CFISD earns recognized status 3 years in a row

This summer, district officials learned that Cy-Fair ISD made a three-peat performance in achieving a recognized rating based on student performance on the 2010 Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills test.
In late July, Cy-Fair ISD administrators learned the district had achieved recognized status in the Texas Education Agency's accountability rating system for the third year in a row.
Individual schools also rose in the ratings system: 74 out of 76 campuses were declared recognized or exemplary in 2010, compared with 63 out of 74 in 2009.
While being the largest recognized school district in one of the largest states in the nation for three straight years is a terrific accomplishment within itself, I am most proud of our students' drive to constantly improve academically," said David Anthony, Cy-Fair ISD superintendent.
The TAKS data indicate that we improved in every area, except one, which remained at the 99 percent level, which indicates that we are successfully improving the performance of all of our students."
Cy-Fair ISD officials said the data analysis process utilized by teachers, and campus and district leaders, helps to maintain focus on student academic achievement. There are also several programs in place that target individual students' needs, they said.
Linda Macias, Cy-Fair ISD's assistant superintendent of elementary instruction, said the district relies on data to guide instruction and intervention programs.
Programs
The district will continue to implement programs in elementary schools that have resulted in high test scores improvement rates, Macias said. Those include Read 180, which helps increase reading proficiency and reading skills; Saturday School," which incorporates fun learning activities; and Super Camps" in math, science and reading at the Berry Center.
We had a three-day camp at Emery Camp Emery' so that students at the new school could learn about routine and procedures," Macias said. They also rotated between different stations, such as quantum learning, math and science. When they start school Monday, they will be proud Emery Eagles."
We are also focusing on having students prepared for career and college readiness, which starts at the preschool level," Macias said.
Macias said Cy-Fair ISD administration and staff are reviewing the district's curriculum this year to make sure it is aligned with the new State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness test that will be launched across the state in the 2011-12 school year.
Mary Jadloski, director of secondary curriculum and instruction, said the district will work diligently with students to not only work to meet passing standards on the TAKS and STAAR tests, but to meet commended performance standards as well. A commended performance score is considerably above the state standard score.
We want to make sure our kids are ready for college or a career when they graduate," Jadloski said. A commended performance is in line with that goal."
This will also be the first year that incoming freshman students who are following the state's Recommended High School Program are no longer required to take health, technology applications (desktop publishing, computer science, and business computer information systems, for example), and more than one credit in physical education. These courses can still be taken as electives that count toward state graduation credit.
During the 2009 Legislative session, the House and Senate passed House Bill 3, which among many things changed high school graduation requirements starting in the 2009-10 school year. Jadloski said the district chose last year to maintain the standards that were already in place for existing students, but is required to make the transition beginning with incoming freshman students this year.
The revised Recommended High School Program include: 4 English credits, 4 math credits, 4 science credits, 4 social studies credits, 2 foreign language credits, 1 PE credit, 1 fine art credit, 1/2 credit of speech, and 5.5 elective credits.
We want to make sure that information is communicated to parents," she said.
On the Web
For additional Cy-Fair ISD back-to-school information, go to www.cfisd.net/campuses/backtoschool.htm.