Eight AISD schools miss state mark

According to recently released Texas Education Agency reports, eight Austin Independent School District campuses are not up to state standards. The TEA gave Martin Middle School, Dobie Middle School, Mendez Middle School, Brooke Elementary School, Govalle Elementary School, Norman Elementary School, Rodriguez Elementary School and Widen Elementary School “Improvement Required” ratings based on campus performance in the 2014-15 school year. The state hands out only two ratings to campuses and districts, either “Improvement Required” or “Met Standard.” The annual report requires schools to meet state-set requirements in up to four categories to receive a “Met Standard” rating. The categories are largely based off student performance on the standardized State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) test, but the categories also measure the performance of different student demographic groups, year-to-year student progress by subject and student group, and post-secondary readiness. Due to the changes in the state assessment program last school year, for the 2015 report, a campus could meet a target measuring student performance or student progress while additionally meeting student demographic and post-secondary readiness standards and still receive a “Met Standard” rating. Schools with two years of “Improvement Required” ratings must develop a reform plan with the TEA. If the campus continues to fall short of state standards a third time, TEA’s education commission has the authority to install new leadership at the school or shut it down.