DISD students earn top STAAR Distinction Designations

In addition to all Denison ISD schools meeting Standard on the state’s most recent STAAR exams, Denison High School was the only campus in Grayson County to earn prestigious Distinction Designations for top achievements in every possible category, including English Language Arts/Reading, Math, Science, Social Studies, Student Progress, Closing Performance Gaps and Postsecondary Readiness.

“Every single DISD campus earned one or more Distinction Designations, which is also quite an accomplishment,” said DISD Superintendent Dr. Henry Scott. “It was great to see those seven gold Distinction stars across the top of our DHS report for the second year in a row. It reflects a very high level of learning and progress in all areas, indicating that our teachers are meeting the learning needs of all our students. To be successful at the high school level, students must first become successful learners at the elementary, intermediate and middle school levels. We’re extremely proud of the tremendous jobs our teachers and students are doing in classrooms every single day. These achievements are phenomenal.”

Scott Middle School earned three Distinction Designations for Academic Achievement in ELA/Reading, Social Studies and Student Progress. B. McDaniel Intermediate School earned four Distinction Designations for Academic Achievement in ELA/Reading, Mathematics and Science, and for Closing Performance Gaps. Elementary campus Distinction Designations include: Houston Elementary – one for Academic Achievement in Mathematics; Hyde Park – two for Academic Achievement in ELA/Reading and Mathematics; Lamar – one for Closing Performance Gaps; Mayes – two for Academic Achievement in ELA/Reading and Postsecondary Readiness; and Terrell – three Distinctions for Academic Achievement in ELA/Reading and for Closing Performance Gaps and Postsecondary Readiness.

To earn a Distinction Designation, campuses must rank in the top 25% of their comparison groups, which consist of 40 like campuses based on similar demographics, percentage of economically disadvantaged students, percentage of ELL (English Language Learners), and percentage of mobility determined by the number of students who move in and out of the district. System safeguards include performance rates, participation rates and graduation rates.

“STAAR tests are very difficult and challenging in that they require students to understand complex concepts and solve difficult problems at every grade level, in every subject, so they can succeed in school as well as in college and the workplace,” said Shonda Cannon, DISD Director of Instruction. “The goal is to prepare students for life-long learning and success. Our teachers are doing a great job of accomplishing that…and our students are embracing and meeting the challenges.”