SAISD Gold Performance Acknowledgements

1. SAISD Gold Performance Acknowledgements SAISD Board Report Office of Research and Evaluation

2. Purpose of Gold Performance Acknowledgements • The Texas Education Agency (TEA) issues Gold Performance Acknowledgements to campuses and districts which have exceeded standards set at the highest levels in areas not addressed in the basic accountability system. • TEA uses a new method of scoring with the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test. The use of a “scale score” helps determine how students are doing. TAKS is more difficult than the former Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) test, so we have a better measure for students scoring at the highest levels. • A scale score of 2200 (with a 3 on writing or the writing portion of the English Language Arts exam) is considered on track for "college readiness.” • A scale score of 2400 earns a “Commended” score, a very high standard.

3. 2003 – 2004 Gold Performance Acknowledgements Announced • The Texas Education Agency announced districts and campuses given Gold Performance Acknowledgements for outstanding performance on a variety of indicators in December 2004. • The San Antonio Independent School District was acknowledged because we graduated 77.3% of the Class of 2003 under the Recommended High School Program. The state graduated only 63.7% on this more advanced academic schedule. The 77.3% was a 13 point increase over the 63.8% rate for the Class of 2002. • 43 of the 88 or 49% of regular SAISD campuses received acknowledgments (53% of campuses statewide earned these awards) with most campuses receiving recognition in two or more areas. The District also received an acknowledgement for the Recommended High School Program.

4. 2003 – 2004 Gold Performance Acknowledgement Standards • Advanced Course Completion: In 2002 – 03, 25% or more of 9th – 12th graders received credit for at least one Advanced Course (“All students” and by “group”). This award is based on students receiving “dual credit” by enrolling in a course which acquires both high school and college credit, Advanced Placement Courses, International Baccalaureates courses, or various other high level courses such as Calculus or fourth year foreign language. • Attendance Rate: In 2002 – 03 elementary schools had an attendance rate of 97% or higher; districts, multi-level schools, and middle schools had an attendance rate of 96% or higher; and high schools had an attendance rate of 95% or higher (“All students”). • Recommended High School Program: In 2002 – 03 50% or more of graduates met or exceeded the requirements for the Recommended High School Program or the Distinguished Achievement Program. • Commended: At least 20% or more of students scored at the “Commended” Level on TAKS in a given subject (“All students” and by “group”).

5. 2003 – 2004 Gold Performance Acknowledgement Standards • Commended Performance Reading/ELA – 26% of campuses statewide received this acknowledgement, while 22% (19) campuses in SAISD were acknowledged. • Commended Performance Mathematics – 16% of campuses statewide received this acknowledgement, while 13% (11) campuses in SAISD were acknowledged. • Commended Performance Writing – 21% of campuses statewide received this acknowledgement, while 11% (10) campuses in SAISD were acknowledged. • Commended Performance Science – 10% of campuses statewide received this acknowledgement, while 1% (1) campus in SAISD was acknowledged. • Commended Performance Social Studies – 7% of campuses statewide received this acknowledgement, while 2% (2) campuses in SAISD were acknowledged.

6. Percentage of SAISD and State Students at Commended 2003 - 2004 +3 +4 +5 +5 +6 +9 +3 +6 +5 +8SAISD Growth/ State Growth

7. Percentage of SAISD and State Students (Economically Disadvantaged) at Commended 2004

8. SAISD 2003 – 2004 Gold Performance Acknowledgements *Brackenridge was one of only 112 (1.4%) of schools statewide that qualified for this acknowledgement.

9. SAISD 2003 – 2004 Gold Performance Acknowledgements

10. SAISD 2003 – 2004 Gold Performance Acknowledgements

11. SAISD 2003 – 2004 Gold Performance Acknowledgements

12. SAISD 2003 – 2004 Gold Performance Acknowledgements

13. In Summary • Approximately 50% of eligible SAISD schools earned a Gold Performance Acknowledgement. • At the District level we are making gains in the number of students scoring at the “Commended Level.” We matched performance with the state for economically disadvantaged students with one percentage point more gain in writing and social studies than the state, and one percentage point less gain in math. • When compared to urban districts San Antonio did well in math, writing, science, and social studies. San Antonio was below the midpoint of scores only in reading, despite our much larger ratio of economically disadvantaged students.

14. In Summary • The District and District high schools made significant progress toward the Recommended High School Diploma standard, with both considerable growth over prior year and higher percentages of students in this standard than the state. • A number of schools showed top performance for 20% or more of the tested population, and the District compares favorably with the state economically disadvantaged population. • Brackenridge High School has achieved an extraordinary acknowledgement with 29.5% of students acquiring credit in advanced classes, while only 19.7% of students statewide achieved this status. • Arnold Elementary earned Gold Performance Acknowledgements in every eligible category.