TEA Releases Accountability Grades For School Districts In Hays County

In the new A-F rating system, schools are graded on three different criteria; the three criteria grades are then averaged out for the campus’s overall rating…

By, Terra Rivers, Managing Editor

The Texas Education Agency released the 2017-2018 state accountability ratings under the new accountability system this morning.

Every year, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) reviews test scores for school districts around the state. School districts and their campuses are graded on four criteria: student achievement, student progress, closing performance gaps and postsecondary reading level.

In the new A-F rating system, schools are graded on three different criteria; the three criteria grades are then averaged out for the campus’s overall rating. TEA announced last year they would be switching to the new system.

The three criteria for the new system is student achievement (how much students know), school progress (How much students are performing over time and compares that progress to similar schools) and closing the gaps (How well different populations of students in a district are performing).

According to a press release from the TEA, 153 school districts and charters achieved an A-rating.

Texas Commissioner of Education, Mike Morath, noted that many of those districts are accomplishing strong performance for all its students in areas with high levels of poverty.

“Achieving an A rating reflects the hard work and commitment of everyone within a school district, starting with our classroom teachers. We should all celebrate the outstanding work of these dedicated educators,” said Commissioner Morath. “Districts with high levels of poverty who attain this high level of performance are proof positive that poverty is not destiny. With strong instruction and curriculum, all students can succeed.”

Among the A rated school districts was Dripping Springs ISD, which received an overall grade of 92. The district earned a score 93 in student achievement, 84 in school progress and a 91 in closing the gaps.

Wimberley ISD also received an overall rating of 91; the district received a 91 in student achievement and closing the gapes and 84 in school progress.

“We are excited to be recognized as an A district. While this is great affirmation, we recognize that education is ever-changing and multi-dimensional—we have to stay on our toes and be ready to adapt and improve our ways of teaching Wimberley ISD students,” said Dee Howard, Wimberley ISD Assistant Superintendent. “During this first week of school, we applaud the hard work of our teachers and students and have already buckled down for a new year focused on achieving milestones and getting better,” she added.

Austin Independent School District received an overall score of 89, but five of its campuses failed to meet state standards.

Hays Consolidated Independent School District and San Marcos Consolidated Independent School District received accountability ratings of Cs for the 2017-2018 school year.

Hays CISD received an overall rating of 77 earning a 75 in Student Achievement, an 80 in School Progress and a 71 in Closing the Gaps.

Tom Green Elementary failed to meet standards in all three criteria and received an improvement required rating overall. Three schools received ratings in the high to middle sixties. Seven schools received grades between 80 and 90, and R C Barton Middle School and Laura B Negley Elementary received a 92 and a 93 respectively.

San Marcos CISD was given an accountability rating of 72. The district earned Cs in Student Achievement and School Progress and a D in Closing the Gaps overall.

All of the campuses met state standards overall; however, two schools were given improvement required ratings. Travis Elementary received a 57 in Student Achievement, and Miller Middle School was given a 59 in Closing the Gaps.

Two of Hays County’s charter schools were also rated. Texas Preparatory School received an 92 rating overall, and Katherine Anne Porter school received an 89.

The TEA encourages parents to visit TXSchools.org to explore their local school district’s and children’s campus ratings.

In total, aside from the 121 district who received an A, 334 districts received a B, 232 received a C, 46 received a D and 9 failed to meet standards and received an F. While school districts won’t receive official letter grades until next year, all districts received grades on a scale of 0 to 100.

On top of those numbers, 13 districts were labeled not rated for reasons unrelated to Hurricane Harvey. Publicly funded charter schools receive ratings, but privately funded schools do not.

2017-2018 State Accountability Ratings for District’s in Hays County;

• San Marcos CISD
• Hays CISD
• Wimberley ISD
• Dripping Springs ISD

2017-2018 State Accountability Ratings for San Marcos CISD Campus’;

• San Marcos High School
• Miller MS
• Goodnight MS
• Bowie EL
• Crockett EL
• DeZavala EL
• Hernandez EL
• Mendez EL
• Travis EL