LTISD Info

2010
02.20

Did you know about the new rating system?

Category: Academics, Administration / Tags: no tag / Add Comment

A recent article in the February 11, 2010 Kerrville Daily Times describes a new district rating system to be implemented by the Texas Education Agency in 2012.

“For years, “Recognized” and “Exemplary” have been used as bragging rights by school districts across Texas and in Kerr County, but those terms soon will be a thing of the past as the Texas Education Agency re-vamps and simplifies its district rating system.

A two-tier “acceptable” or “unacceptable” rating system will replace the current multi-level rating system starting in 2012, after the implementation of new statewide standardized testing.”

Rocky Kirk should be rejoicing! This will mean that starting in 2012 Rocky no longer has to explain why he can’t lead the district to be the “most exemplary school district in Texas.” Rocky Kirk has a long string of “academically acceptable” ratings obtained under his “leadership” and not one “exemplary” rating.

But, those districts who are truly rated “exemplary” and “recognized” will no longer be identified for their hard earned achievements. Unlike Rocky Kirk, some superintendents believe that their districts should be given credit for their achievements:

“But some local administrators are wary of the new system, which they say fails to acknowledge high performing schools.

“I think it’s about giving credit where credit is due,” said Cody Newcomb, superintendent of Center Point Independent School District. “I have an exemplary elementary school, and I think it deserves that credit.”

Newcomb said that rankings for schools are an important measure of accountability and reflect the broad range of performances.”

But wait a minute, Education Week put out a grade for all of the states in the country and it rated Texas’ Standards, Assessments, & Accountability a “A.” Someone else thinks that Texas has a good accountability system.