August 4, 2011— Based on preliminary data released by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), 33 Klein ISD schools, or 85 percent of Klein ISD schools, met Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP). AYP is a federally mandated accountability system required by the No Child Left Behind (NCLB) Act. Across the state, 66 percent of Texas schools met AYP.

As a district, Klein ISD missed the federal mark. AYP regulations allow only 3 percent of a district’s special needs learners to be tested with modified or alternative assessments. Due to an increased amount of special education students in the district needing alternative tests, KISD passing percentages in both math and reading/English Language Arts (ELA) decreased.

“The campus Admission, Review, and Dismissal (ARD) committee makes the determination as to which test each student should take to be appropriately assessed, based upon a set of guidelines,” remarked Klein ISD Superintendent Dr. Jim Cain. “It is unfortunate that when the number of special education students reaches the predetermined cap, students beyond the cap are considered to have failed the test, even if in reality they achieved a passing score.”

Federal standards continue to increase annually in both categories on the AYP, with the standard eventually set to reach 100% by 2014. In 2011, federal standards increased passing percentages from 67 to 75 percent in math and from 73 to 80 percent in reading/ELA. Klein ISD scores in the special education subgroup were reported at 68 percent in math and 72 percent in reading/ELA because of the predetermined cap standards. Before the penalty for exceeding the cap, the passing percentages in Klein ISD for the special education subgroup were at 77 percent in math and 83 percent in reading/ELA.

“We have data that shows consistent district-wide improvement every year as exemplified by once again being a Recognized district under the state accountability system,” said Dr. Cain. “Klein ISD is committed to every student and will continue to work to meet state and federal requirements.”

A complete report of AYP data is available on TEA’s website, http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/ayp/2011/index.html. 

Click here for a better understanding of how AYP is calculated.

TEA will release final 2011 AYP statuses in November or December.