LTISD Info

Yes, the LTISD announced that the district has been determined to be “Academically Acceptable” by the TEA, again!

As usual, the LTISD is crying about the “fairness of the system” rather than actively doing  something to improve their rating.

I want to know who’s head(s) will roll now? We have seen that in the past, after disappointing ratings, school principals have departed soon thereafter and Rocky still keeps getting pay raises. Interesting …

Hey, I have a great idea! How about giving the parents and tax payers a return on their investment that is commensurate with the amount of money we are being taxed? Is that so hard to ask for? It would only be fair since we, the tax payers, are paying so much more than other more efficient and higher performing districts?

Why did the LTISD make this announcement now?

Wasn’t it just last August that the LTISD announced that they were rated as “Recognized?”

Rocky what happened between your words on August 2009:

“The rating is a direct result of the hard work and dedication invested by our students, teachers, parents, and the entire LTISD community,” stated Dr. Kirk. “This achievement reflects the fact that large numbers of LTISD students are performing above standards, and we will continue to build on this tradition of academic focus and success.”

-Rocky Kirk, August 2008

and now, in July 2009 Rocky cries:

“Unfortunately, the preliminary ratings to be released by the state are truly not reflective of our exceptionally high student academic performance. The state system continues to be overwhelmingly punitive regarding the assignment of ratings.”

-Rocky Kirk, July 2009

Sorry Rocky, but the overwhelming data tends to show otherwise.

Just look at how the LTISD fared in the latest Newsweek high school ratings. The Lake Travis High School dropped almost 500 places  in the Newsweek ratings between last year and this year while our so called “cohort” (remember that Rocky?) districts maintained their ratings.

Guess it’s time to put lipstick on and try to sell this …

According to the TEA web site, the district has known this for some time now. The TEA says that district’s may appeal their ratings starting July 16. Why did they wait until now to break the bad news just a few days before the TEA releases the state wide results?

The TEA will be publishing the entire state ratings to the rest of us on July 31. When that happens, I will be sure to let you know just how the over taxed, academically acceptable LTISD rates compared to the rest of the state.

FYI: The Houston ISD has published a short document highlighting the standards used by the TEA in their accountability ratings.

This sure doesn’t make our overpaid superintendent Rocky Kirk look very good.

Hey Rocky, remember when you said that you were going to make the LTISD “the most exemplary school district in Texas?” How’s that working out for you Rocky?

How could a district who pays so much in taxes and with such an outrageously overpaid superintendent perform so badly? It’s just not fair!

Well, I guess we need to throw more money at the problem and approve that rollback election that they have been talking about so much. NOT! If anything, this news simply supplements what we already know.

If the district can’t do better than it is doing, what makes you think that throwing more money down the toilet will help?

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