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Overall, VISD looks academically good

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  • By the Advocate Editorial Board
  • Originally published November 12, 2009 at 3:36 p.m., updated November 12, 2009 at 11:25 p.m.

First, the Victoria school district was scarred by the Texas Education Agency's "academically unacceptable" rating in July. Then an appeal by the district to change that status was denied in October.

TEA gave the rating based on the school district's economically disadvantaged completion rate at Memorial High School. MHS's completion rate was 67.4 percent, short of TEA's requirement of 75 percent - short but pretty close.

However, take notice, anybody planning to move to Victoria. Although the completion rate, or dropout rate, hurt the district's rating, we want you to know that 17 Victoria schools earned special recognition from TEA.

This recognition has everything to do with academics.

The schools won 45 Gold Performance acknowledgements in mastering TAKS curriculum and attendance.

Sadly, because the district and the high school were rated "academically unacceptable," they were not eligible for Gold Performance recognition, but we wonder how they would have done.

Superintendent Bob Moore said, "The Gold Performance Acknowledgements combined with our campus accountability ratings show a pretty accurate picture of VISD."

We agree. And that picture is one of academic excellence and improvement.

"What we get from these GPAs is an expanded look at our schools. We see that on the elementary level, our schools are excelling, and at the middle school level, our schools are improving every year. We are on the right path," Moore said.

Again, too bad the high school and district overall were ineligible, but we understand that would be a conflicting message from the TEA.

"We said as early as July that one of the unfortunate things that came along with the 'academically unacceptable' rating being attached to the entire district based on one accountability indicator was the disservice to all the hard work and progress of our schools.

"The GPAs point out the need to be mindful of everything that is happening in our school district," Moore said.

Moore said he realized more work needed to be done in the district and with students who are not achieving. "Still, it is nice to get an occasional pat on the back from TEA."

We applaud Moore and all in the district for the hard work.

We think, too, that the overall picture of the district should be much different than an "academic unacceptable" label.

This editorial reflects the views of the Victoria Advocate's editorial board.


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Comments

  • cowboykev cowboykev Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink

    hey now dangit! a 66 is purrrttty dang good aint it?...whoops...oh that was a 69!

    November 17, 2009 at 2:38 p.m.
  • superDad superDad Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink

    its just plain bias teaching in VISD. No, I did not say the magic word (prejudice)! A few years ago we failed to low african-american taks scores now its economic dis- kids. Why? You don't see that problem magnified in the Valley or maybe inner cities like Dallas or Houston. Just in little hicktoria. You guys want status-quo well then you get status-quo just like in a computer 'junk in junk out'.

    VISD can pad the result with more pleasing reports but the bottom line is still we in VISD get a "U".

    GO UIPERS GO!!! oops, VIPER

    November 17, 2009 at 1:24 p.m.
  • interested1 interested1 Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink

    Observer is right on with his views of where the real problems lie.

    Justataxpayer- it is so easy to criticize those around us. Noone would think that your scenario of 66 percent is good- especially for a surgeon. 66 is failing!! Remember, this rating was based on a very small percentage of the student population and further, there were wrong statistics included in TEA's figures. For instance, the child that died two years ago was part of the figures that brought the district down. The family just hadn't thought to get him off of the school roles. Understandable, huh? Imagine the errors!! Yet TEA would not reconsider and refigure.

    So the district moves forward....hopefully with the students as a priority and the passing negatives put aside. Hopefully, with the community behind the generation and the educators understanding the importance of the future ramifications.

    November 12, 2009 at 6:01 p.m.
  • fatboy fatboy Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink

    justataxpayer> could not have said it better.

    release him and his followers now. none of them are local and even understand Texas education. geez board what are you waiting for.

    November 12, 2009 at 5:01 p.m.
  • Observer Observer Report a ViolationReport a Violation Permalink

    Declaring the VISD to be "academically unacceptable" based upon its failure to reach a completely arbitrary, politically correct goal is the best argument I have heard, to date, for the need for a wholesale cleanup at the Texas State Board of Education. We need to start at the top and keep pitching out politically correct morons for as long as it takes to bring some sanity to this state agency.

    November 12, 2009 at 3:57 p.m.