a coherent sequence of career and technology education courses.

Academic highlights from 2016 include:

• BISD test scores exceeded the state average on STAAR in all subject areas for grades three through eight.
• Third-grade students exceeded the state average on the STAAR reading test by seven percentage points.
• Fourth-grade students exceeded the state average on the STAAR reading test by seven percentage points.
• Fifth-grade students exceeded the state average on the STAAR science test by seven percentage points.
• Sixth-grade students exceeded the state average on the STAAR math test by seven percentage points.
• Seventh-grade students exceeded the state average on the STAAR math test by 10 percentage points.
• Eighth-grade students exceeded the state average on the STAAR science test by six percentage points.
• BISD students scored one percentage point above the state average on the Algebra 1 EOC exam.
• BISD students scored two percentage points above the state average on the Biology EOC exam.
• BISD students scored two percentage points above the state average on the English I EOC exam.
• BISD students scored five percentage points above the state average on the English II EOC exam.
• BISD students scored two percentage points above the state average on the U.S. History EOC exam.