BURTON ISD RELEASES STATEMENT ON POTENTIAL GRADE RATINGS
Burton ISD has released a statement about the new accountability rating system for Texas Public schools.
The Texas Education Agency released preliminary grades for more than 1,000 school districts Friday, including Burton and Brenham ISDs.
There were four categories measured in the ratings: student achievement, student progress, college readiness, and closing achievement gaps.
According to the American-Statesman, Burton ISD received a “C” rating in both student achievement and student progress, an “F” in closing performance gaps, and an “A” in postsecondary readiness. Likewise, Brenham ISD received a “C” rating in both student achievement and student progress as well, a “D” in closing performance gaps, and a “C” in postsecondary readiness.
The system will not go into effect until August of 2018, but the state released the letter grades that Texas public school districts would have received, should the system have been in place during the 2015-2016 school year as a test run.
Burton Superintendent, Dr. Edna Kennedy released the following statement Friday:
“There is really not a whole lot to say about a rating system which defines our district based on a one-time assessment, the STAAR test. It’s a little frightening that we get graded without including all of the important components of a district in the criteria for evaluation. Burton ISD is so much more than a one-time test! There should be more clarification to come and hopefully some guidance on how we can improve our district rating. I have told our staff to just keep doing what they do well-teach students! Our district is already involved in innovative teaching strategies to reach the increasing number of economically disadvantaged and special education students that attend our schools which is typically the population that influences our ratings negatively. We will be studying TEA correspondence in an ongoing effort to address district and campus weaknesses.
Our focus is to promote a learning environment where we do what is best for kids! The staff is committed to providing a quality education for all students. We appreciate the hard work, support, and effort it takes to have a successful school district from board members, the community, parents, staff, and students. We will continue to strive for excellence in all that we attempt to accomplish in the future. Burton ISD will remain strong in pride and tradition!”
Burton ISD joined with 152 Texas school districts that have adopted resolutions opposing the A-F rating system. Dr. Kennedy says the upcoming legislative session could potentially allow for changes to the system, and that for now the ratings should “at a minimum only be considered as a benchmark for campuses and districts.”
To view Brenham ISD's statement, click here.
When are parents going to stand up and say enough is enough?? If teachers would have more freedom to teach and not be strapped by what the state says needs to be taught, more students would do better over all. I, as a parent of two, seriously disagree with the whole adage of “teaching to the test” and I also disagree with teaching every student in the standard way. Not all children learn the same and they sure do not express themselves the same way. As a state employee, I see the whole “let’s keep everybody in a box” mentality, but it really needs to change! We all know that knowledge is power, so lets break out of these one size fits all thoughts and start teaching knowledge-not only to our children, but also in the workforce!!
If you receive an “A” in post secondary readiness, it seems like there are no gaps to close and student achievement would be maximized! Not sure these grade make much sense….
Kind of reminds me of childhood days when my uncle gave my brother a dollar for every grade he brought up. I continued to make straight A’s and so got …nothing.
How do we find out other schools new ratings? Have they all been released and public record?
What does the Brenham superintendent have to say about their ratings?
You can find your answer at http://www.brenhamisd.net Brenham’s Superintendent has written a statement on the ratings.