District Receives TEA Ratings

Waxahachie ISD officials announced today that five of its’ ten campuses achieved “Recognized” ratings and Waxahachie I.S.D. is once again rated “Academically Acceptable” under the Texas Education Agency’s Academic Excellence Indicator System.  The five “Recognized” campuses are Marvin, Dunaway and Northside Elementary and  Turner Middle School and the Waxahachie Ninth Grade Academy.         All remaining campuses in the district received “Acceptable” ratings.

 The district improved in many areas and made marked increases in subpopulation scores.  At the Ninth Grade Academy African American students made gains of 39% in math and 11% in reading along with 20% gains in Economically Disadvantaged scores.  The Junior High campus also showed double digit gains in African American, Hispanic and Economically Disadvantaged subpopulation scores.  Overall, significant gains were made at all campuses in the subpopulation scores. 

 The state measures student performance with All students and subpopulations including White, African American, Hispanic and, Economically Disadvantaged student scores to determine the campus rating.  Of the 28 TAKS score indicators for All Students, the district made gains in 19 indicators.  The district is very pleased that in reading and writing, each campus score for all students is at the exemplary level of 90% or higher.

  “The tremendous focus made by each campus’ staff and the extra effort to reach individual students with additional academic strategies made the difference in the gains we have seen this year,” stated Ms. Judy Brewster, Executive Director of Curriculum. 

 The state continues to raise the bar with higher expectations for districts to reach the Recognized Level. This year to be recognized the campus had to have 75% of its students meet the standards on all tests for All Students, as well as each individual subpopulation compared to 70% last year.  For Exemplary Level, all scores must be at 90%.

 “We are pleased with the continued improvement our district makes each year in academic performance,” stated Thomas Collins, Waxahachie ISD Superintendent of Schools.  “Our scores reflect the dedication of our faculty and the determination by our students to be an excellent school district.  Our increase in scores reflects the district’s commitment to keep moving towards receiving an Exemplary rating from the state of Texas,” stated Collins.

 For more information on the district’s accountability ratings, contact the office of public relations at 972.923.4631.

 2006-2007 District TAKS Performance