High School Avoids Low Rating; French Says Much Work Ahead

W.H. Ford High School is off the Texas Education Agency’s ratings hook for this year.

Quinlan ISD school officials initially thought the high school would fall into the "academically unacceptable" category, but an exception granted by the TEA means that campus is on the "academically acceptable" list instead.

QISD Superintendent Michael French confirmed the information earlier this week.

"The state allows some one-time exceptions and (Ford High School) fell under that," he said.

However, French added that the situation underscored the need for significant improvements in academic achievement.

"This is a reminder that there is a lot of work to be done, and there will be a renewed and tremendous focus on academic achievement over the next few years," he said. "There will be a strong push toward that.

"Acceptable is not acceptable," French continued. "Our kids deserve better and we will do better. There will be continued reconfiguring and expanding of our curriculum department to give teachers the support systems they need, and to monitor and hold everyone accountable for student performance."

C.B. Thompson Middle School and A.E. Butler Intermediate School also earned "acceptable" ratings this year, while D.C. Cannon Elementary scored high enough to take a "recognized" rating.

TEA accountability ratings are based on several factors, including the school’s results on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test, graduation rates and dropout rates. This data is further analyzed by ethnicity groups, economically disadvantaged students and special education students.

Ratings range from "exemplary," the highest, to "academically unacceptable," the lowest. Schools in the "academically unacceptable" can face state sanctions that range from assignment of a Campus Improvement Team to closure if the school falls into the lowest ranking in multiple years.

However, this year the TEA granted exceptions — it could be thought of as a one-time forgiveness — for cases where failing to meet the minimum standard in one statistical area would cause the school to fall into the low-performing category. Ford High School was granted an exception in TAKS Math scores for economically disadvantaged students.

Statewide, math and science scores continued to the bane for most campuses and Quinlan ISD’s schools were among those.

"In math and science, we have some definite gaps in learning we will have to address," French said. "That said, where there is a will, there is a way."

French said he had a successful experience in bringing up TAKS scores in Scurry-Rosser ISD, where he was superintendent for five years before taking over Quinlan ISD in July.

"This year (2007-2008) Scurry-Rosser was the highest performing district in Kaufman County. It can be done. I want to take some of those initiatives that were successful at Scurry-Rosser and bring them here," he said.

French said expanding the vocational program, including the addition of a teacher and a new half-day of auto mechanics, should help between 30 to 40 students and keep them in school. He also said a math strategist has been added for the high school to help with TAKS preparations and to assist teachers.

"We’re going to do whatever it takes to get the kids where they need to be," French said.

The superintendent also said he was pleased to see progress in various scores at the middle school and elementary school.

On Cannon Elementary’s "recognized" rating, French said, "That is definitely a positive for our district. A lot of our first graders are reading on grade level. We’ve got good things in the works and we will get there."