Staff Reports
news@jacksonvilleprogress.com
Jacksonville Independent School District is excited about the Texas Education Agency’s release of state accountability ratings on Friday. The preliminary results were publicized in May, but the official data confirmed the good news for the district.
West Side Elementary, Fred Douglass Elementary and Joe Wright Elementary all received an Exemplary ratings, the Highest TEA score possible. East Side Elementary and Nichols Intermediate both earned a Recognized rating. Jacksonville Middle School and High School each hit Acceptable ratings.
Judy Terry, assistant superintendent for instruction and curriculum, said the school is elated about the accountability ratings for 2008-2009.
“Three exemplary campuses are something for us to shout about, then we add two recognized campuses to the mix,” Terry said. “Our other two acceptable campuses are very close to being recognized.”
Marc McCloud, JISD public relations official, said the requirement for Recognized is 75 percent on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test for each subject and student group, an 85 percent completion rate and an annual dropout rate of two percent or less.
“It looks like the science passing rates are what’s keeping them acceptable,” McCloud said. “It’s a statewide problem.”
As a whole, the district was judged as Acceptable. JISD’s goal was to be a Recognized district this year, but the improved scores and advancement show signs of progress.
Superintendent Dr. Joe Wardell said the results are tremendous.
“The improvement we’ve seen is a product of JISD’s continued commitment to academic achievement. The hard work and dedication of our students, parents and staff are clearly reflected in our ratings.”
West Side Elementary is the first JISD campus to earn Exemplary two years in a row. The school’s principal, Sandi Jones, attributed the success to “an amazing staff and students who come to school every day ready to give 100 percent”.
East Side Elementary maintained its Recognized rating while the other two elementary schools in the district, Fred Douglass and Joe Wright, went from Recognized to Exemplary. Nichols Intermediate also held at Recognized while Jacksonville Middle and High Schools barely missed the Recognized mark.
Terry said with the first day of school a few weeks away, JISD officials are expecting great things from the students in the coming school year.
“We are so proud of our students and staff and excited to see what the 2009-2010 year will bring,” Terry said.
Local News
JISD pleased by TAKS results with 3 campuses achieving Exemplary status
- Local News
-
-
County boasts 'pretty good' turnout
At the half-way mark of early voting for the May 29 primary, 1,485 Cherokee County voters turned in their ballots at the polls.
-
Organizations provide summer lunches for students
As schools approach summer vacation, Jacksonville has four locations offering free meals to students through the Summer Food Program.
-
Dome homes
Within the gated community of Lakewood in Cherokee County, homes are being built, ones so unique realtors can count how many they have seen on one hand.
-
Police seek burglary suspects
The Jacksonville Police Department is asking the public for help in identifying two suspects involved in a local store burglary.
-
Details being worked out to bring new industry
A few details are getting finalized before Freedom Equipment moves its headquarters to Jacksonville, creating job opportunities for residents.
-
Jacksonville ISD to discuss changing graduation requirements
After swearing in two new board members, Jacksonville ISD school board will discuss possibly removing health and technology from the graduation requirements on Monday at 6:30 p.m. in the Administration Building, 1541 Pine St.
-
Fake gun nets same charge as real ones
A Jacksonville man who brought a BB Gun to a fight was charged as if the gun was the real thing.
-
Donations sought to help cover homeless man's funeral costs
Family friends of a homeless man, who was found in poor medical condition on Tuesday, are asking the community for donations to help fund his funeral.
-
Today’s Tops in Texas Rodeo events
• Kids Day at the Park. 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. Hazel Tilton Park (Corner of Main and Hwy 79)
• Mutton Bustin'. Signup at 6:15 p.m. – Limited to first 10 entries. Sign up at the Rodeo Ticket Office at the Rodeo Arena.
• Rodeo. 7 pm.Tough Enough to Wear Pink & Cowboy Church. Rodeo Arena
-
Rusk gets first application by business for liquor sales
The city council canvassed the liquor election on Tuesday, officially starting the process for the hard liquor placement on store shelves.
- More Local News Headlines
-
County boasts 'pretty good' turnout
Franciscan Files Tell Stories of Priest Abuse
Wildfire Destroys 2 Homes
Flight Diverted After Suspicious Note
Panel Recommends Against Routine Prostate Test
Remains of Veterans Found in Basement Are Buried
Fired Lingerie Employee Claims Discrimination
Joplin Remembers Deadly Tornado, 1 Year Later
Serial Stabbings Suspect Guilty of Murder
Facebook Shares Continue Negative Slide
8 Hurt in Oklahoma Shooting After NBA Playoff
US Airways: Diverted Flight Has 'Landed Safely'
A Few Odd Business Sparks but Europe Gloomy
Revived Focus on Regulation After JPMorgan Loss
Gerard Butler: the Good, the Bad and the Cannes
At Least 25 Dead in India Train Collision
Raw Video: Private Rocket Blasts Off
Boy to Rescuers: 'Do You Have a Plan?'
Doctors and Devotees Debate Barefoot Running
Blacks Seek to Find Their Own Missing
Houston Museum Unveils $85 Million Dinosaur Hall
