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Richardson District Lauds Gains in Ratings
Tougher standards caused dip for several schools across state
Dallas Morning News, by Kristine Hughes
August 4, 2005
Richardson schools bucked the state trend in ratings released by the Texas Education Agency this week.
While the state reported that tougher passing standards led to four times the number of academically unacceptable schools this year, Richardson's results showed a 50 percent improvement in the top ratings.
In all, half of Richardson's schools are now rated either exemplary or recognized, compared with 42 percent statewide and double last year's district total. Twenty-seven RISD schools are acceptable, and none are unacceptable.
Additionally, 16 Richardson schools gained at least one ratings level, and 31 schools maintained their status. Six campuses lost ground.
"I was very pleased with our results," Superintendent Jim Nelson said, adding that several campuses narrowly missed improving a rating. "Our teachers, principals, specialists, parents and students worked very hard, and it clearly paid off."
Schools and school districts are rated exemplary, recognized, academically acceptable and academically unacceptable based on test scores and dropout and completion rates.
RISD has been rated academically acceptable since the system was put in place more than a decade ago. However, Mr. Nelson has made it his goal to change that.
"We are within reach of becoming a recognized district and will continue to work toward that goal," he said Tuesday.
Of the top performers, Bowie Elementary School improved two levels from acceptable to exemplary, and Mohawk regained its exemplary status after being recognized for the last few years.
The Bowie staff learned of the preliminary results in June but had to wait for the state to confirm the rating on Monday.
"We have just been keeping our fingers crossed," principal Nicole Farrar-Myers said. "We are just ecstatic over here."
She attributes the success to hard-working teachers and classroom consistency as well as the partnership between the school and community.
"We have a very supportive community," she said. "They care about their kids, and they love their school. We really want the same things."
Schools that dropped from recognized status to acceptable are Berkner and Richardson high schools and Northlake, Springridge, Wallace and Yale elementary schools.
"The two high schools dropped from recognized but still had among the highest scores of any school in the metroplex," said Mike Strozeski, assistant superintendent of accountability. "They fell short primarily due to slightly lower performance for Hispanic and limited English proficient students."
Improving the performance for those students remains a challenge for all school districts, he said. However, he added, science is the area "that's holding [RISD] back from being a recognized district."
Consequently, administrators are re-examining the science curriculum at all grades – not just those that are tested.
"If we address the deficit in science, I think we'll have a more even approach in all subject areas," Dr. Strozeski said.
Reprinted with permission of The Dallas Morning News
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