1 Aug 2008
Number of Academically Unacceptable Schools Drops by 5
DALLAS–More than 103 schools in the Dallas Independent School District have received the state's top two ratings of exemplary or recognized by the Texas Education Agency.
The number is a sharp increase from last year, when the district had 47 schools listed in both categories.
Each year, the Texas Education Agency releases accountability ratings based on student performance on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test. In 2008, Dallas students improved their scores in every grade and subject except 7th grade writing.
"These results clearly indicate that Dallas ISD is moving in the right direction," said Superintendent of Schools Michael Hinojosa. "Credit goes to the thousands of teachers, aides, campus administrators, support staff, counselors, librarians, parents and, of course, the students for these gains."
All totaled, 26 Dallas ISD schools earned the state's top rating of exemplary, an increase from 14 in 2007. The number of recognized schools jumped from 33 in 2007 to 77 in 2008.
"While there is a lot to celebrate in Dallas in terms of positive results, there are still several areas for improvement," said Hinojosa. "The TEA accountability ratings are always a good yardstick, but they aren't the only measure. Our goal is to graduate all students college/workforce ready."
The number of Dallas schools rated as academically unacceptable dropped in 2008, from 26 to 21. Three schools received the state's lowest rating for the fourth year in a row: H. Grady Spruce High School, W.W. Samuell High School and E.B. Comstock Middle School.
A plan was approved in June by the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees to make significant changes at Spruce High School by transferring 10th and 11th grade students to Lincoln and Madison High Schools, and adding three career pathways for 9th grade students in the areas of Engineering and Information Technology, Health and Human Services, and Business and Financial Management. Samuell and Comstock made gains in 2007, but not enough to reach the state's acceptable ratings.
"The goal is for all three of these schools to improve academically this coming academic year," said Hinojosa. "The staff at Samuell and Comstock made positive steps last year and there are good signs of progress. Spruce will be a completely different school during 2008-09."
Since 2005, the number of exemplary and recognized schools in Dallas ISD has increased significantly. Six Dallas ISD schools received the state's top rating three years ago and 43 were named recognized at that time.
"The TEA ratings are just one indicator, but they do show progress that is noteworthy," said Hinojosa. "There is still a ways to go, however, and everyone will continue to work hard on behalf of Dallas students, parents and taxpayers.