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10-20-2005, 09:32 AM
Wylie at head of class in Texas
8 other area schools listed in study's top 25
By Sidney Levesque / Reporter-News Staff Writer
October 20, 2005
Academically, the Wylie Independent School District in Abilene is the best Class 3A school district in Texas, according to a recent study.
Eight other area school districts were ranked in the top 25 in their enrollment classifications based on 15 factors including test scores, and graduation and dropout rates.
The results were published in the October issue of ''TACS Today,'' an annual publication of the Texas Association of Community Schools.
The report was based on a study by former Tarleton State University professor Dr. Jimmy Byrd and two superintendents who are doctoral students. The trio identified the best academic schools and what strategies their superintendents used to improve student performance.
The researchers found that superintendents of the best schools emphasized academic performance districtwide. The superintendents also focused on accountability and data-driven decision making.
The findings are similar to results from a similar study conducted three years ago, said Byrd, who is now teaching at the University of North Texas. Even the top schools are still the same, he said.
Most have low superintendent turnover and superintendents with a ''no frills'' approach to academics, Byrd said.
''There's no special projects,'' he said. ''Just hard work.''
Wylie Superintendent Don Harrison said school officials were excited to see their district ranked No. 1 in the state among Class 3A schools. Schools receive a University Interscholastic League classification from one to five based on their enrollment. Class 5A schools are the largest.
Harrison said Wylie ISD has high expectations, which is why students do so well.
''It's not anything that one person in the district does,'' he said. ''It's the students who are the ones who actually take the test, and the teachers work day in and day out to get them ready. And it all has to be reinforced at home.''
Jim Ned Superintendent Kent LeFevre said he was pleased his district was ranked third in the state in Class 2A, tying with nearby Ballinger ISD.
''Our ability to hire and retain good teachers is one big factor, and community and parental support would be another big factor,'' LeFevre said.
Other ranked schools
Big Country school districts that ranked in the top 25 in Texas:
Class 1A
13. Goldthwaite ISD
24. Haskell CISD
Class 2A
2. Early ISD
3. TIE - Ballinger ISD and Jim Ned CISD
13. Eastland ISD
Class 3A
1. Wylie ISD
17. Clyde CISD
Class 4A
14. Stephenville ISD
Source: ''TACS Today''
Contact Sidney Levesque at levesques@reporternews.com or 676-6721
8 other area schools listed in study's top 25
By Sidney Levesque / Reporter-News Staff Writer
October 20, 2005
Academically, the Wylie Independent School District in Abilene is the best Class 3A school district in Texas, according to a recent study.
Eight other area school districts were ranked in the top 25 in their enrollment classifications based on 15 factors including test scores, and graduation and dropout rates.
The results were published in the October issue of ''TACS Today,'' an annual publication of the Texas Association of Community Schools.
The report was based on a study by former Tarleton State University professor Dr. Jimmy Byrd and two superintendents who are doctoral students. The trio identified the best academic schools and what strategies their superintendents used to improve student performance.
The researchers found that superintendents of the best schools emphasized academic performance districtwide. The superintendents also focused on accountability and data-driven decision making.
The findings are similar to results from a similar study conducted three years ago, said Byrd, who is now teaching at the University of North Texas. Even the top schools are still the same, he said.
Most have low superintendent turnover and superintendents with a ''no frills'' approach to academics, Byrd said.
''There's no special projects,'' he said. ''Just hard work.''
Wylie Superintendent Don Harrison said school officials were excited to see their district ranked No. 1 in the state among Class 3A schools. Schools receive a University Interscholastic League classification from one to five based on their enrollment. Class 5A schools are the largest.
Harrison said Wylie ISD has high expectations, which is why students do so well.
''It's not anything that one person in the district does,'' he said. ''It's the students who are the ones who actually take the test, and the teachers work day in and day out to get them ready. And it all has to be reinforced at home.''
Jim Ned Superintendent Kent LeFevre said he was pleased his district was ranked third in the state in Class 2A, tying with nearby Ballinger ISD.
''Our ability to hire and retain good teachers is one big factor, and community and parental support would be another big factor,'' LeFevre said.
Other ranked schools
Big Country school districts that ranked in the top 25 in Texas:
Class 1A
13. Goldthwaite ISD
24. Haskell CISD
Class 2A
2. Early ISD
3. TIE - Ballinger ISD and Jim Ned CISD
13. Eastland ISD
Class 3A
1. Wylie ISD
17. Clyde CISD
Class 4A
14. Stephenville ISD
Source: ''TACS Today''
Contact Sidney Levesque at levesques@reporternews.com or 676-6721