Thirteen Leander ISD schools receive distinction on STAAR tests

In English language arts, Faubion Elementary, River Place Elementary, Canyon Ridge Middle, Four Points Middle, Leander Middle and Henry Middle school were considered distinguished.

Three schools placed in the top 10 among 40 peer schools in math, including Four Points Middle, Cedar Park High and Vista Ridge High.

Superintendent Bret Champion said the ranking tools are not entirely accurate because of the way LISD tests students in PACE, or Programs for Advancement, Challenge and Enrichment. PACE students learn curriculum a grade above their peers and take the corresponding STAAR test. Because TEA measures student progress based on consecutive years of STAAR results, students who through PACE have advanced a year of curriculum are not included in the distinguished achievement calculations.

"Our highest performing students in fifth grade did not count in progress index," Champion said. "It really skews this index and the math distinctions at the elementary level. This was decision that LISD made that was good for kids, but the state said it was not something they could figure out how to deal with."

Monta Akin, assistant superintendent of instructional services, said only students who are taught 100 percent of the state-mandated curriculum called TEKS, or Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills, would be tested a grade level above their peers. Expected changes to the TEKS standards could alter future testing practices and could therefore effect accountability scores, she said.

All LISD campuses and the district as a whole met the minimum STAAR standards set by TEA.

Updated 8:41 a.m. CST Oct. 3, 2013