Friday, August 01, 2008
By Wendy Gragg
Tribune-Herald staff writer
State ratings of Waco schools, released Thursday by the Waco Independent School District, are a mixed bag this year, with more campuses gravitating toward “recognized” and “academically unacceptable” labels.
The ratings are based largely on test results from the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills. Schools may score “academically unacceptable,” “academically acceptable,” “recognized” and “exemplary.”
J.H. Hines and Provident Heights elementary schools fell into the “unacceptable” category, while Brook Avenue and Doris Miller garnered that lowest rating for yet another year. G.L. Wiley Middle School was found “academically unacceptable” for a fifth consecutive year.
School officials said the district will appeal the Brook Avenue rating, claiming a couple of passing TAKS tests were dropped by the state, causing the school to miss the “acceptable” mark by a percentage point.
The fate of chronically low-performing Wiley Middle School will be discussed at a special Aug. 7 school board meeting. Campus closure is among the options under consideration.
Waco ISD added Bell’s Hill, Dean Highland, Parkdale and West Avenue elementary schools to the ranks of its “recognized” schools. With Hillcrest PDS, Kendrick, Mountainview, Viking Hills and Lake Waco maintaining their “recognized” status, the district now has nine campuses securing the second-highest rating offered by the state.
The 17 remaining campuses earned “academically acceptable” ratings, as did the district.
Superintendent Roland Hernandez said the district is proud of the gains but recognizes the need for vast improvement throughout WISD.
“Our focus will be continuing to strengthen our curriculum and professional development, especially in the critical areas of math and science,” he said.
The bulk of the state’s school ratings will be available after 1 p.m. today.
Comments
By DDD
Aug 1, 2008 5:50 PM | Link to this
I was in the district for eleven years before leaving nine years ago due to the low pay for papraprofessionals. I SAW not HEARD things I didn't like and I made sure that when I had a house built it was in another district for this purpose. Yes, I'm a product of WISD, but times have changed since I graduated. I pray for the children.
By Marsha's Neighbor
Aug 1, 2008 4:03 PM | Link to this
Marsha Ridlehueber is a joke, she is over accountability yet has not paid her property taxes.!! Some example she sets!!!
Of course our very own leader Dr. Hernandez, was late paying his property taxes and only paid when it was made public
Who do they think they are???
By null
Aug 1, 2008 3:07 PM | Link to this
I think WISD needs alot of HELP and alot of improvements. They have alot of things backwards. The ones who need to be wearing uniforms are not Elm. kids but all Middle and High school students. They are the ones who need to focus on their education more. Instead of who is wearing what. I hope the new staff at Waco High and Lake Air make major improvements. Because they need it. If I could afford it, I would have moved out of WISD too. Most of the schools are just to ghetto. And they have none of their mess together. WACO all together is getting so BAD!
By Doc E
Aug 1, 2008 1:33 PM | Link to this
The entire board and all the educational bureaucrats in the "Ivory Tower" on Franklin Avenue are a joke and should all be sent packing.
Rankings like these warrant a $ 15,000 raise for the Superintendent?
Boy, I am glad I left Waco ISD and went to Midway ISD years ago. Waco ISD is a sinking ship with no life rafts.
By unknown
Aug 1, 2008 10:26 AM | Link to this
I think you need to look at the leaders over these programs. Namely Marsha Ridlehueber she does nothing to boost moral or help anyone in the district. It's time for a new person to bring a fresh perspective.
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