AUSTIN – The Texas Education Agency (TEA) recently released the state-wide ratings of districts and schools based on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test scores which were completed in the spring of the 2008-2009 school year. As a whole, Forney ISD received an overall rating of Recognized, the second highest rating possible by the TEA.

In addition to the district receiving a rating of Recognized, all nine elementary schools in the district received an Exemplary rating this year. It is the first time in the history of the TEA’s Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills testing rating system that all elementary schools in Forney ISD received an Exemplary rating in the same year. Henderson Elementary School was the only elementary school in Forney ISD to receive an Exemplary rating in 2008.

“The students and staff of Forney ISD excelled well above our expectations we had for the district this year,” said Dr. Darrell Brown, Forney ISD Superintendent of Schools. “We knew we were going to make improvements in several areas across the district, but we had no idea that our students would not only reach those goals, but significantly exceed them as well. The district rating and the elementary school ratings are a reflection of the dedication and hard work that every student and every teacher put forth this year. They are all to be highly commended for their efforts.”

Forney ISD’s secondary schools, Brown Middle School, Warren Middle School and Forney High School were rated Academically Accepted based on their TAKS exam results. All three schools missed a Recognized rating by only one indicator at each campus. In addition, Forney ISD has filed an appeal with the TEA regarding the rating for Warren Middle School based on a possible coding error. The district anticipates a decision by the TEA in late October.

The TEA evaluates TAKS testing results and other data from individual schools and districts across the state, and then classifies each into four categories: Exemplary, Recognized, Academically Acceptable and Academically Unacceptable. In 2008, Forney ISD was classified as an Academically Acceptable district.

In addition to the high rating from the TEA, all of the schools in Forney ISD met the required Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) requirements. Under the accountability provisions in the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act, all public schools, districts and the state are required to meet AYP criteria on three measures: Reading/Language Arts, Mathematics and either Graduation Rate (for high schools and districts) or Attendance Rate (for elementary and middle/junior high schools).

For more information about the Forney Independent School District, contact Larry Coker, Director of Communications at larry.coker@forneyisd.net or by phone at 972-564-4055.

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