In a year when education officials in Austin made it increasingly difficult for schools to earn an Exemplary ranking on TAKS tests, Layne Elementary School in Denison rose to the challenge.    Layne students achieved Exemplary rankings across the board in 2007, scoring 97% in Writing, 95% in Reading, 94% in Math, and 90% in Science.  These numbers, according to DISD Director of Testing Robert Mears, reflect the percentage of students at Layne that met or exceeded TAKS standards.  To achieve exemplary status, schools must have a 90% passing rate for all students, groups and subgroups in all areas tested.     Exemplary Layne was followed closely by Hyde Park, Lamar and Mayes Elementary schools, all which received Recognized ratings and were within only a few questions of being ranked Exemplary.  Golden Rule, Houston and Terrell Elementary Schools, B. McDaniel Middle School, Denison High School, and the district as a whole all ranked Academically Acceptable.    The accountability reports arrived today in school districts across Grayson County and throughout the state.  According to DISD officials, the TAKS ratings were made tougher by changes instituted by state officials.  In order be earn a Recognized rating in 2007, 75% of all students and subgroups on any campus had to meet or exceed stringent TAKS standards as set and mandated by the State of Texas.  Prior to 2007, that standard was 70%.     “We’re all extremely proud of the teachers and students at Layne.  They turned in an exceptional performance,” said Mears.  “Layne students improved at every level, in every subject, a direct result of a dedicated team effort on the part of teachers, staff, students and parents.”     Mears says improvements are also evident district-wide, but he sees specific areas that need work, particularly in some subgroups in the science and math fields.  The State of Texas identifies subgroups as Economically Disadvantaged, White, African American and Hispanic.      “We intend to focus strongly on these areas,” Mears said.  “The questions on these tests are extremely difficult.  I think many college graduates would have trouble coming up with correct answers on some of the high school tests.  The questions demand a lot of deductive reasoning and higher order thinking skills, even at the elementary level.  As educators, we must come up with teaching techniques that will help us identify specific methods to help individual students grasp concepts.  Ultimately, our students must be able to apply many forms of knowledge, using a step-by-step process to arrive at correct answer and solutions.  Simple memorization will not work.”    DISD Superintendent Dr. Henry Scott says he sees the overall educational process in Denison schools as a series of challenges that must be met head-on at every grade level.       “It is our responsibility to help each and every student achieve complete mastery of data and concepts before they move to the next level,” said Scott.  “Education needs to be an organized and timely process during which students gain confidence and develop a genuine desire to learn as they acquire all necessary knowledge at each level.  If we meet this responsibility, our students will become life-long learners.  Yes, we want our kids to do well on tests, but we also want them to grow into productive adults who will do well in life and in the workplace.  Good learning skills need to become lifelong habits.”     Scott praised Denison educators for their dedication, determination and vision in helping students reach their full potential.      “Our teachers and staff continually adjust their focus and methodology to meet the needs of not just their class as a whole, but each student individually,” said Scott.  “We’re constantly asking our staff to re-examine student needs and put teachers where they can most benefit students, both in regular classrooms as well as in tutoring programs and curriculum development and implementation.”         Scott also attributed much of Denison’s student success to community support, parental involvement, and teachers who care about their students.      “Across the board, I’ll put Denison’s positive commitment to its children up against any in the state,” said Scott.  “Our local foundations, civic groups, businesses, parents and patrons make sure that our teachers and students have everything they need to achieve academic success.  Our local media people are also very supportive and encouraging.  They look for the best in our kids, which in turn inspires our students to work harder and achieve goals.”