Katy ISD Earns “Recognized” Rating from TEA

(August 5, 2008) – Outstanding student achievement in 2007-08 produced a “Recognized” accountability rating for the Katy Independent School District, a “grade” earned by just over one in four (27.8%) of the state’s 1,030 public school districts.

On the 2008 Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS), districtwide performance for all students tested in all grades reached the “Exemplary” level (90%-plus) in reading/language arts (96.2%), math (90.3%), writing (97.0%) and social studies (96.4%), and the “Recognized” level (80%-plus) in science (86.1%). On 25 TAKS performance indicators (five student groups tested in each of five subject areas), Katy ISD reached the “Exemplary” level on 18, “Recognized” on four and “Acceptable” on three.

Seven out of nine campuses in Katy ISD (35 of 45) earned “Exemplary” or “Recognized” ratings in 2008.  Sixteen (35.6%) are ranked “Exemplary”; 19 (42.2%) are “Recognized”; and 10 (22.2%) are “Acceptable”; compared to statewide data, which shows that 12.4% of public schools are rated “Exemplary”; 35.1% are “Recognized”; and 42% are “Acceptable.” (The remainding 10.5% are “Unacceptable” or not rated.)

Katy ISD is one of the most populous and diverse districts in Texas to earn the coveted rating. The district had a 2007-08 student enrollment of 53,560, with 49.2% minorities and 25% economically disadvantaged. According to Texas Education Agency data, 46% of the state’s 287 “Recognized” districts have a total enrollment of less than 500. Approximately 56% have less than 30% minority enrollment, while 27% have less than 40% low-income students. Only 19 “Recognized” districts have 10,000 or more students.

Superintendent Alton Frailey gave credit for the upgraded rating to a “team effort” throughout the district. “This is truly a notable accomplishment, one toward which every single person in the district has made a contribution.  I cannot say enough to commend the tireless efforts of our teachers, principals, and campus staff, aided by central office support personnel, other employees, parents, and community members. A combination of data utilization, diligence and daring has been the driving force.”

“While we celebrate this recent success,” he continued, “we know that our work is far from over. We will continue to focus on ‘True North,’ with the goal of higher levels of performance for every single child.”

An analysis of 2007 test data, which resulted in an “Acceptable” rating for the district, indicated that “science was the issue,” according to Linda Helbach, Executive Director for Curriculum, Professional Learning and Educational Technology. “We brought together integrated physics and chemistry (IPC) and biology teachers who had gotten the best results and created a sharing session to see what worked and what needed to be done. Based on these findings, the group produced products including critical labs, integrated lessons incorporating objectives from IPC and biology, and core objective tests to monitor student progress.”

“The strategy worked,” said Chief Academic Officer Dr. Elizabeth Clark, “because teachers and administrators made the commitment to follow the plan and use the products. Campuses met in the early summer to share, in more depth, specific things they had done to support the district initiative.  Our high school summit was expanded to include eighth grade for the upcoming year.  Following the same model, the junior high teachers and administrators have become part of the KISD Science Initiative.”

“To maintain this success,” Clark continued, “we will continue to analyze data and offer the collaboration and support needed for teachers and administrators.”

Katy ISD’s “Exemplary” campuses for 2007-08 are Alexander Elementary, Creech Elementary, Exley Elementary, Fielder Elementary, Griffin Elementary, Hayes Elementary, Hutsell Elementary, Katy Elementary, Kilpatrick Elementary, Nottingham Country Elementary, Pattison Elementary, Rylander Elementary, Williams Elementary, Winborn Elementary, WoodCreek Elementary and McMeans Jr. High.

“Recognized” campuses are Bear Creek Elementary, Cimarron Elementary, Franz Elementary, King Elementary, Mayde Creek Elementary, McRoberts Elementary, Memorial Parkway Elementary, Rhoads Elementary, Schmalz Elementary, Stephens Elementary, Sundown Elementary, West Memorial elementary, Wolfe Elementary, Beck Jr. High, Beckendorff Jr. High, Cinco Ranch Jr. High, Memorial Parkway Jr. High, Cinco Ranch High School and Seven Lakes High School.

“Acceptable” campuses are Golbow Elementary, Katy Jr. High, Mayde Creek Jr. High, McDonald Jr. High, Morton Ranch Jr. High, West Memorial Jr. High, Katy High School, Mayde Creek High School, Morton Ranch High School and Taylor High School. Raines High School, the districtwide dropout prevention and recovery campus, received an “Acceptable” rating under state criteria for alternative education sites.