December 13, 2007

News Release

Tyler ISD Schools Identified by the State Public Education Grant

Four Tyler ISD campuses have been identified by the state Public Education Grant (PEG) for this year.  The Public Education Grant (PEG) identifies campuses at which 50 percent or more of all students did not pass TAKS in any two of the preceding three years or were rated Academically Unacceptable in 2005, 2006, or 2007 under the statewide accountability system.   

As reflective of the state data, Math and Science were the reasons that our campuses were unacceptable with this rating.  The rating, however, is based upon the last three years of data and two of the campuses, Griffin and John Tyler did not have scores at or below 50% this past year. 

Gains in scores:
 

Science Passing Rates:       2005                2006                2007                3 YR Increase

Griffin (5^th Grade)                    18%                 51%                 54%                 +36%

John Tyler (11^th Grade)           49%                 54%                 70%                 +21%

John Tyler (ALL Grades)         38%                 45%                 44%                 +6%

Math Passing Rates:                        2005                2006                2007                3 YR Increase

Dogan Middle School              38%                 52%                 50%                 +12%

Stewart Middle School            36%                 46%                 47%                 +11%

As evident by the gains over the past three years, much effort has gone into providing quality education on each campus with the focus on improved performance.   Tyler ISD has also implemented systemic reform in Math and Science instruction this

year which includes staff development for teachers, materials and resources for students, and a restructuring of math and science lessons to provide more engagement and higher level thinking. 

“We recognize that we are making gains, but we are not at the level that is acceptable for our students,” said Kim Tunnell, Director of Curriculum and Instruction.  “We will continue to make needed changes in instruction and support for our students that over the next three years will reduce the number of Tyler ISD schools that do not meet both state and federal standards. “