Preliminary School First Rating 2008-2009
by Natasha Blackburn
August 26, 2010
The preliminary School FIRST (Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas) rating for staff and student data reported for the 2008-2009 school year, as well as budgetary and actual financial data for the 2009 fiscal year, is SUPERIOR ACHIEVEMENT. Avery ISD scored 79 out of 80 possible points in the Texas Education Agency (TEA) data review. This is the same rating achieved by Avery ISD since the inception of the rating system by Senate Bill (SB) 218, passed during the 77th Texas Legislature, Regular Session, 2001.
Final ratings were expected to be issued by August 16, 2010. However, as of the date of this article, the final ratings have not yet been posted to TEA's secure web site. Under the originally adopted rules and in subsequent rule revisions, TEA will take into consideration a district's School FIRST rating when assigning an accreditation status. Additionally, a district's final School FIRST rating may impact its special education determination status as issued by the TEA Division of Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) Coordination under the requirements of 34 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) ยง300.608(a).
Within two months after receipt of its final School FIRST rating, Avery ISD will announce and hold a public meeting to distribute a financial management report that explains the district's rating and its performance under each of the 22 indicators for the current and prior year. The financial management report will disclose reimbursements to the superintendent and board of trustees members, for the 2008-2009 school year.
Watch this web page for further developments on Avery ISD's School FIRST rating.
