GISD School Accountability

Georgetown ISD has embarked on a new effort to establish accountability standards to be applied to Georgetown schools. The effort is described in the February 16 issue of the Wilco Sun.

Georgetown ISD has embarked on an initiative to develop a community-based “True Accountability” system and the community will have opportunities to weigh in on what that would look like and how it would benefit students.  

At his State of the District address on Feb. 8, Superintendent Fred Brent introduced the initiative, saying it will determine the standards against which GISD performance will be measured.  

“This is heavier work, transformative work,” he said.
Community forums to discuss True Accountability are scheduled at 6 p.m. on Feb. 27 and March 2. Both will be at the Hammerlun Center for Leadership and Learning, 507 E. University Ave. 

The forums’ goal is for GISD to learn parents’ “hopes and dreams” for their children, school and community.  

Information gathered — and partnered with GISD’s Vision and Mission, Strategic Plan and Learner Profile documents — will form the backbone of the initiative, Mr. Brent said at a Feb. 12 meeting introducing the concept to community partners.  

Mr. Brent said GISD’s intent is not to diminish the importance of the State Accountability System.
“This doesn’t mean we are not committed to doing well on state measures,” he said. “We’ll always strive to do our best for students.”  

He said a true accountability system can better represent community standards because, “Your voice is not in the current (state) accountability system.”
He said the district will be held accountable to a higher standard with this system.  

Georgetown ISD has joined the Texas Public Accountability Consortium (TPAC). The group of 50 public school districts is working to develop “next-generation measures and assessments,” according to its website. 

Components of a community-based accountability system include seven TPAC-developed pillars of school accountability —
• student learning and progress • student readiness
• engaged and well-rounded students
• community engagement and partnerships 
• professional learning/ quality staff • fiscal and operational systems • safety and well-being.  

More information about GISD’s True Accountability initiative is available on the district’s website.

Keep in mind that the objective of any school should be to produce students that read, write, perform math, and understand science and social studies at grade level. 

STAAR is the state’s testing program that measures student ability and is based on state curriculum standards in core subjects.

STAAR tests are designed to measure what students are learning in each grade and whether or not they are ready for the next grade. The goal is to ensure that all students receive what they need to be academically successful. Meeting these individual student needs depends greatly on schools, parents, and community members working together.

Now look at the TPAC developed "pillars" above that have been embraced by GISD and see if those objectives explicitly call for measures of student ability to meet the curriculum standards established by the Texas Education Agency(TEA).

The TEA has established a Local Accountability System pilot in response to House Bill 22, 85th Legislature, although several TPAC districts are participating in the TEA pilot.

However GISD has opted to not participate in the TEA accountability program. Why Not?

The overall goal of the TPAC is to eliminate the STARR test. It is evident by reading the following: "When accountability fails"

Imagine, when you can define your own standards and targets, it’s easy to find a way to make yourself look good.

Isn't it time to hold GISD to the standards established in law by the Texas Legislature?

Engage your school board and administrators.    

STAAR is the state’s testing program and is based on state curriculum standards in core subjects including reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies.