Schools get best ratings

The Clarendon and Hedley school districts met the state standards according to state accountability ratings released last week.

Districts, campuses and charters receive one of three ratings under the accountability system: Met Standard, Met Alternative Standard, or Improvement Required. Both Clarendon and Hedley were rated as “Met Standard.”

“The 2015 state accountability system takes into account a number of factors unique to the 2014-2015 school year,” said Commissioner of Education Michael Williams. “As in previous years, most districts, charters, and campuses met the state standards, which reflects well on our public education system and for the economic future of our state.”

Hedley Superintendent Colby Waldrop said he was pleased with the report.

“We’re happy that our teachers and kids worked hard, and we got the highest rating available,” Waldrop said.

Clarendon Superintendent Mike Norrell said the high rating was due to a combine effort.

“It’s a reflection of the hard work of teachers, kids, and parents and the support of the community,” Norrell said. “It takes everybody.”

Clarendon High School earned a single Gold Star for distinction for Reading/English-Language Arts, and the Junior High campus earned a Gold Star for distinction in Mathematics. Clarendon Elementary earned two Gold Stars for distinction for Reading/English-Language Arts and for scoring in the top 25 percent of Closing Performance Gaps.

Hedley schools earned two Gold Stars for scoring in the top 25 percent of Closing Performance Gaps and for Postsecondary readiness.

“Earning any type of distinction under the state accountability system is commendable and should be a source of pride in that community,” said Texas Education Commissioner Michael Williams. “Achieving all seven distinctions on a campus or a district-level postsecondary readiness distinction reflects extraordinary work while affirming a strong commitment to students.”

Norrell said schools are getting a break on test results this year as the state begins its new accountability system. Clarendon Junior High fell three points short of its goal in one area “Student Progress,” an area that Norrell said is always a challenge.

“Student progress is based on how they grow from one year to the next, and that growth is determined by how they perform on that one test,” he said.

Parents and the general public seeking a quick overview of the state accountability system and what goes into the annual ratings of schools, districts and charters can watch an informational animation video at http://youtu.be/cbEgrdijuc8.

To view the 2015 ratings, visit the Texas Education Agency website at http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/account/2015/index.html.