The Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced the 2015 district and school accountability ratings under the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) tests. Birdville ISD and 31 district campuses earned a rating of Met Standard, while Shannon High School earned a rating of Met Alternative Standard. These are the highest ratings available in the state’s accountability system.

“Once again, I am proud Birdville ISD and every campus earned a Met Standard rating under the state’s new and more rigorous testing system,” Superintendent Darrell Brown said. “This is a reflection of the continued commitment and hard work of our students and staff. Congratulations to the students, staff and community.”

To receive a Met Standard rating, the District and campuses had to meet target scores in Index 3 and Index 4, and either Index 1 or Index 2.  The district and all campuses met targets in all four indexes.

• Index 1 – Student Achievement, evaluates performance on STAAR across all subjects and all student groups at the satisfactory performance standard.
• Index 2 – Student Progress, evaluates the academic growth of students in reading, math, and writing from 10 student groups, including seven race/ethnicity groups, English language learners and special education students.
• Index 3 – Closing Performance Gaps, evaluates two levels of performance of students who are economically disadvantaged and, as applicable, students from the two lowest performing race/ethnicity groups from the prior year.
• Index 4 – Postsecondary Readiness, evaluates student performance in all tested grade levels against Level II final standards.  High schools and districts are also evaluated on graduation rates, the percentage of students graduating on Recommended and Distinguished/Advanced plans, and on a postsecondary readiness indicator based on TAKS performance, and completion of advanced coursework, college dual credit courses, or a coherent sequence of career and technology education courses.

Additional distinction designations were also awarded in 2015.  Elementary campuses may receive distinctions in five areas: academic achievement in reading/ELA, academic achievement in science, top 25 percent in student progress, top 25 percent in closing performance gaps, and postsecondary readiness.  Secondary campuses may also receive distinctions for academic achievement in mathematics, and academic achievement in social studies. Distinctions are based on comparisons between individual schools and a 40-campus group with similar student demographics. Overall, 24 of the 31 BISD campuses received at least one distinction and four campuses received the maximum possible: Smithfield Middle School, and Snow Heights, Holiday Heights and Foster Village elementary schools. A total of 64 distinctions were awarded to campuses across the district.

Additional academic highlights from 2015 include:

• BISD test scores exceeded the state average on STAAR in all subject areas for which results are available.
• Third-grade students exceeded the state average on the STAAR reading test by five percentage points.
• Fourth-grade students exceeded the state average on the STAAR reading test by five percentage points.
• Fifth-grade students exceeded the state average on the STAAR science test by seven percentage points.
• Seventh-grade students exceeded the state average on the STAAR reading test by three percentage points.
• Eighth-grade students exceeded the state average on the STAAR science test by seven percentage points.

End of Course (EOC) Exams

• BISD students scored three percentage points above the state average on the Algebra 1 EOC exam.
• BISD students scored two percentage points above the state average on the Biology EOC exam.
• BISD students scored four percentage points above the state average on the English II EOC exam.
• BISD students scored three percentage points above the state average on the US History EOC exam.