All county campuses rate “Academically Acceptable” or above

In 1999 the 76th Session of the Texas Legislature enacted Senate Bill 103, mandating implementation of a new statewide testing program. The testing requirements, subsequently named the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills, were implemented in spring 2003. By law, all eligible Texas public school students are assessed in mathematics in grades 3-10 and exit level; reading in grades 3-9; writing in grade 4 and 7; English language arts in grades 10 and exit level; science in grades 5,8,10 and exit level; and social studies in grades 8, 10, and exit level.

The TAKS test is designed to measure the extent to which a student has learned and is able to apply the knowledge and skills at each grade level. To be eligible to receive a diploma from a Texas public high school, a student is required to pass a total of four subject-area tests: English language arts, mathematics, science, and so- cial studies.

School campuses are rated: Exemplary, Recognized, Academically Acceptable, or Academically Unacceptable.

Understandably, these tests and their results are of prime significance to teachers and administration in all Texas schools and no less so in Leon County. When the scores came out there were many sighs of relief and possibly some of disappointment, but overall the county showed improvement.

Normangee led the county with a rating of “Exemplary” at the elementary campus, up from “Recognized” in 2008. This is the only “Exemplary” given for Leon County. Both high school and middle school campuses rated “Recognized” giving an overall district rating of “Recognized”.

Superintendent Jerry Burger said “I am really pleased with the performance of the students and faculty and hope that people who move to this area will realize that their children will have an opportunity to receive an excellent education at Normangee.”

This was Burger’s first year at Normangee and he says his experience was excellent. According to him “last year was a year of change and the upcoming year will be one of self-improvement.”

Administrators and faculty members on the Leon ISD Campus were excited about their news of receiving “Recognized” for all three campuses and an overall district rating of “Recognized”.

Superintendent Jay Winn says it will be harder to make “Recognized” next year because the standards have been raised. However, Winn comments “The next step is “Exemplary.”

Centerville has two campuses and both received a rating of “Recognized” with an overall status of “Recognized” as well. Superintendent Cathy Nichols said the district has implemented a program call C-Scope which has helped the students to prepare for the tests. The district also has a program called DMAC which tracks past scores and shows what the students missed so teachers can work on what is lacking.

Nichols said “This achievement requires a lot of hard work from a dedicated staff. I am very proud of both students and faculty”

Jackie Thompson, superintendent for Buffalo ISD showed obvious disappointment with his district’s scores because the district missed achieving “Recognized” status by one point. Although he would have enjoyed the upper rating, he was proud of the schools and their efforts.

BISD Elementary school received a “Recognized” status and the Junior High and High School campuses received “Academically Acceptable”.

Thompson said “I am real proud of the students’ efforts. They worked hard but we are not satisfied and will reach our goal next year.”

Perhaps making the greatest improvement was Oakwood Elementary, moving from “Academically Unacceptable” for two years in a row to “Recognized” status. Richard Scoggin, Oakwood ISD superintendent, was excited about the improvement and gives credit to both students and teachers.

The high school’s status was “Academically Acceptable”, the same as last year but the scores within that rating were much improved. Scoggin said the high school was only one point away from “Recognized”, which would also give “Recognized” status to the district. However, the district rating was “Academically Acceptable.”

Scoggin said of the achievement, “I am very proud of the scores but there is still room for improvement. Credit goes to the attitude of the kids and teachers who would not accept failure. We have one goal for the upcoming year and that is to be an “Exemplary District.”

All Leon County school districts met “Adequate Yearly Progress” (AYP) standards required by the annual federal evaluation system. These evaluations are based on: Participation and passing rates on state math and English language arts/reading tests for grade 3-8 and 10; Graduation rates for high schools and districts; and attendance rates for elementary and middle schools.