Lancaster ISD (district, program)

[Acntx]

Originally Posted by southern living

I can understand why many are so frustrated with the TAKS. passing the TAKS only means the student met the minimum standards (if a child cannot meet these minimum standards i dont think they should graduate or be promoted) the students have multiple opportunities to take the exam. I am not a fan of TAKS but it allows teachers and students to be held accountable and makes sure graduates have met some kind of standard, even though some will argue that the standards are really too low.

Southern Living, I agree with what you are saying and don't have a problem with the TAKS test and its scores being used to hold teachers and students accountable. That is the whole purpose for having standardized tests. My problem is with the way that the ratings are frequently used as the only factor in determining perceptions of how "good" or "bad" a school or district is. People frequently don't look past the labels at the breakdown of scores by socio-economic group or grade, or the multi-year trends of a particular campus/school district. After reading through some of the posts on this forum, I have noticed another disturbing trend – how a school or district rated "Academically Acceptable" is seen as sub-par, even though the state regards it as passing.

I have been out of school for a few years now, but we had the same ratings system and a different test (TAAS). I attended schools that were rated "Acceptable", "Recognized", and "Exemplary". The entire school district was rated "Recognized" throughout my secondary years. In elementary and intermediate school, the campuses I attended were always rated "Acceptable". Despite the rating, both schools for the most part had good teachers who were committed to making sure we learned the essentials needed in later grades. The junior high I attended in 7th grade was a "Recognized" campus, but the overall environment and education was worse than that of the "Acceptable" schools I had attended previously. The next year, I transferred to the other junior high campus which was rated "Exemplary". It was better run and rating reflected that. Overall, I did receive a good education in DeSoto schools. What I am saying is that a higher rating doesn't necessarily mean that a child is going to get a better education than one attending a lower rated campus.

[Acntx]

Originally Posted by HelpTheKidsInLancasterTx

There are some good things about LISD. The extra reading is wonderful as that a lot of parents wouldnt make their kids do it unless its forced.

The summer/winter break required reading may be one of the district's best programs. The following tables show that LISD's Reading scores continue to rise and are generally in line with state averages. There is still room for more improvement, but the overall trend is positive. For the four subgroups (African-American, Hispanic, White, and Economically Disadvantaged), I included only those that were designated "analysis groups" used as a factor in determining a school's performance. The first number is the 2008 passing rate, followed by the 2007 passing rate in parentheses and the rate of improvement/decline between the two years.

"All Students" Category
Texas.....................91% (88%) +3
Lancaster ISD.............83% (80%) +3

Lancaster High School.....78% (76%) +2
Lancaster Middle School...87% (82%) +7
Belt Line Elementary......81% (79%) +2
Houston Elementary........80% (88%) -8
Lancaster Elementary......88% (83%) +5
Pleasant Run Elementary...88% (85%) +3
Rolling Hills Elementary..86% (80%) +6
Rosa Parks/Millbrook EL...83% (79%) +4
West Main Elementary......90% (78%) +12

African-American subgroup
Texas.....................87% (83%) +4
Lancaster ISD.............83% (80%) +3

Lancaster High School.....78% (76%) +2
Lancaster Middle School...88% (82%) +6
Belt Line Elementary......81% (79%) +2
Houston Elementary........80% (87%) -7
Lancaster Elementary......86% (84%) +2
Pleasant Run Elementary...89% (85%) +4
Rolling Hills Elementary..87% (80%) +7
Rosa Parks/Millbrook EL...81% (80%) +1

Hispanic subgroup
Texas.....................87% (84%) +3
Lancaster ISD.............83% (81%) +2

Lancaster High School.....77% (71%) +6
Lancaster Middle School...83% (84%) -1
Lancaster Elementary......94% (79%) +15
Pleasant Run Elementary...88% (89%) -1
West Main Elementary......92% (83%) +9

White subgroup
Texas.....................96% (95%) +1
Lancaster ISD.............87% (79%) +8

Economically Disadvantaged subgroup
Texas.....................86% (83%) +3
Lancaster ISD.............81% (78%) +3

Lancaster High School.....73% (73%) +0
Lancaster Middle School...87% (81%) +6
Belt Line Elementary......80% (76%) +4
Houston Elementary........81% (89%) -8
Lancaster Elementary......87% (81%) +6
Pleasant Run Elementary...88% (84%) +4
Rolling Hills Elementary..84% (81%) +3
Rosa Parks/Millbrook EL...82% (75%) +7
West Main Elementary......87% (76%) +11

[loves2read]

just remember that many of the economically disadvantaged group probably fall into either the Hispanic or the African American sub group as well so you are basically counting some of the same apples twice
there are only two schools that have a TAKS passing top score
there do seems to be definite improvements at some schools -- but with a 3 or 4% improvement rate (and even a 1% can be difficult to achieve) it is going to take 3 yyerars or so to really get optimum performance...
TX is switching to the end of course test exit exam soon for the secondary level
don't know how that will effect elementary or when it is phased in there--
when that happens if a student does not pass the exit level exam AND the normal semester/yearly course work there will be NO going to the next level...

Frankly I know that many students are barely passing in their classes and failing TAKS--I taught plenty of them as a hs English teachers--for the majority of them 90% or more--
they just did not care--they did not want to do the work, put in the time to learn the material---
the responsibility rests with the student and parents for most of them--lots of absenses, failure to do their work timely, discipline problems--parents who refuse to really set any standards for performance and enforce them--parents who lie for students who are cutting school--the list is as long as you want it...

I am so tired of people bellyaching about TAKS--most of the people who complain about it could not pass a TAKS test...even some of the ones with college degrees...
they just need to let the schools do their jobs and take their complaints to the state education agency and to the Congress--
the NoChildLeftBehind bill is really the problem....

and the amount of poverty that we have in the US is another enemy of education--I am not saying that children from low-income homes CAN'T learn I am just saying that it is such a struggle to compensate for what they have missed because of poverty in homes, lives, communities---
before birth and after birth--poverty starves the heart and mind as well as the body
give us a country where there are jobs for all people, jobs that pay a living wage--not just a minimum wage and you will see communities where children see a purpose to education and a reward for being a good student...
right now for some kids that is just talk...

[southern living]

Originally Posted by Acntx

Southern Living, I agree with what you are saying and don't have a problem with the TAKS test and its scores being used to hold teachers and students accountable. That is the whole purpose for having standardized tests. My problem is with the way that the ratings are frequently used as the only factor in determining perceptions of how "good" or "bad" a school or district is. People frequently don't look past the labels at the breakdown of scores by socio-economic group or grade, or the multi-year trends of a particular campus/school district. After reading through some of the posts on this forum, I have noticed another disturbing trend – how a school or district rated "Academically Acceptable" is seen as sub-par, even though the state regards it as passing.

I have been out of school for a few years now, but we had the same ratings system and a different test (TAAS). I attended schools that were rated "Acceptable", "Recognized", and "Exemplary". The entire school district was rated "Recognized" throughout my secondary years. In elementary and intermediate school, the campuses I attended were always rated "Acceptable". Despite the rating, both schools for the most part had good teachers who were committed to making sure we learned the essentials needed in later grades. The junior high I attended in 7th grade was a "Recognized" campus, but the overall environment and education was worse than that of the "Acceptable" schools I had attended previously. The next year, I transferred to the other junior high campus which was rated "Exemplary". It was better run and rating reflected that. Overall, I did receive a good education in DeSoto schools. What I am saying is that a higher rating doesn't necessarily mean that a child is going to get a better education than one attending a lower rated campus.

you are right. Im pulling my kids from recognized and exemplery rated schools. the schools have gotten really good at passing the test, but i know they are not giving their students a well rounded education

Politics has also corrupted public schools as far as ratings are concerned. for example, TEA gave exemptions to school districts this year. as a result, the ratings look alot better than they should. It also just happens to be an election year. i dont think that is out of coincedence

unfortunately, the taks is the only way for stake-holders to objectively rate school performance and compare schools

[HelpTheKidsInLancasterTx]

But all of this goes back to my question of what do we do to reach out to the kids that have fallen through the cracks? They have made grades just good enough to be promoted to the next grade but have not been passing the TAKS test. Now that LISD will no longer promote kids without passing the TAKS test in addition to just having the grades to pass, what happens to those kids who are now Sophmores, Juniors and Seniors that can't pass the test? Who cares that they will be discouraged about not passing and evenutally drop out? The test is about our kids future. I was at the meeting where they stated that only 50% of the kids passed the math TAKS. What happens to the other 50%? I'm not discounting anything anyone has said about the TAKS but no one is addressing the students that have fallen through the cracks. Those are the ones I would like to see someone help. Any suggestions? I will take these suggestions to the school to be addressed.

[HelpTheKidsInLancasterTx]

Originally Posted by loves2read

I am so tired of people bellyaching about TAKS--most of the people who complain about it could not pass a TAKS test...even some of the ones with college degrees...
they just need to let the schools do their jobs and take their complaints to the state education agency and to the Congress--
the NoChildLeftBehind bill is really the problem....

I'm not necessarily bellyaching vs trying to find SOMEBODY that will address the issue of the kids who just don't quite make it. Guess that would be Congress.

[Grainraiser]

If 50% of the kids can't pass the math portion I believe the math department has failed them. That is a very high precentage of students not being able to pass a standardized test. The short term solution would be to pair them up with math tutors to help them get to where they need to be. The longterm solution would be to revamp the math department going back to middle school level. Kids have to have a strong math foundation to build from. I am betting that foundation was never set and they were just being passed along from grade to grade until they hit the brick wall. If I was a parent my child would be enrolled in a math tutoring program and my child would be getting some intense help.

[HelpTheKidsInLancasterTx]

Loves2read, You're right. I am one of those KIDS who probably couldn't pass the TAKS test now. I was one of those kids who fell through the cracks. Fortunately/Unfortunately, I didn't have the TAKS test to call me out. I was one of those kids who was passed because the teacher knew my parents, knew my older brother and sisters, felt sorry for me or whatever you want to call it and just passed me. So I know first hand about kids falling through the cracks. It actually hurt me in the end because I didn't go to college. I just went to a trade school just to get out of the house because I wanted to be independent.....and I didn't graduate. Life for me was hard but I've been very blessed to be where I am. This is my drive for wanting to help the underdog. So I'm not bellyaching. Just trying to help reach the kids that noone thinks about when making these rules.

[Acntx]

Originally Posted by HelpTheKidsInLancasterTx

But all of this goes back to my question of what do we do to reach out to the kids that have fallen through the cracks? They have made grades just good enough to be promoted to the next grade but have not been passing the TAKS test. Now that LISD will no longer promote kids without passing the TAKS test in addition to just having the grades to pass, what happens to those kids who are now Sophmores, Juniors and Seniors that can't pass the test? Who cares that they will be discouraged about not passing and evenutally drop out? The test is about our kids future. I was at the meeting where they stated that only 50% of the kids passed the math TAKS. What happens to the other 50%? I'm not discounting anything anyone has said about the TAKS but no one is addressing the students that have fallen through the cracks. Those are the ones I would like to see someone help. Any suggestions? I will take these suggestions to the school to be addressed.

Using the TAKS test as a requirement for promotion is already being enforced in certain grades. Third graders must pass the Reading and Math portions of the TAKS test in order to be promoted to the fourth grade. Fifth graders and eighth graders must pass the Reading and Math portions of the test in order to be promoted to the sixth and ninth grades, respectively. Juniors in High School are required to pass all four portions (Math, English/Language Arts, Social Studies, and Science) in order to graduate. In Lancaster, the TAKS scores for students in these grades is usually higher than those in grades who don't have to pass it in order to be promoted. I guess the district thinks that if this is implemented at every grade level, then the scores will improve because students don’t want to be held back. Alone, it may not work, but with increased parental involvement, tutoring, and highly motivated teachers all creating the proper environment for success, it could yield positive results.

As for the Juniors and Seniors who don’t initially pass the test – most will simply retake it until they do pass all of the sections, others may be retained but eventually graduate, and a few will (unfortunately) give up and drop out. There was a national report on dropout rates released earlier this year that showed that many who start high school don't finish. In some cases, the report's dropout figures and those used by the Texas Education Agency (TEA) differed significantly and some districts disputed the report altogether. There was a story done on this by one of the local TV stations and it was one of the few times that Lancaster ISD was covered positively. It was noted that the district's dropout rate was much lower than other schools in the area with the same demographic and socio-economic makeup. When the superintendent was interviewed, I think he said that the district uses counselors as well as home visits to help combat the problem (it has been a while since the story was done, so I have forgotten the specifics).

By the way, I forgot to welcome you to the forum! It is nice to hear from another Lancaster resident. My brother is a student at the high school, so my family keeps up with the goings on in the district. From your posts, you seem to be a compassionate person who wants all children to succeed. Lancaster (or any other city in the Metroplex, in fact) needs more people with your positive, caring attitude.

[HelpTheKidsInLancasterTx]

Thank you! I'm often accused of caring too much! I often times take on battles that are not meant to be won just because I fight for those who don't think they have a voice/say and everybody just can't be helped (and I hate that!). I would just love for Lancaster ISD to be on top sometimes. At any rate, yesterday was the first day of school. My kids bought home a catalog of tutoring companies that LISD is offering to the children. LISD is footing the bill of these tutoring companies so they are FREE OF CHARGE to the children. That was great news to me!

In case you hadn't noticed, I LOVE KIDS! There are some kids in the neighborhood and at the high school that call me "moma" and I don't know their names. I just call them "my baby", hug'em, show'em that I care and wish them well.

In going through that book, there is GREAT HOPE for these kids now. These tutoring companies HIGHLY ENCOURAGE/RECOMMEND parental participation. They come to your home, your neighborhood churches or where ever they need to go to reach your children. Help is right there at their finger tips and it will not cost them a dime! I AM SOOOOO HAPPY NOW! I hope and pray that WE, the citizens and parents in LISD, take advantage of this. I know me and mine will.