Taking TAKS to task

About six years ago, 63 percent of Diboll Junior High students passed the math portion of their TAKS test.

For DJH administrators and faculty that just wasn’t acceptable – although by state standards it was. Schools receive “Exemplary,” “Recognized,” “Acceptable,” or “Unacceptable” marks overall and within subcategories on each subject tested.

Last year, DJH passed the assessment test at an 88 percent clip and was recently recognized by the National Center for Educational Achievement as part of its Just for the Kids Campaign for Higher Performing Schools in Texas. The award was given for growth in math on the state TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) test. Schools recognized for growth achieved better improvement rates for their students compared with other schools with similar demographics.

According to DJH Principal Mark Kettering, improvement was a matter of pride for the faculty and, well, a matter of doing the math.

“We implemented some things six years ago,” Kettering said. “Four years ago doubled the math time during the school day. The students didn’t lose anything; we just extended the day a little bit … cut the time between classes to four minutes.”

Kettering said he is “lucky” to have a “really good math department.”

“No. 1, they are just good teachers. They work hard and work smart. They use the data and identify the students’ needs,” Kettering said.

He also said the “Accelerated Math” program, which is similar to “Accelerated Reading,” has helped.

“It’s similar to what a football coach does to teach a play. They do it over and over until they get it,” Kettering said of the AM program that rewards points for math work. Some of the eighth-graders who have excelled so far this year in the AM program can be found on Page 5.

Diboll ISD Superintendent Gary Martel acknowledged the success and looked toward the future.

“Their scores (in math) are as high, or better, as comparable schools,” Martel said. “I’m sure they hope to see the same thing for science next year. They just missed being ‘Recognized’ by one percentage point.”