The January Farmersville school board meeting kicked off earlier than usual this month due to the required public hearing to discuss the Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR).

The report, presented by Assistant Superintendent Micah Taylor Monday, Jan. 23, is based on student assessment and district demographic data from the 2021-22 school year, in which the district received an overall letter grade accountability rating of “B.”

Taylor emphasized to the school board that the report will look different next year due to changes implemented by the Texas Education Agency (TEA).

TEA resets the criteria for the A-F accountability system every five years and upcoming changes by the agency can best be described as “random,” according to Taylor.

Although school districts are already half-way through the school year, final decisions regarding the accountability system will not be rolled out until March or April.

He also discussed the redesign of the STAAR test, which included writing being included in every grade level.

This will also be the first administration of the student assessments in which online administration is required, instead of voluntary.

Regarding data included in the report, FISD experienced academic improvements in all areas, with reading scores seeing the most gain.

Scores increased in reading from 78% to 83% to approaches grade level, 50% to 62% —meets grade level and 19% to 29% to masters grade level.

By Cole McClendon

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