TENTH GRADE TAAS PRELIMINARY RESULTS SHOW SIGNIFICANT GAINS IN READING, MATH DISD SUPERINTENDENT SAYS

19 Apr 2002

DISD Economically Disadvantaged Reading Scores Up 9 Points

DALLAS—Preliminary results of the tenth grade TAAS in reading and math show vast improvements over the past two years, with an overall score in reading up nine points among the Dallas Independent School District’s economically disadvantaged students who make up nearly 75 percent of the district’s population, Superintendent Mike Moses said Monday.

The results also mean that DISD may have eight exemplary, six recognized and only one low performing high school according to standards set by the Texas Education Agency. Additionally, Middle College High School, which is under alternative accountability had 100 percent of their students pass all tests for the second year in a row. All other DISD high schools were rated as acceptable.

The one low performing high school may be North Dallas High School with Hispanic writing scores at 54.3 percent. Fifty-five percent is rated as acceptable.

In reading, scores were up seven points among African-American students. Reading scores were up eight points among Hispanic students and up two points among Anglo students. The overall score in reading increased seven points in the district.

In math, scores were up four points for African-American, Hispanic and economically disadvantaged tenth graders. Math scores were up two points among Anglo students. Overall, DISD students made a four-point gain in their math scores.

In writing, African-American scores increased by two points while Hispanic scores were down by two points. Anglo scores increased by three points, and among economically disadvantaged students the net was zero. Overall, writing scores in the district did not increase from last year and were down one point from 2000.

"These are preliminary numbers, but they show a trend line we have been seeing in the district over the past two years," Moses said. "This year, DISD tenth graders did their best ever in reading and math. We have news this morning of which we are proud, yet we still have a lot of work to do when it comes to writing skills. Nonetheless, we hope these results help us to further build confidence in the Dallas Independent School District."

The superintendent said the district will continue to focus on all three of the basics and ensure that all students, teachers and administrators know that the district can still do much better when it comes to educating the 164,000 students in the DISD.

"This is reason for celebration, but we must not become satisfied," Moses said. "There is still much that needs to be done, and much that will be done to further improve the district."

The superintendent said that voter support of the district’s bond election in January 2002 will help further enhance the learning environment of the district as construction of 20 new schools and renovations to the district’s 218 schools begins some time early next year.

"Our facilities are in critical need of renovation, repair and additions and that will have much to do in the future with the learning environment of our students, but we cannot expect that to be the end all when it comes to improving DISD," Moses said.

"We will continue to focus on recruiting and hiring the best teachers possible with competitive salaries and benefits. We will continue to address the dropout rate among our ninth and tenth grade students. We will continue to ensure that students are safe while they are in our care during the day, and we will continue to make sure we are spending every dollar that comes to the district in a wise manner."