School ratings are changing under a new accountability system that takes effect this year. The Texas Education Agency ratings will take into account a larger number of measures rather than being dependent on a single factor such as TAKS scores.
Campuses rated based on four indexes (scroll)
Student Achievement
» Performance across all subjects tested and all STAAR test versions for all students (TAKS for 11th grade students in 2013 only)
» Credit is given for satisfactory performance
Student Progress
» Growth is evaluated by subject (Reading, Mathematics, Writing) and student group (All Students, Special Education, ELLs, African American, American Indian, Asian, Hispanic, Pacific Islander, White, and Two or More Races)
Closing Performance Gaps
» Gaps are measured by subject area for all economically disadvantaged students and the two lowest performing racial/ethnic groups from the prior year
» Campuses get points for percentage of students at satisfactory level and for percentage of students at advanced level
Postsecondary Readiness
Based on the average of two indicators:
» STAAR advanced performance (2014-2015)
» Four-year or five-year graduation rate (high school completion) and recommended versus distinguished diplomas
Effective immediately, schools will be rated either Met Standard or Improvement Required. (There is also a Met Alternative Standard for charter schools and alternative education campuses.) The new system is designed to improve student performance and prepare all students for success after high school. It is more comprehensive in that it addresses diversity of student populations and educational settings.
The school ratings system will look at four key indexes to determine Met Standard or Improvement Required status: student achievement, student progress, closing performance gaps and postsecondary readiness.
In previous years, schools were rated on a four-tier system of Exemplary, Recognized, Academically Acceptable and Academically Unacceptable and were heavily weighted by standardized test scores. Although STAAR test results play a vital role in the new ratings, other factors such as graduation rates and high school plan are also factors.
In addition, distinction designations will be awarded to campuses based on campus performance compared to a group of campuses of similar type, size, and student demographics. These distinction designations acknowledge that these campuses not only met accountability standards but demonstrated outstanding academic performance in other areas.
To learn more about the new accountability system, read this informational handout and FAQ, email STAAR@houstonisd.org or call the HISD Office of Research and Accountability at 713-556-6700.