Let me begin by stating that I do not believe that a single test for each subject in grades 3-11 is a fair assessment of what our students have accomplished during the year or is evidence of what our teachers have done in the classroom. There are many reasons why I make this statement. According to the National Education Association (NEA), using one test per year per subject is “considered an insufficient and inequitable assessment of public schools”. The NEA states that this type of accountability system causes high-stakes stress for students and teachers, it often narrows curriculum focus, and fails to capture student growth and teacher competence. Annual testing is limited to a one moment in time snap shot measure rather than what should be a comprehensive and fair evaluation. This is the model that Texas public schools are judged by each year.
Hereford ISD is currently working to bring up our accountability scores (which are low) because of a multiyear slide. We have made several steps to stop the slide and lead our students to a much higher standard. One of the first things that we did was to hire a new curriculum department that has a laser focus on raising the rigor and relevance of our curriculum. Two of the people that were hired came to us from Region 16 from a curriculum, instruction, and technology background. The focus within the district is moving toward Curriculum, Instruction, and Assessment for the first time in several years.
Also, we adopted the state recommended curriculum (Bluebonnet) because it is aligned with the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) curriculum required by the state of Texas and it is aligned with the STAAR test. While there have been errors found in the curriculum, those have been identified by the state and are being corrected. Most of these errors are of no consequence (spelling, technology) and have had little effect on our teachers or students. Several of the mistakes have been found and corrected by our curriculum team and our teachers. Our teachers have done a great job learning a new curriculum and implementing it with fidelity.
Additionally, we have Region 16 curriculum specialists coming and taking part in curriculum walks as well as PLC meetings with our teachers. This allows us to give immediate feedback to our teachers in regard to Tier 1 instruction, engagement, pacing, instructional strategies, and even classroom management techniques. There is constant feedback being given to the instructional staff and the curriculum department so that adjustments that are needed are put in place immediately.
By focusing on the three things mentioned above, we have seen great strides made from the Beginning of the Year (BOY) and the Middle of the Year (MOY) assessments. Likewise, our district common assessments are also showing an increase. This data was presented by the principals at the February School Board Meeting, is being disaggregated with principals and teachers, and being used to drive our Tier 1 instruction. These results are promising for us as a district under the current evaluation system.
What does this mean for you as a parent and a community member? It points to the fact that we recognize that we have hard work to do and that we are making strides in meeting the challenge of our current accountability scores. Hereford ISD will meet the challenge, give our students the education they deserve, and afford our students the best opportunities possible going forward.
However, we also need your help: we need our students at school every day, all day. We have tried hard to emphasize attendance this year and we have so far raised the overall attendance rate 1%, but we need to do better. Obviously, we cannot teach students who are not in our classrooms which means that those who miss are getting further behind with each absence. Encourage your students to be on time, and at school every day.
Please let me know if you have any questions or concerns about what we are doing as a district to address our accountability scores. I view this as our primary focus because our students deserve the very best from each of us in our district.