HISD schools were twice as likely as other Texas schools to earn the maximum number of distinction designations from the Texas Education Agency for their strong performance during the 2015-2016 school year, according to a report released this week.
Eleven percent of the district’s 255 eligible campuses earned every distinction designation for which they were eligible. Statewide, only 5.5 percent of eligible schools can make that claim. HISD’s awarded campuses include 15 elementary schools, six middle schools, and seven high schools.
Distinction designations are awarded to schools based on achievement in performance indicators relative to a group of 40 campuses of similar type, size, and student demographics. Schools are eligible for distinctions if they are rated as having “Met Standard” – the highest rating under the state accountability system. Up to seven distinctions can be earned for:
- Academic Achievement in English Language Arts/Reading;
- Academic Achievement in Mathematics;
- Academic Achievement in Science;
- Academic Achievement in Social Studies;
- Top 25 Percent: Student Progress;
- Top 25 Percent: Closing Performance Gaps; and
- Postsecondary Readiness.
Elementary schools taking home all six distinctions they are eligible for are: Bush Elementary School; Cage Elementary School; Condit Elementary School; Crockett Elementary School; De Chaumes Elementary School; De Zavala Elementary School; Herod Elementary School; Kolter Elementary School; Lovett Elementary School; Oak Forest Elementary School; Park Place Elementary School; River Oaks Elementary School; Roberts Elementary School; Sutton Elementary School; and White Elementary School.
Secondary schools taking home all seven distinctions include: Baylor College of Medicine Academy at Ryan; Burbank Middle School; Lanier Middle School; Project Chrysalis Middle School; Stevenson Middle School; T.H. Rogers School; Carnegie Vanguard High School; Challenge Early College High School; DeBakey High School for Health Professions; East Early College High School; Energized for STEM Academy West High School; High School for the Performing and Visual Arts; and Westside High School.
“Earning a campus distinction is a tremendous accomplishment,” said HISD Superintendent Richard Carranza. “The educators and students at all of these schools are doing outstanding work to increase student achievement and close performance gaps. This type of accomplishment serves as motivation for the entire district as we strive to ensure all students are provided a high-quality education.”
The 28 schools were among 151 HISD schools to earn at least one distinction designation from TEA. Depending on campus grade levels and type, the number of potential distinction designations can vary.
| 2015-2016 HISD Distinction Designations | Campuses Eligible | # Awarded Distinction Designation | % Awarded Distinction Designation |
| Academic Achievement in Reading/ELA | 255 | 98 | 38% |
| Academic Achievement in Mathematics | 255 | 91 | 36% |
| Academic Achievement in Science | 254 | 89 | 35% |
| Academic Achievement in Social Studies | 91 | 31 | 34% |
| Top 25% Student Progress | 255 | 84 | 33% |
| Top 25%: Closing Performance Gaps | 255 | 74 | 29% |
| Postsecondary Readiness | 255 | 78 | 31% |
More than 400 campuses across the state earned all distinction designations applicable to their individual school.
“Earning one or more campus distinctions is noteworthy and should be a source of pride in a community,” said Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath. “Earning all possible distinctions is a significant accomplishment and should signal to parents that there is extraordinary work taking place on that campus.”