McKinney ISD earns a “recognized” rating from the Texas Education Agency
Despite facing significantly higher accountability standards this year, for the first time in the history of the rating system, McKinney ISD earned a recognized rating, the second highest rating afforded by the Texas Education Agency. Furthermore, nine MISD campuses were awarded the highest rating of exemplary and seven MISD campuses were named recognized, decreasing the number of acceptable campuses to three.
Some of the most significant increases were noted at the secondary level. Both Dowell Middle School and Scott Johnson Middle School boosted their ratings from acceptable to recognized, and McKinney North High School has earned the exemplary rating.
McKinney ISD Superintendent Dr. David Anthony said the recognized rating is a result of the work of district administrators and teachers to narrow the gap between the student groups. Student groups, as determined by the TEA, are White, African American, Hispanic and Economically Disadvantaged. Economically Disadvantaged students, which account for about 21 percent of the MISD enrollment, qualify for the free or reduced meal program from the federal government.
“The recognized district rating is a result of the focused work of our administrators and teachers to close the gap,” he said. “Historically, McKinney ISD has failed to effectively meet the needs of the economically disadvantaged, which is unacceptable. We should not leave any child behind. The preliminary TAAS scores and today’s ratings indicate our teachers and students have done an excellent job of educating all students.”
Among school districts, 425 achieved the “recognized” status, compared to 471 the previous year. Collectively, 55 percent of Texas’ 1,040 school districts and 61 percent of the 7,000 campuses earned the top two ratings.
The number of exemplary campuses in Texas reached 1,908 in 2002, up from 1,571 the previous year. The number of exemplary school districts was 143 this year, compared to 178 last year.
In McKinney ISD, the following campuses have been named exemplary: Glen Oaks Elementary, C.T. Eddins Elementary, Wolford Elementary, Reuben Johnson Elementary, McNeil Elementary, Valley Creek Elementary, ACT Academy, and McKinney North High School. Additionally, Walker Elementary increased its rating from recognized to exemplary.
To earn the top rating, a school or a district needed to have at least a 90 percent passing rate on the reading, writing and mathematics sections of the TAAS for all students and student groups. They also needed to achieve a 90 percent or better passing rate for all students on the social studies TAAS test and have an annual dropout rate of 1.0 percent or less for all students and each student group.
The number of campuses receiving a recognized rating, which is the second highest rating given by the state, also reached a record level at 2,400 schools across the state.
The following McKinney ISD schools received a recognized rating: Finch Elementary, Burks Elementary, Webb Elementary, Malvern Elementary, Slaughter Elementary, Scott Johnson Middle School and Dowell Middle School.
To earn a recognized rating, all students and each student group had to achieve a passing rate on the reading, writing and mathematics sections of the TAAS of 80 percent or better and an 80 percent or higher passing rate for all students on the social studies exam. A dropout rate of 2.5 percent or less for all students and each student group was also required.
McKinney High School, Faubion Middle School and Caldwell Elementary earned an “acceptable” rating.
This year, 2,070 schools received an acceptable rating, down from 2,469 the previous year. Among school districts, 454 were acceptable this year, compared to 390 in 2001.
To achieve an acceptable rating, districts or campuses had to have 55 percent or more of their total students and student groups pass the reading, writing and mathematics sections of the TAAS test, up from 50 percent last year, and achieve an annual dropout rate of 5.0 percent or less for all students and student groups. In 2001, a dropout rate of 5.5 percent was permitted for an acceptable rating. They also had to earn passing rates of 50 percent or higher for all students on the social studies TAAS exam given at eighth grade. This is the first time performance on the social studies test has been included in the rating system.
The MISD three campuses rated acceptable in MISD had most scores well above 80 percent mark, but had a few areas where the passing percentages were above 70 percent, but below 80 percent.
“Even though theses campuses did not earn recognized or exemplary status, significant gains were made in many areas,” Dr. Anthony said. “Specifically, MHS improved in almost every area in double-digit standards. Even with the recognized district rating and sixteen campuses earning the top two accountability ratings, MISD has work to do to meet the needs of all students.”
“Texas schools continue to grow stronger academically,” Education Commission Felipe Alanis said. “We are so proud of the performance of our students. We know there is still work to be done, but the improved academic performance we have seen in this state since the accountability system began is a testament to the hard work of educators, students and parents.”
“Next year, when we introduce the more rigorous Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS), which will cover more grades and subjects, it is likely that we will see a drop in passing rates. This has been our previous experience and that of other states as well,” the commissioner said.
A new accountability system will debut in 2004 that is based on the TAKS and high school completion rates, rather than the TAAS and annual dropout rates. That new system is being developed now.
“With the ratings released today, Texas’ first accountability rating system comes to an end. Next year, we’ll have a transitional system, but we will also provide an evaluation of 2003 district and campus performance against the 2004 accountability,” Alanis said.
“I am very excited for the students, parents, teachers and administrators of MISD,” Dr. Anthony said. “The accountability ratings are well deserved based on the hard work, determination, and commitment of our stakeholders. The MISD community members, businesses, and media support the district and they all deserve to have a quality school district. This rating has been one of our goals for three years, but it is not the ultimate goal; it is just the first step toward meeting the academic needs for all MISD students. I am proud of this community and proud that the achievement of MISD will reflect positively on the students, the school district and our patrons.”
 

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