LISD educators, campuses recognized for high test scores

By LPR Staff
Editor/POST-REGISTER

One small step forward for many students made one giant leap forward for the Lockhart Independent School District this year when the Texas Education Agency (TEA) announced the 2006-2007 Accountability Ratings.
Accountability ratings are based on district students” overall scores on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and S

kills (TAKS) tests, and are meant to demonstrate the quality of education students receive within a district. Lockhart, while listed as an “Academically Acceptable” district, is home to five Recognized campuses.
To achieve a “Recognized” status, students at that campus must either meet a 75-percent standard for each subject tested through TAKS, or a 70 percent “floor” (minimum passing rate) and a Required Improvement standard. Dropout rates and completion rates are also factored into campus ratings.
Once again, Lockhart Junior High School, Navarro Elementary and Plum Creek Elementary were recognized campuses. For the first time, Bluebonnet Elementary and the Lockhart Freshman Campus were also recognized. Clear Fork Elementary, recognized last year, missed a “Recognized” status by a narrow margin, an announcement Interim Superintendent Susan Brooks said was “heartbreaking” for the faculty and staff of an “excellent school.”
“Overall, we”re totally pleased with all of the campuses,” Brooks said. “There are still a few places where we need some improvement, and plans for those improvements are under way.”
Lockhart High School, the Lockhart Pride School and Clear Fork Elementary were all listed as “Academically Acceptable.” No campus in the district fell into the “unacceptable” range.
“It was an incredible year,” said LISD Board President Gary Allen. “It was outstanding. We didn”t exceed our expectations, because those are the kind of results we expect, but we are very pleased and proud of our campuses, our teachers and our students.”
Allen said the Board of Trustees and LISD administrators often aim high where TAKS tests are concerned, in the hopes students will get all they can from their education in LISD.
“We don”t want our kids to just get past the test,” Allen said. “We want them to learn and take away with them more than that, so they have everything they need to be successful in any avenue they pursue.”
Allen noted despite the success, the Board and Administrators are looking forward and hoping for even better results down the line.
“We”re looking at next year, at two and three years from now,” he said. “Our principals come in and say “this is where we are now, and that”s good, but this is where we want to be in one year, in two years….” We aren”t running a 100-yard dash, we”re looking at 120 yards.”
Allen, Brooks and many other officials recognized the faculties and staffs of each of the five recognized campuses, as well as many teachers whose students scored in the “exemplary” range on last year”s TAKS tests, during the District-Wide Back to School Inservice on Monday.