The Texas Education Agency released accountability information for 2013–2014 Thursday that has MFHS Principal Manny Lunoff preparing to celebrate the High School’s 5 Star Rating with his staff when they return to school!  MFHS earned five out of a possible six TEA StateDistinctions at the secondary level.  MFHS’s top performance, and its recent designation as a top performing high school by U.S. News & World Report, has Districts around the State looking to Marble Falls as a model for improving student academic performance.  All of Marble Falls ISD campuses “Met Standard” under the State Accountability Standards.

“I am thrilled to hear that the high school campus has earned five Academic Distinctions,” exclaimed Dr. Robert O’Connor, MFISD Superintendent of Schools.  “The teamwork and dedication of our staff to attain this achievement has been remarkable.  The High School staff has dedicated endless hours to insure that our students have been receiving a quality education.  We appreciate the efforts of all of our teachers Pre-K through 12 who have helped prepare our students to achieve this success.”

Marble Falls Middle School will also be celebrating their top 10 percent cohort rating for improving student performance.  MFMS also earned a Distinction in Science.  MFISD’s Elementary campuses all met and surpassed the target set by the State, and various Distinctionswere earned at the Elementary level.

Each year, schools in Texas receive one of two ratings:  Met Standard or Improvement Required.  The State determines these school ratings on four basic areas: Student Achievement, Student Progress, Closing Performance Gaps, and Postsecondary Readiness.

For schools that met the State Standards in these four areas, there are up to seven different added honors called Distinctions that a school can earn in areas such as outstanding achievement in reading and math, or helping students take the SAT or ACT college placement assessments.  To earn these Distinctions, schools must perform at the top of their comparison group of schools with similar demographics and economic factors.

“The progress that we’ve made in three years in Marble Falls has been astronomical,” said Eric Penrod, Executive Director of Academic Programs.  “All of our campuses performed very well.  We are looking forward to celebrating our successes with each campus across the District!”