Posted Date: 09/20/2016
Paris Independent School District met the standard in the Texas Education Agency (TEA) testing and accountability ratings for 2016. Paris High School earned all possible distinctions.
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is responsible for assessing public school students, as well as determining school and district accountability ratings. Under the new standard, now in its fourth year, districts and campuses fall under the rating of "met standard" or "improvement required," or "met alternative standard" for some alternative and charter schools. Campuses that have a rating of Met Standard are eligible for Distinction Designations based on achievement in performance indicators relative to a group of 40 campuses of similar type, size, and student demographics. Depending on campus grade levels and type, the number of potential distinction designations can vary. Up to seven distinction designations can be earned.
For the third year in a row, Paris ISD and every eligible campus Met Standard and earned distinction designations for a district total of thirteen. Paris High School is among more than 400 campuses statewide that earned all seven possible distinction designations which are: Top 25% Student Progress; Top 25% Closing Achievement Gap; Academic Achievement in Reading/Language Arts; Academic Achievement in Math; Academic Achievement in Science; Academic Achievement in Social Studies; and Postsecondary Readiness.
“Earning one or more campus distinctions is noteworthy and should be a source of pride in a community,” said Commissioner of Education Mike Morath. “Earning all possible distinctions is a significant accomplishment and should signal to parents that there is extraordinary work taking place on that campus.”
Paris Junior High earned distinctions in Academic Achievement in Science and Postsecondary Readiness. Crockett Intermediate earned distinctions in Academic Achievement in Math and Postsecondary Readiness. Aikin Elementary earned a distinction in Postsecondary Readiness and Justiss Elementary earned a distinction in Top 25 Percent Closing Performance Gap. Travis High School of Choice, Lamar County Head Start, Givens Early Childhood Center, and Paris DAEP are not assessed or rated.
Paris ISD also Met Standard. The only distinction available at the district level is for postsecondary readiness. This distinction takes into account factors such as graduation rates, ACT/SAT participation and performance, Career and Technical Education (CTE) graduates, and dual-credit course completion rates. To receive the distinction, one must meet 70% of the 13 indicators. Paris ISD was very close to receiving the postsecondary readiness distinction by achieving 69%. TEA announced that only 24 school districts received a distinction designation for postsecondary readiness.
Superintendent Paul Jones said, “Earning distinctions in the state accountability system is extremely difficult to do, and we should be proud of our students, staff, parents and community members for assisting in achieving these outstanding honors.”
To view the 2016 state accountability ratings and distinction designations for all districts, charters and campuses, visit the Texas Education Agency website at http://tea.texas.gov/2016Accountability.aspx.