High-Poverty Elementary Earns Exemplary Distinction
For the second year, John Haley Elementary, part of the Irving Independent School District in Texas, has earned an Exemplary rating on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS).
Typically, schools like Haley Elementary—with 89 percent of students classified as economically disadvantaged and 63 percent limited-English-proficient—are at risk for lower academic achievement. But Haley is bucking this trend with 2010 TAKS passing rates of 91 percent (reading), 98 percent (writing), 97 percent (math), and 99 percent (science).
There's no simple checklist for success like Haley's, but the notable factors at this school include:
- Highly dedicated staff leading small group instruction before, during, and after school hours.
