AREA SCHOOL DISTRICTS GIVEN TEA RATINGS
Local school districts have received passing marks on their new accountability ratings from the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
School districts across the state today (Thursday) received their letter grades from the TEA, on a scale from A to F. Starting this year, each of the campuses in the districts were also graded on the letter scale.
This year, both Brenham and Burton ISD received a “B” rating. Brenham ISD had a scaled score of 87, while Burton ISD’s scaled score was an 89.
The annual ratings are based on how the school performed over the past school year. The ratings consider overall student achievement and progress, college readiness, and the performance of different racial, ethnic, and socioeconomic groups.
For the campuses in Brenham and Burton ISD, the ratings are:
- Brenham High School - B
- Brenham Middle School - B
- Brenham Junior High School - B
- Brenham Elementary School - D
- Alton Elementary School - C
- Krause Elementary School - B
- Brenham Early Childhood Learning Center - B
- Burton High School - B
- Burton Elementary School - C
Update @ 11:25 a.m.: Added statements from Brenham and Burton superintendents.
Statement from Brenham ISD Superintendent Dr. Walter Jackson:
“I want to express my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all of our administrators, teachers and support staff who work every day to make our vision of student success a reality. We assure our parents and community that we will remain laser-focused on making sure every child meets his or her target. Every child matters. The Brenham community can be assured that our school district is highly respected by many other high performing school districts and education leaders in the state. We aim to be a destination district that families choose as they move to our wonderful community.”
Statement from Burton ISD Superintendent Dr. Edna Kennedy:
"We are super proud that the Burton Independent School District received a B rating. Our overall rating was an 89. With all of the other programs and activities offered to our students that do not get included in the Accountability Rating, we most certainly consider ourselves to be an A+ school district. Our successes are a direct result of the hard work of our students, the above and beyond effort of “all” district staff, and the support of our school board and community.
"Learning is definitely taking place in the classrooms at Burton ISD. Our educators will continue to provide opportunities to improve student achievement, implement initiatives to help close the gaps of different student groups, and address school progress measures as mandated by the Texas Education Agency."
In regional school ratings, each of these school districts received an “A”:
- Anderson-Shiro CISD, Iola ISD, Montgomery ISD, Round Top-Carmine ISD, Waller ISD.
These school districts received “B” ratings:
- Bellville ISD, Caldwell ISD, College Station ISD, Fayetteville ISD, Giddings ISD, Hearne ISD, La Grange ISD, Lexington ISD, Magnolia ISD.
The following school districts received “C” ratings:
- Bryan ISD, Hempstead ISD, Sealy ISD, Snook ISD.
These districts were given “D” scores:
- Navasota ISD, Somerville ISD.
To learn more about the A-F rating system, or to see school district breakdowns, click here.
“I want to express my heartfelt thanks and appreciation to all of our administrators, teachers and support staff who work every day to make our vision of student success a reality.”
Our vision of student success a reality”, really, Our elementary campus scores or not great, including what many consider to be the flagship elementary campus that earned a “D”. This does not sound like a vision of success. It is interesting to me that students who are now in junior high and high school went through the elementary schools when we had a different central office administration and a different curriculum. Our schools are still benefiting from the foundation that was laid by others. Once the residual benefit from prior administrations is gone we will really see the long term effects of the current administration’s curriculum and leadership and it will not be a “vision of sucess”. They are so busy collecting their huge taxpayer-funded salaries, nominating themselves for awards, and padding their resumes that they are ignoring their own failures. Brenham needs to wake up to the rapid decline we are seeing in our schools before it is to late.
Wow! BES got a D rating. I wonder what’s going on there?
The reports are easily accessible online at TEA. You pick the data apart many different ways. In my interpretation of the data available this year, the support the child receives at home seems to be the largest challenge.
Economics, class sizes, and other measurements seem to indicate that some of our young learners are not thriving due to challenges which they have no control over. If I put myself in the shoes of a student, I am given a much better start each day, if both parents love and encourage me, give the nutrition I require, make sure my attendance if important, and help guide me through the tough material. If I have those things, before I walk through the school doors, I have it better than over half of my peers.
Our question, as citizens of our community, how do we achieve that for every single student?
Yes, Adminstration/Educators/Facilities feel judged by these measurements, but face the facts, they can only work with what they are provided. What can I do? Get involved, PTO’s, Booster Clubs, volunteer, etc. Meet all these great students, encourage them where they may not be supported, help where you can, at least make them feel how much they matter. If you can make the day better, for even one student, then you make a difference in their (and all of our) futures.
Talented educators work hard every day, they need to feel our encouragement, too. Be thankful, be helpful.
Not surprised at all! Its a ‘cake’ that you need to cut inside and truly see it for what it is!