Leon County TAKS scores are in

The TAKS scores for the Leon County schools have been received and all were acceptable or above.

Buffalo ISD received a “Recognized” rating as a district for the first time in school history. The Elementary was “Recognized” for the fourth year in a row, the Junior High’s rating improved to “Recognized” and Buffalo High School maintained their “Academically Acceptable” rating. Full details will be reported at Monday evening’s School Board meeting.

Last year Centerville received a clean sweep in the “Recognized” category. But this year they earned “Recognized” on both campuses, which would make one think that the district would also receive “Recognized” status. But the administration was extremely disappointed when they received word that while the campuses ranked “Recognized” the district’s score was “Acceptable”.

Superintendent Cathy Nichols explained it as follows. Each campus is scored separately and then the district is scored by combining the two campuses into the following 5 subgroups: (1) All students; (2) African American; (3) Hispanic; (4) white; (5) economically disadvantaged. There must be 50 in a subgroup to be counted. For example, there may be 30 Hispanic students in elementary and 20 in Jr/ Senior High so their scores would not be counted on the campuses, but they would be counted at the district level because they total 50. (Please note that this is simply an example, the Hispanic subgroup did not bring down the district score.) Nichols also said that the economically disadvantaged may be counted twice; once in their ethnic group and once in the disadvantaged category.

CISD’s score in one subgroup was in the “Acceptable” range in math. Also, the overall scores in reading and science were good but since last year’s scores were higher, these two subjects did not meet the required improvement status.

The CISD district has technology which tells them which students are having issues and need help. These children are allowed a study period during the morning where they will receive tutorials and instruction.

At Leon ISD the scores smiled on the overall district with “Recognized”. The elementary and high school campuses received “Recognized” as well, but the junior high came in with an “Acceptable” score. Science and math were the culprits that raised their ugly heads. Last year Leon ISD boasted “Recognized” at both campuses and the district.

Like Centerville, Oakwood ISD received “Recognized” at both campuses but scored “Acceptable” for the district.

Normangee’s district came in with “Recognized” but its elementary scored the only “Exemplary” in the county. This was the second year Normangee Elementary has scored this outstanding ranking. Normangee High and Jr. High campuses both received “Recognized”.

There is an enormous amount of planning and hard work which goes into preparation for these tests. Congratulations to all the Leon County teachers and students for you efforts. Not one “Unacceptable” in the county is a very good thing.