Scores above average in 18 of 22 areas

Except for a few areas, Albany ISD end-of-course (EOC) and STAAR scores stayed above the state testing averages, which were released  along with Region 14 averages last week.

Local scores were received a little earlier, but have continued to change a little as the state sends out re-calculations, according to district testing coordinator Leigh Lowe.

“We are still receiving updates, as the state takes into account those students who were not in our district on the date that is used for accountability purposes,” said Lowe. “The numbers we’re reporting this week may change slightly, but this is as close as we know at this time.”

State Comparisons

Albany’s preliminary standardized test results showed performances above the state average in 18 of the 22 exams given to third through 11th graders during this school year.

Two of those results, eighth grade science and social studies, were also low last year.

The other two, secondary U.S. history and seventh grade reading, were only a few points below the state numbers.

“After reviewing the data, overall our campus averages were close to previous scores,” said Lowe. “We are always pleased with the hard work our students, teachers, and staff do to get these results, and we will continue to look for ways to keep up with the rigor of state testing.”

Secondary principal Edward Morales agreed that the district will keep working to find ways to better prepare both students and teachers for EOC and STAAR exams.

“I know that our students and staff are working hard to meet the state requirements,” said Morales. “This year’s scores are similar to last year’s – up in some areas and down in others, but overall, we remained fairly consistent.”

All the administrators agree that scores can vary greatly from year to year because the makeup of the classes also vary from one year to the next.

“And as with every year, test results only show a snap shot of the student’s performance on that particular day on that particular test,” said elementary principal Jonathan Scott. “We all know that educating students extends far beyond a snap shot performance.”

Individual Portfolios

All parents should have received the Texas Education Agency’s individualized “portfolio” in the last week or so, showing results of their child’s tested areas.

“All portfolios were mailed out last week,” said Lowe. “Each report contains detailed information about the tests, as well as explaining how to use the student’s ‘Unique Access Code’ to look online at that student’s scores from this year and previous years.”

Data from the confidential student reports help identify areas to work on in instruction along with objectives with which students need help.

Going Forward

Lowe emphasized that the AISD staff strives to develop balanced learners.

“Although there may be a few areas of concern and some places to improve in our test scores, we have to remember that we are ultimately working to do what is best for our students, and that means helping them become well-rounded individuals, not just good test takers,” she said.

Part of being well-rounded is participating in other activities, and that occasionally conflicts with testing.

Last year, when there was a major revision of the testing system, AISD and many other schools ran into a number of complications throughout the process.

“But the only problem we truly encountered this year was scheduling,” said Lowe. “May is a very busy month in Albany, and to add two weeks of testing, everyone had to work together.”

The state’s testing schedule was moved later into the spring this year, and that provided some challenges.

“There were school academic and sports events, as well as community activities and field days, that had to be changed to accommodate the testing schedule,” said Lowe. “Without all the help, flexibility, and understanding, it would have been a lot more difficult that it was.”

Scott agrees and also noted that there’s “so much to say about testing” that it cannot all be explained in a news article or even in the reports sent out by the state.

He plans to offer a parent information session about this year’s performance after the final report from the state is received and reviewed in September.

Details about the meeting will be available after the school year begins.