Each year the state of Texas celebrates Texas Public School Week. Traditionally, this recognition is held the first week of March, March 2 – 6, 2009. Due to state TAKS testing to be held this week, San Saba ISD will be celebrating Texas Public School Week March 9 - 13. On March 9, each of the District’s three campuses will be hosting a campus open house. This is an opportunity for parents, students and community members to visit the campuses. For parents, this is a scheduled opportunity for you to visit with the teachers of your children, the campus principal, the librarian or any other staff member working for the District. For community members, this is your opportunity to visit the campuses to see what education in 2009 looks like. What do we have to celebrate in Texas Public Education, when all that we hear reported by the media is negative? Let’s take a look…. Texas students rank Number 1, 2 and 3 in the nation! When comparing students by subgroups, Texas 4th and 8th graders outperformed their peers in other states on the 2005 National Assessment of Educational Progress (NAEP) math exam. Texas White and Asian 4th graders rank No. 1, Texas Hispanic 4th and 8th graders No. 2, African-American 4th and 8th graders also rank No. 2 and Texas White and Asian 8th graders rank No. 3 in the nation!

TAKS passing rates record highs for all students in all subjects! Despite rising standards, from 2004 – 2008, the percentage of all students passing the TAKS reading exam rose from 80% to 89%. The percentage passing math rose from 66% to 77%. The percentage passing science climbed 15% and writing scores went up 3 points to 92%. The largest gains in each subject are found in the Economically Disadvantaged student subgroups. For example, the percentage of these students passing science jumped 21 points!

Texas schools are meeting NCLB requirements! Under a federal evaluation system created by No Child Left Behind, 86% of Texas school districts and 79% of schools made Adequate Yearly Progress (AYP) in 2007, despite a substantial increase in the performance targets. San Saba ISD is one of the 86% meeting AYP.

Did you know this about our Texas Public Schools? Texas Public Schools served nearly 700 million low-cost or free meals to more than 2.3 million Texas school children during the 2005 – 2006 school year. Many of these students receive two-thirds of their daily nutritional needs from our schools. Our public schools provide much more than a quality education. They provide nourishment, compassion, encouragement, love, environment, medical care, and support for every one of the 4.3 million children in their care.

Public school students outperform their peers in private schools! New studies reveal public school students perform as well as, or in many cases, better than their private school peers. Thanks to our teachers, our staff, a supportive school board and active parents, Texas public education continues to achieve great things! Please mark your calendars now to take advantage of Texas Public School Week observed for SSISD on March 9-13! Please remember that our website is the key to keeping up-to-date on school happenings. Please visit www.san-saba.net to view events and find information you need to know about SSISD.

If you have any questions about this article or any other question about school happenings please contact me at 325/372-3144. Good luck and GREAT Playing, Lady Dillos!!!!