2015-16 School Year Begins Smoothly

Dear Key Communicators,

Today starts our second week of school and I sure hope this week is as successful as our first week was. I have been in public education for 29 years and I cannot recall an opening as smooth as last week here in Alief ISD. Students (at least most of them) were so excited to be back in school and ready to learn in every one of the campuses that I visited. Every principal that I visited with last week shared a similar story. So, we are off to an exciting start this school year.

I have more good news about Alief ISD to share with you. First of all, our district earned the highest possible rating in the state’s accountability system in results released recently by the Texas Education Agency. Alief ISD earned the rating of Met Standard in the state’s 2015 accountability system.

All of the district’s high schools, middle schools, intermediate schools and 21 of the district’s elementary schools earned the Met Standard rating.

I also wanted to congratulate several of our schools that met all performance indices and all eligible Distinction Designations in the accountability system. Congratulations to Kerr High School, Budewig Intermediate School, Miller Intermediate School, Youngblood Intermediate School and Outley Elementary School.

Distinction Designations can be earned by campuses for academic achievement in Reading/Language Arts, Mathematics, Science and Social Studies as well as top 25 percent in student progress and closing performance gaps and postsecondary readiness. We also had 24 campuses that earned at least one distinction. Again, congratulations to all of those campuses for their success.

Lastly, and just as important to me as the previous ratings, I want to inform you that Alief ISD earned an Exemplary rating in the district’s release of Community and Student Engagement ratings under the state required local accountability system.

The district earned an Exemplary rating in the categories of Fine Arts, Wellness and Physical Education, Community Involvement, Second Language Acquisition, and Programs for Gifted and Talented and Dropout Prevention. Alief earned a Recognized rating in 21st Century Workforce Development and Digital Learning.

Twenty-four of the district’s schools and programs were rated Exemplary while 20 schools and programs were rated as Recognized. It is imperative that we all pay attention to these indicators and continue improving in each area.

You have heard me say many times that I do not believe that test scores should be the only measurement used to determine how a school or district is performing. These community and student engagement ratings provide a much more comprehensive picture and areas in need of attention, in addition to the accomplishments of a school district other than a single test score.

Thanks again for being Alief Proud and serving as a Key Communicator for our district.

Sincerely,

HD Chambers
Superintendent