According to the Texas Education Agency's preliminary accountability ratings, 117 of the district's schools have met standard or met alternative standard–the highest rating schools can earn-on the state's accountability system, and 58 schools earned a total of 162 Distinction Designations.
Five schools earned every available distinction designation: Liberal Arts and Science Academy and Blackshear, Blazier, Cowan and Gullett elementary schools. The district overall exceeded all targets of the state accountability system and earned a rating of met standard.
AISD exceeded state targets on:
- Index 1 Student Achievement by 16 points,
- Index 2 Student Progress by 21 points,
- Index 3 Closing Performance Gaps by 10 points and
- Index 4 Postsecondary Readiness by 20 points.
Additionally, five schools that were rated improvement required in 2016 met all standards in 2017: Norman and Pickle elementary schools, Dobie Middle School, Gus Garcia Young Men's Leadership Academy and Graduation Preparatory Academy at Lanier.
"The last few years' work has really paid off, but we still have a lot of work to do. We'll continue to focus on closing the achievement gaps as we begin the 2017-18 school year," said Chief Officer for Teaching and Learning Edmund Oropez.
For the third consecutive year, all AISD comprehensive high schools received a rating of met standard.
This year, four Austin ISD schools will receive preliminary ratings of improvement required, down from eight in 2016. The schools are: Burnet, Martin and Mendez middle schools and Govalle Elementary School.
The district is evaluating the results for all schools to determine if appeals of the improvement required ratings are warranted. Ratings are not official until after the appeals window closes and final accountability ratings are released in November.
For more information, visit the TEA's website at http://tea.texas.gov/accountability.