IISD Projecting Exemplary, Recognized Schools

Irving ISD is projected to receive an Academically Acceptable 2010 accountability rating from the Texas Education Agency (TEA). Ratings will be officially released by the TEA on July 30, 2010.

The IISD is forecasting two Exemplary Schools and 19 Recognized Schools. John Haley Elementary School and Schulze Elementary School have been identified as Exemplary Schools. Nineteen Recognized Schools include: Irving High School, MacArthur High School, Singley Academy, Austin Middle School, Bowie Middle School, Crockett Middle School, de Zavala Middle School, Houston Middle School, Lamar Middle School, Travis Middle School, Brandenburg Elementary School, Britain Elementary School, Brown Elementary School, Farine Elementary School, Good Elementary School, Keyes Elementary School, Lively Elementary School, Stipes Elementary School, and Townley Elementary School. All other schools are expected to be Academically Acceptable although additional testing data to be released could potentially improve a school rating.

Click on graph for full sized image.

Percentage of students meeting TAKS passing standard.

School ratings are based on student performance on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge & Skills tests, which include reading, writing, social studies, mathematics and science at various grade levels. Additional rating factors include the completion rate and annual dropout rate at the secondary school level. According to testing data, Irving ISD met all the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) standards for the Recognized rating, but fell below the 85 percent Completion Rate I standard by one percentage point (IISD had an 84 percent completion rate) in one of five accountability groups. IISD also had 151 (one more than allowed) students listed by TEA as “underreported” in 2009. TEA allows a maximum of 150 underreported students for Recognized or Exemplary ratings. 

 “It is most important to note that our TAKS scores have improved in four of the five tested areas and we have good grounds for appeal to improve the Academically Acceptable rating,” according to Dr. Dana T. Bedden, superintendent of schools. “We may appeal on the basis of discrepancies found between the IISD data and the data supplied by TEA for both Completion Rate I and underreported students.”

For a school to earn the Exemplary rating, students must average 90 percent on all tests. In addition, high schools must have a four-year completion rate of 95 percent and middle schools must have an annual dropout rate of 1.8 percent or less. For a school to attain the Recognized rating, students must average 80 percent on all tests. In addition, high schools must have a four-year completion rate of 85 percent and middle schools must have an annual dropout rate of 1.8 percent or less.

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Academy HOSA Chapter Wins at Nationals

Students in the Health Occupations Students of America (HOSA) chapter from Singley Academy won top awards at the HOSA National Leadership Conference June 22‑27.

For the third consecutive year, the Academy Senior group was recognized as Outstanding HOSA Chapter. Represented by 2010 graduate Nasrul Bhuiyan, the chapter presented a plan of yearly activities that aligns with the goals and purpose of HOSA. Activities benefit HOSA members, the school, the community, and include participation in state events.

In addition to senior chapter representatives, Emil Kalloor received national recognition in the Kaiser Healthcare Issues Exam. The exam requires students to investigate, analyze and apply their knowledge of current healthcare-related issues.  Academy students and faculty attending and competing at the conference included Nicole Akpunku and Farhan Sahawneh, HOSA advisor Debra Johnson and Vice Principal Manual Reyes.

The HOSA National Leadership Conference provides a showcase for students’ talents through the competitive events program. At this year’s conference, more than 5,000 competitors participated in 57 events. In the organization’s 24th year of existence, HOSA has more than 120,000 members.

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Educational Futurist Addresses IISD Faculty

Marc Prensky, noted international speaker, writer and educational futurist, delivered the keynote address during the 2010 IISD Summer Technology Sessions at Singley Academy June 9-11.

Marc Prensky, noted international speaker, writer and educational futurist, addresses IISD staff and faculty at Singley Academy June 9.

Prensky's presentation to IISD administrators and technology faculty was focused toward preparing students to take the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) versus teaching students according to National Educational Technology Standards for Students (NET-S). Prensky said schools can make education better for kids by dealing with real issues. He also advised that curriculum writers should look at things from kids' perspective in deciding if lessons are worthwhile.

To compare TAKS and NETS, Prensky said TAKS prepares students for when they leave "us" - meaning moving on to future grade levels - and NETS prepare students for the rest of their lives. He said the two are related and mutually supporting, and that curriculum writers shouldn't have to sacrifice one to teach the other. Also during the technology sessions, Prensky delivered small-group presentations regarding engaging "digital natives" and teaching for the 21st century. Digital Natives is a term Prensky coined to describe students who have lived their entire lives with technology available to them constantly, both at home and at school.

In addition to the presentations by Prensky, small-group sessions were led by IISD teachers and national instructional technology thinkers. Presentations addressed web-based resources, learning management systems and desktop computing applications.

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Good Joins No Excuses Network

Good Elementary School has recently been accepted into the No Excuses University (NEU) Network.

Faculty and staff at Good worked throughout the year to establish and refine six exceptional systems required. The systems are culture of universal achievement, collaboration, standards alignment, assessments, data analysis and interventions. Also included as part of the preparations, each class at Good adopted and researched a college or university throughout the year and stressed the importance of higher education.

Faculty, staff and students prepared an application and video throughout the year. As part of the NEU Network, teachers and administrators will have the opportunity to network with personnel at other NEU schools.

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Teachers Read, Score National AP Exams

Five Irving ISD teachers participated in an annual reading and scoring of Advanced Placement (AP) exams during the month of June.

Administered by the College Board, AP classes give more than 1.5 million high school students the opportunity to take rigorous, college-level courses and examinations. The five IISD faculty members were Helen Bradley, Brenda Gambill, Susan Little, James McCalip and Judith Nevil. IISD faculty were among more than 10,000 AP readers from universities and high schools.

According to Trevor Packer, vice president of the AP program, the reading program draws upon teachers and professors to foster professionalism, exchange ideas, and strengthen commitment to students and teaching. Readers nationwide evaluated more than 2.9 million AP exams from more than 30 courses.

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ISF Golf Tournament Successful

The Irving Schools Foundation (ISF) held its first golf tournament at the Las Colinas Country Club June 21, exceeding fundraising goals by 25 percent.

More than 130 players, 20 volunteers and staff, and more than 30 sponsors participated. The event was dedicated to the memory of Jordan Luddeke, former Irving High School student, who was killed in a car accident five years ago. Proceeds from the event supported Luddeke’s scholarship, as well as other scholarships and teacher grants.

Since its inception in 1985, the Foundation has awarded more than $2 million in teacher grants and student scholarships. Current ISF programs include teacher grants, student scholarships, excellence awards, and school site grants. For more information about the Irving Schools Foundation and upcoming events, contact Brittney Rogers, ISF development manager, at 972-600-5018 or access www.irvingisd.net/foundation.

ISF golf tournament first place winners are Michael Bannon, Chad Moscovic, Jim McIntyre, and Christian Young.

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Teacher Grants Awarded

Two Irving ISD teachers were awarded grants for the month of June in the Grants to Teachers program from Irving Schools Foundation (ISF).

Teachers and the grants they received are: Cletse Long, Thomas Haley Elementary School, Sing to Read; and Megan Duranleau, Crockett Middle School, Play Away Towards Literacy.

ISF Grants to Teachers are awarded three times during the school year to teachers who propose innovative and creative projects that pilot a program, test a theory, enhance learning, and are measurable in terms of results with students’ learning performance. For IISD teachers interested in more information regarding applying for grants to teachers, access www.irvingisd.net/foundation/teachoverview.html.

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