In public schools, April is a stressful time for students, parents and staff. For more than three decades, state-mandated testing has raised anxiety levels in homes and classrooms. April 2015 is no different. Once again, we have seen stress levels rise as the STAAR testing approached. And, once more, students rose to the occasion and, using what they learned in classrooms across BISD, did their very best.

In the days and weeks to come, BISD will share results from this year’s STAAR and end-of-course exams. But until those results are available, I want to remind you of some of the celebrations from 2014:

• BISD test scores exceeded the state average in every area of the STAAR grades 3‒8 and end-of-course (EOC) exams, with the exception of seventh-grade math.
• Third-grade students exceeded the state average on the STAAR math test by five percentage points.
• Students taking the eighth-grade math test exceeded the state average on the STAAR math test by seven percentage points.
• Eighth-grade students exceeded the state average on the STAAR social studies test by five percentage points.
• BISD students scored seven percentage points above the state average on the Algebra 1 EOC exam.
• BISD students scored seven percentage points above the state average on the Reading 1 EOC exam and six percentage points above the state average on the Reading 2 EOC exam.
• BISD students scored seven percentage points above the state average on the Writing 1 EOC exam and eight percentage points above the state average on the Writing 2 EOC exam.
• Students scored six percentage points above the state average on the biology EOC exam and seven percentage points above the state average on the chemistry EOC exam.
• BISD students scored seven percentage points above the state average on the world geography EOC exam and nine percentage points above the state average on the world history EOC exam.
• For the second year in a row, all three high schools increased the number of students earning a 3 or better on their AP exams.
• For the 10th consecutive year, BISD has received the highest rating from the state, “Superior Achievement,” for their financial management of taxpayer dollars.
• Former State Comptroller Susan Combs awarded Birdville ISD the prestigious 2014 Platinum Leadership Circle Award. The Platinum Circle Award is the highest award given to local government entities for financial transparency.
• Education Resource Group recognized BISD as one of the top ten large school districts in Texas for achieving high academic performance while maintaining efficient operations.

Follow the great things happening across Birdville ISD on our website, Facebook and Twitter under #BISDShines.

Website: www.birdvilleschools.net

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/birdvilleschools

Twitter: https://twitter.com/birdvilleschool

Though final results from 2015 testing will not be announced by the state until later this summer, I feel confident that BISD students and staff will shine once again.