Another high school comparison: Akins vs. Bowie (Austin, McKinney: neighborhoods, middle schools)

[Austinite101]

Originally Posted by austin-steve

The real question is whether or not Akins will ever become a school sought and requested by buyers. At present, it is not. We only hear buyers for whom schools matter ask about Bowie in the SW areas.

Let's suppose that Akins does start posting impressive numbers, the next shoe to drop would have to be the consumer (home purchasers) acknowledging that by requesting to see homes that feed into Akins. I haven't had any instances of that happening, ever. Maybe it will change in the future.

But more important than the high school stats are the stats of the elementary and middle schools that feed into Akins. High school quality is usually a forward-looking question for parents of elementary and middle school kids, and so the high school is a secondary concern, but they are thinking ahead. We don't get many people with a 10th and 11th grader looking for a new house. At that point in life, people tend to stay put and not move. But parents of elementary/middle schoolers always ask about high school as well.

I find it difficult to believe that Akins can outscore the schools that feed into it. What are the stats of the middle schools feeding into Akins (Bedichek, Bailey, Paredes)? How do those stats compare to the middle schools feeding into Bowie (Covington, Baily, Gorzycki)? Bailey splits to Akins/Bowie. The others feed exclusively to their respective high schools.


Steve

According to the current 2010 TEA ratings Akins and Bowie have both recieved a rating of Recognized. Among their feeder middle schools, both baily and paredes have also been rated as Recognized in the same 2010 TEA ratings. If you look at Akins' test scores ( as i have said before ) the large increases in scores is likely to continue as the trend shows. I have noticed that Bowie seems to be rebounding a bit too.

[Austinite101]

Originally Posted by JERiv

Not to be rude, but I have no idea how you can compare Akins and Bowie.

Greatschools.org
Akins - Rating of 4/10
Bowie - Rating of 9/10

Schoolmatters.com
Akins - Schoolwide Reading Proficiency: 79.4%; Schoolwide Math Proficiency: 54.4%
Bowie - Schoolwide Reading Proficiency: 93.3%; Schoolwide Math Proficiency: 85.1%

That's what people like me see when they look for houses. It's not even in the realm of being equal. Which is why the realtors like austin-steve aren't even getting inquiries about houses that feed to Akins.

These websites are delayed by a few years. I used to trust them too until i realized the large lag between the current reality of these schools acedemic performances.

[Austinite101]

I also agree that a new school in this area will indefinately skew the trends at both Bowie and Akins depending on where it is built and which school it will affect the most. Though there is no question that Bowie and Akins will meet eye to eye and be identical. Though im curious to know how the demographics of both these schools will play out in the near future. I know that Akins is predominately hispanic and Bowie is predominately white, and their acedemics are leveling out to each other too, but i would like to see what happens when the new school is build. What will it do too these schools? ( Oh and im not biased to either school. I am simply reviewing the facts about these high performing Austin high schools).

[austin-steve]

Originally Posted by Austinite101

According to the current 2010 TEA ratings Akins and Bowie have both recieved a rating of Recognized. Among their feeder middle schools, both baily and paredes have also been rated as Recognized in the same 2010 TEA ratings. If you look at Akins' test scores ( as i have said before ) the large increases in scores is likely to continue as the trend shows. I have noticed that Bowie seems to be rebounding a bit too.

Yes, but as outlined earlier in the thread, there are two standards for the rating system, so you can't trust "Recognized" on face. You have to dig deeper.

Steve

[Austinite101]

Originally Posted by austin-steve

Yes, but as outlined earlier in the thread, there are two standards for the rating system, so you can't trust "Recognized" on face. You have to dig deeper.

Steve

This is true, but both these schools have acheived this status is the same way. You can get this status in one of two ways. The first is the absolute standard which is the way bowie and akins have gotten a recognized status. The second is with TPM( Texas Projection Measure). This way has been controversial because many argue that this way is an unaccurate measure of the current condition of the school.

[JERiv]

Originally Posted by Austinite101

These websites are delayed by a few years. I used to trust them too until i realized the large lag between the current reality of these schools acedemic performances.

Agreed.

There is another website, Schoolmatters, which doesn't rank, but does post the pass rates on State Tests for Schoolwide Reading/Math Proficiency.

HS.......Reading......Math.....Students/Teacher.....Enrollment
Bowie.......93.3%.....85.1%....................... .18.1.............2,776
Akins........79.4%.....54.4%...................... ..15.8.............2,452

However, it looks like the rates are for 2008.

[riaelise]

I wouldn't get bent out of shape over a school getting Exemplary/Recognized based on TPM. Murchison, the school in P-ville that my daughter is zoned to currently, has always been recognized, and I believe exemplary once. This year, it achieved exemplary status with the sidebar of "RI/TPM". Yet, if you look at the 2010 TAKS scores across the board, all are over 90% (probably closer to mid-high 90s). I don't think kids are getting a free ride. Also, Westwood is Exemplary due to TPM. Who would argue here that Westwood isn't an exemplary school?

[jobert]

Originally Posted by JERiv

Agreed.

There is another website, Schoolmatters, which doesn't rank, but does post the pass rates on State Tests for Schoolwide Reading/Math Proficiency.

HS.......Reading......Math.....Students/Teacher.....Enrollment
Bowie.......93.3%.....85.1%....................... .18.1.............2,776
Akins........79.4%.....54.4%...................... ..15.8.............2,452

However, it looks like the rates are for 2008.

That's bogus information. That might have been from 2007, maybe. Whenever these schools are compared, why do people in SW austin keep pretending that the last 4 years haven't happened?

Moderator cut: off topic Let me correct Moderator cut: off topicfor you:

HS.......Reading......Math..
Akins........87%..........72%

[JERiv]

I'm quoting the scores from the schoolmatters website. Not my fault if they don't have their act together. Moderator cut: off topic
I looked it up on the AISD website Moderator cut: off topic and the latest numbers on the site are:

2009
HS.......Reading......Math.........All (reading/math/social studies/science)
Akins........87%..........66%......57%
Bowie.......96%..........88%......84%

And on 2008, the ACTUAL #s, per AISD, are:

HS.......Reading......Math..
Akins........81%..........58%

Not sure where you're getting 87/72 from. If it's the 2010 test results, please link, as I'd like to see that info for Bowie as well. Moderator cut: off topic

[jobert]

Originally Posted by JERiv

Not sure where you're getting 87/72 from. If it's the 2010 test results, please link, as I'd like to see that info for Bowie as well. Moderator cut: off topic

This has been covered in depth (with links) on another thread:

Austin public school ratings - 2010

Moderator cut: off topic, personal attack