When the Texas Education Agency released the accountability ratings for 8,526 public schools and 1,228 school districts, Friendswood ISD had reason to celebrate. Once again all six campuses are rated Exemplary along with the district being Exemplary.
            This is the district’s third consecutive year to obtain the highest ranking awarded by the state.
            “Even though this is the third consecutive year for an Exemplary rating, this year, it is more significant,” Friendswood Superintendent Trish Hanks said. “Despite the distractions caused by unprecedented state funding reductions and a last minute increase in the accountability standards, our teachers kept their focus where it needed to be.”           
            The Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test ratings are based on passing rates, dropout rates and high school completion rates.  For 2011, standards were increased and the Texas Projection Measure (TPM) was eliminated. These changes resulted in fewer districts and schools earning the top Exemplary rating for the year.
            The number of Exemplary districts decreased from 241 in 2010 to 61 for 2011 and Exemplary campus numbers dropping from 2,637 in 2010 to 1,224.
            Friendswood joins 44 other districts excluding charter operators (61 with charter operators) in reaching the Exemplary status. FISD is in the top 5 percent of schools to reach this. Out of the 61, only 5 others are as large or larger than FISD who has 6,000 students. The other five are Frisco ISD, Lake Travis ISD, Eanes ISD, Carroll ISD and Highland Park ISD.
            The six FISD campuses are part of 1,224 campuses in the state with this rating. They are in the top 14.4 percent of state campuses who ranked at the Exemplary level.
            Friendswood ISD is the only district in Galveston, Brazoria, Harris and Montgomery Counties to reach Exemplary status for the district and all campuses.
            “We are extremely proud of the hard work by our students, teachers, parents and community who supports us,” Hanks said. “We celebrate student success and thank those who supported their efforts.”