According to Texas Education Agency accountability ratings released on July 30, both the Pearland and Alvin Independent School Districts have achieved Exemplary status -- the highest rating possible -- for the 2009-10 school year. Ratings from lowest to highest include Academically Unacceptable, Academically Acceptable, Recognized and Exemplary. Statewide, only 239 districts and charter schools -- about 19 percent -- achieved an Exemplary rating this year.
In addition to the Exemplary rating for the districts, Pearland I.S.D. had 15 of its 23 campuses ranked Exemplary, and Alvin I.S.D. had 13 of its 21 campuses achieve the rating. Six Pearland and seven Alvin schools earned the Recognized rating, the second highest. Neither district had any campus rated as Unacceptable.
The ratings are based on the number of students passing the state’s standardized test, the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, and completion and dropout rates. Exemplary districts and campuses must have at least 90 percent passing rates in all subjects and all five student groups (all students, African American, Hispanic, white and economically disadvantaged). Recognized districts or schools must each have at least 80 percent of their students passing the test. In addition, Exemplary districts had to achieve a 95 percent completion rate and an annual dropout rate of 1.8 percent or less.
“We are extremely proud of our Exemplary rating. While our teachers provide students a quality education, our administrators and staff provide the resources that make those successes possible. In addition, parents support our schools by laying the foundation for each child’s success in the classroom. As a result, our students constantly exceed expectations, proving that support and encouragement truly make a difference,” said Pearland Superintendent Dr. Bonny Cain.
“This is great news and is what we expected because it has been our goal to reach Exemplary status again,” said Tommy King, Interim Superintendent. Alvin was previously rated Exemplary in 2002 and 2003. “The students and teachers working in the classrooms, the Board and support staff working in the background and parents working with students at home are what make this happen. I am so proud of everyone,” he said. It is obvious that our students, teachers, staff and parents have worked very hard to make Alvin ISD one of the most successful school districts in Brazoria County and in the greater Houston area.”
For accountability ratings and other testing information, visit the TEA website at www.tea.state.tx.us. |
