In the first year under the new accountability rating system since the introduction of STAAR tests, all 80 eligible campuses comprising Cy–Fair ISD have achieved the highest of two possible ratings.

The new standards set by the Texas Education Agency are based on four index targets: student achievement, student progress, closing performance gaps and postsecondary readiness. All eligible CFISD campuses earned a "Met Standard" rating, as opposed to "Improvement Required."

"We're excited for our campuses and for the district," said Linda Macias, CFISD associate superintendent for curriculum, instruction and accountability. "More importantly, we're able to see that our campuses have made a great foundation for this first round of accountability, and we're going to be building on that foundation."

While meeting state standards across the board is a noteworthy achievement, Macias said the district has always set its own standards, which are even higher than the ones set by the state.

"We set our standards much higher and that's what we reach for," she said, citing the district's rating of 84 in student achievement. "We expect all our kids to be successful. What we are really looking for is incremental growth."

Statewide, 92.5 percent of districts achieved a "Met Standard" rating, according to the TEA. CFISD is the largest district to have all of its individual campuses earn the top rating. 40 CFISD campuses received distinctions for reading/ELA performance, math performance, or being rated in the top 25 percent for student progress.

The TEA also released assessments for the STAAR tests taken by students at the end of the 2012 school year. The assessments gave educators access to the actual tests and questions, as well as an item analysis that provides information on the percentage of students who missed each question.

"It gives us an idea of what areas the district needs to work on as far as curriculum goes," Macias said. "We are taking the opportunity to review how questions are asked and what's being asked. More importantly, we can verify that our curriculum is aligned with, not necessarily the test itself, but how the standard is being taught."

The TEA considers the 2012–13 school year a transition year in regards to accountability ratings, as it continues to finalize a rating system for the long term. Ratings for the 2013–14 school year will be based on the same standard, but an updated system is expected to be put in place for the 2014–15 year. Accountability advisory groups plan to reconvene this fall to finalize recommendations for ratings criteria.

Here is how CFISD performed within each index:

The Student Achievement index examines performances across all subjects and student groups. CFISD earned an 84 rating, far exceeding the state's target score of 50. The state average was 77.

The Student Progress index looks for improvements based on specific student groups, including ethnic groups, English-language learners and special education students. The target score for a district is 21, but targets vary for each individual campus depending on the nature of the school. CFISD earned a 34. The state average was also 34.

The Closing Performance Gaps index includes students who are economically disadvantaged, as well as each campus' two lowest performing student groups from the previous year. CFISD scored a 78, exceeding the set target of 55. The state average was 71.

The Postsecondary Readiness index is only applied to high school campuses. It examines graduation rates and rates of students graduating on recommended and distinguished/advanced plans. The target score is 75 and CFISD scored 85. The state average was also 85.

For information on how each individual campus performed, visit the district's website.