TSPR Veribest Independent School District

Chapter 2
EDUCATIONAL SERVICE DELIVERY

This chapter discusses the Veribest Independent School District's (VISD's) educational service delivery system and student performance measures in three sections:

A. Student Performance

B. Special Programs

C. Safety and Security

Effective educational service delivery requires appropriate instructional guidance, capable teachers, adequate resources and a thorough understanding of students' instructional needs. Well-designed and implemented instructional programs are essential to meet the needs of all students in VISD. Instructional leadership from VISD's central office and at the schools is directly responsible for these programs' effectiveness.
BACKGROUND
VISD selected four Texas school districts to serve as peer districts for comparison purposes: Water Valley, Coolidge, Novice and Panther Creek ISDs. Three of these districts are in the immediate geographical area, and Coolidge ISD is located in central Texas. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) provided information on the state-mandated student achievement test scores, the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) and other student performance measures.
Exhibit 2-1 presents demographic information for VISD, the selected peer districts, Regional Education Service Center XV (Region 15) and the state.
Exhibit 2-1
Demographic Characteristics
VISD, Peer Districts, Region 15 and State
2000-01

Student Enrollment Ethnic Groups Economic Disadvantaged

District Number
5 Year
Percent Change* Percent
African
American Percent
Hispanic Percent
Anglo Percent
Other Percent Minority Percent 5 Year
Percent Change*

Water Valley 315 (21.3%) 0.6% 18.4% 79.4% 1.6% 20.6% 38.7% (2.8%)

Veribest 272 54.5% 0.7% 36.0% 61.4% 1.8% 38.6% 30.5% (25.4%)

Coolidge 251 (5.3%) 23.9% 33.1% 43.0% 0.0% 57.0% 72.1% (12.4%)

Panther Creek 217 (12.1%) 0.0% 12.4% 86.7% 0.9% 13.3% 37.8% (33.3%)

Novice 98 (12.5%) 2.0% 15.3% 82.7% 0.0% 17.3% 75.5% 9.7%

Region 15 50,696 (3.8%) 3.6% 47.9% 47.8% 0.7% 52.2% 53.5% 5.1%

State 4,071,433 6.3% 14.4% 40.5% 42.1% 3.0% 57.9% 49.2% 2.3%

Source: TEA, PEIMS 2000-01 and AEIS 1996-97.
*Percent Change is defined as 2000-01 values minus 1996-97 values divided by 1996-97 values.
Demographics, staffing and financial data for each school district and school are reported in TEA's Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS) reports. These reports are sent to each school and district and are available on TEA's Internet Web site, www.tea.state.tx.us. The latest AEIS data, published by TEA in November 2000, are for 1999-2000. Selected information is available for 2000-01 as submitted by districts to the Public Education Information Management System (PEIMS) in the Fall 2000 data submission. These data will be used whenever possible and when compatible with data from 1999-2000 that cannot be updated. PEIMS information is also available at the TEA Web site. There is potential in small districts for a small number of staff or students to have a large impact on stated percentages, so TSPR takes uses care when interpreting differences among peer districts and state averages.
For 2000-01, VISD's enrollment was 272. This is an increase of more than 50 percent in the five-year period beginning in 1996-97. However, almost half of this increase occurred from 1999-2000 to 2000-01 (from 231 to 272). VISD added a high school in 1996-97, accounting for much of this enrollment increase. Two of the peer districts are approximately the same size as VISD. Panther Creek ISD is somewhat smaller, and Novice ISD is only about one-third the size of the three larger districts. Minority student enrollment in the districts ranges from 13.3 percent in Panther Creek ISD to 57 percent in Coolidge ISD. VISD falls in the middle with a 38.6 percent minority student enrollment.
At 30.5 percent, VISD has the lowest percentage of economically disadvantaged students among its four peer districts. Between 1996-97 and 2000-01, the percentage of economically disadvantaged students in the state has increased by about two percent. In VISD, the percentage of economically disadvantaged decreased by 25 percent in the same time period. All of the peer districts except Novice ISD showed a decline in the percentage of economically disadvantaged students.
As shown in Exhibit 2-2, VISD ranks in the middle in instructional expenditures per student, at $4,669 per student, when compared to its peer districts. Only Novice ISD, which is considerably smaller, has a per-pupil expenditure for instruction significantly different from the other districts. Approximately 72 percent of the district's instructional expenditures are directed to regular instruction. This percentage is the highest among the peer districts. The PEIMS reports show that there are differences in the expenditure patterns among VISD and its peer districts. The calculated amounts per student are based on the district enrollment in 1999-2000.
Exhibit 2-2
Actual Instructional Expenditures
VISD, Peer Districts and State
1999-2000

District Total
Expenditures Instruct. Expend
Per Student* Percent
Regular Percent Gifted
& Talented Percent
Special Educ. Percent
Career & Tech. Percent
Bil/ESL Percent
Compensatory

Novice $1,348,861 $6,506 61.1% 0.5% 12.4% 7.8% 0.0% 14.2%

Panther Creek $2,426,124 $5,086 56.8% 1.8% 18.0% 6.2% 0.0% 12.7%

Veribest $2,084,013 $4,669 71.5% 0.3% 15.3% 5.5% 0.0% 6.3%

Water Valley $3,249,351 $4,645 66.0% 2.3% 14.8% 5.6% 0.0% 6.9%

Coolidge $2,301,242 $4,457 57.4% 0.2% 14.6% 6.1% 0.1% 18.1%

State $31,639,852,010 $3,738 61.5% 1.7% 15.2% 4.0% 3.7% 11.7%

Source: TEA, PEIMS 1999-2000.
*Includes instruction and instructional leadership expenditures.
As shown in Exhibit 2-3, VISD reported the third highest percentage of students identified as special education when compared to its peer districts. The percentage of students enrolled in the bilingual or English as a Second Language (ESL) programs in most peer districts is significantly lower than the percentage of students enrolled in bilingual/ESL statewide. VISD ranks in the middle of percentage of students enrolled in career and technology education programs.
Exhibit 2-3
Student Enrollment by Program
2000-01

District Percent
Bilingual/ESL Percent
Career &
Technology Percent
Gifted &
Talented Percent
Special
Education

Panther Creek 0.5% 35.0% 12.9% 21.2%

Veribest 5.9% 29.4% 2.6% 19.9%

Novice 0.0% 50.0% 9.2% 22.4%

Coolidge 13.5% 21.9% 5.6% 19.5%

Water Valley 0.3% 36.2% 4.8% 17.5%

Region 15 6.8% 22.9% 8.1% 13.9%

State 12.5% 18.9% 8.4% 12.1%

Source: TEA, PEIMS 2000-01.
Exhibit 2-4 shows the percentage of professional staff in various categories. VISD ranks in the middle compared to its peers regarding percentage of teachers, but is above the state average. VISD is close to the state average in the other staffing areas except percent minority teachers, where all of the peer districts are well below the state average.
Exhibit 2-4
Professional Staff
VISD, Peer Districts, Region 15 and State
2000-01

Professional
Staff Water Valley Veribest Panther Creek Coolidge Novice Region 15 State Avg.

Teachers 62.3% 53.2% 54.2% 68.3% 51.8% 50.1% 50.6%

Professional Support 3.7% 6.4% 3.4% 5.1% 8.9% 6.8% 7.9%

Campus Administration 3.7% 2.1% 4.7% 5.1% 3.2% 2.6% 2.4%

Central Administration 1.3% 2.0% 2.4% 2.6% 3.6% 1.1% 1.0%

Educational Aides 0.0% 12.8% 11.8% 2.6% 10.8% 12.4% 10.3%

Auxiliary Staff 29.1% 23.5% 23.5% 16.4% 21.7% 27.0% 27.7%

Percent Minority Teachers 3.0% 3.7% 0.0% 7.5% 7.0% 16.7% 26.2%

Source: TEA, PEIMS 2000-01.
Exhibit 2-5 shows teacher experience and turnover rates for VISD and its peer districts. VISD has the largest percentage of beginning teachers and the lowest percentage of teachers with six to 10 years of experience. VISD has a teacher turnover rate of 15.5 percent, which is about equal to the state average. The average salary of $31,034 for beginning teachers and $34,216 for teachers with between 6 and 10 years experience in VISD appears to be a little high. Teacher salaries are based to a large extent on total years of experience. The principal indicated that the salaries listed are not correct, but he could not explain the discrepancy.
Exhibit 2-5
Teacher Experience and Turnover Rate
VISD, Peer Districts, Region 15 and State
2000-01

Veribest Panther Creek Novice Coolidge Water Valley Region 15 State Average

Beginning Teachers 40.9% 21.7% 0.0% 11.2% 0.0% 4.9% 7.8%

1-5 Years Experience 21.9% 8.7% 28.0% 22.5% 32.0% 23.2% 27.3%

6-10 Years Experience 3.7% 17.4% 28.7% 32.6% 29.6% 18.6% 18.1%

11-20 Years Experience 14.9% 30.4% 29.4% 26.2% 23.7% 28.9% 25.3%

Over 20 Years Experience 18.6% 21.7% 14.0% 7.5% 14.8% 24.5% 21.5%

Average Years Experience 8.0 13.3 9.0 9.1 11.0 11.7 9.5%

Turnover 15.5% 10.3% 20.3% 17.4% 10.3% 13.6% 15.0%

Beginning Teacher Salary $31,034 $31,763 N/A $26,240 N/A $26,256 $27,007

Average Teacher Salary 6-10 Years $34,216 $30,118 $30,277 $33,597 $34,535 $32,834 $33,499

Source: TEA, AEIS 1999-2000 and PEIMS 2000-01.
As seen Exhibit 2-6, VISD and its peer districts report no teachers without a degree. VISD did report more teachers with a Masters or Doctorate degree than all but one of its peer districts, but it is below the state average of 23.4 percent. Neither VISD nor any of its peer districts reported having to use special permits for teachers.
Exhibit 2-6
Teacher Degrees
VISD, Peer Districts, Region 15 and State
2000-01

Veribest Coolidge Water Valley Panther Creek Novice Region 15 State Avg.

No Degree 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.9% 1.3%

Bachelor 85.1% 78.7% 94.1% 87.0% 90.9% 82.4% 74.8%

Master/Doctorate 14.9% 21.3% 5.9% 13.0% 9.1% 16.6% 23.4%

Doctorate 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.1% 0.5%

Source: TEA, PEIMS 2000-01.
Exhibit 2-7 shows that, with the exception of Coolidge ISD, VISD and its peer districts reported lower annual dropout rates than either Region 15 or the state. VISD and two of its peers reported zero dropout rates. VISD reported the highest attendance rate at 97.2 percent, which is above the state average of 95.4 percent. Attendance rates are a significant portion of the calculation for the amount of state aid received by a district.
Exhibit 2-7
Annual Dropout and Attendance Rate
VISD, Peer Districts, Region 15 and State
1999-2000

Veribest Novice Panther Creek Water Valley Coolidge Reg 15 State Avg.

Dropout Rate 0.0% 0.0% 0.0% 0.4% 2.3% 1.5% 1.6%

Attendance Rate 97.2% 97.0% 96.7% 96.3% 95.5% 95.8% 95.4%

Source: TEA, AEIS 1999-2000.
Under the state's school accountability system, TEA assigns annual ratings to each district and school based upon (1) TAAS, (2) attendance, (3) dropout rates and (4) data quality. In 1999, TEA added two new rating categories: Unacceptable: Data Quality, a district-level rating, and Acceptable: Data Issues, a school-level rating.The accountability system includes five ratings for districts: Exemplary, Recognized, Academically Acceptable, Academically Unacceptable and Unacceptable: Data Quality.
To receive an Exemplary rating, at least 90 percent of all students, as well as 90 percent of African-American, Hispanic, Anglo and Economically Disadvantaged students, must pass the TAAS reading, writing and mathematics tests. To achieve a Recognized rating, 80 percent of all students and each student group must pass the TAAS reading, writing and mathematics tests. In 2000, to be rated Academically Acceptable, 50 percent of each student group must pass TAAS. Beginning in 2000, scores for students with disabilities and from the TAAS Spanish version of reading and mathematics in grades 3 through 6 were included in the accountability calculations. Although the state accountability system also considers attendance and dropout rates, TAAS is the primary determining factor in ratings. According to TEA, failure to meet TAAS standards is the primary reason that a school is rated Low-performing. However, other factors such as data quality can affect ratings.
Exhibit 2-8 shows that VISD and three of four peer districts were rated Recognized in 1995-96. VISD, along with Coolidge and Panther Creek ISDs, has been rated Recognized in four of the five years and Exemplary in the other year.
Exhibit 2-8
Accountability Ratings
VISD and Peer Districts
1995-96 through 1999-2000

1995-96 1996-97 19997-98 1998-99 1999-2000

Veribest Recognized Recognized Exemplary Recognized Recognized

Coolidge Recognized Recognized Recognized Exemplary Recognized

Panther Creek Recognized Recognized Recognized Recognized Exemplary

Novice Recognized Acceptable Unacceptable Recognized Exemplary

Water Valley Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Acceptable Recognized

Source: TEA, AEIS 1995-96 through 1999-2000.

	Student Enrollment		Ethnic Groups					Economic Disadvantaged
District	Number	5 Year Percent Change*	Percent African American	Percent Hispanic	Percent Anglo	Percent Other	Percent Minority	Percent	5 Year Percent Change*
Water Valley	315	(21.3%)	0.6%	18.4%	79.4%	1.6%	20.6%	38.7%	(2.8%)
Veribest	272	54.5%	0.7%	36.0%	61.4%	1.8%	38.6%	30.5%	(25.4%)
Coolidge	251	(5.3%)	23.9%	33.1%	43.0%	0.0%	57.0%	72.1%	(12.4%)
Panther Creek	217	(12.1%)	0.0%	12.4%	86.7%	0.9%	13.3%	37.8%	(33.3%)
Novice	98	(12.5%)	2.0%	15.3%	82.7%	0.0%	17.3%	75.5%	9.7%
Region 15	50,696	(3.8%)	3.6%	47.9%	47.8%	0.7%	52.2%	53.5%	5.1%
State	4,071,433	6.3%	14.4%	40.5%	42.1%	3.0%	57.9%	49.2%	2.3%

District	Total Expenditures	Instruct. Expend Per Student*	Percent Regular	Percent Gifted & Talented	Percent Special Educ.	Percent Career & Tech.	Percent Bil/ESL	Percent Compensatory
Novice	$1,348,861	$6,506	61.1%	0.5%	12.4%	7.8%	0.0%	14.2%
Panther Creek	$2,426,124	$5,086	56.8%	1.8%	18.0%	6.2%	0.0%	12.7%
Veribest	$2,084,013	$4,669	71.5%	0.3%	15.3%	5.5%	0.0%	6.3%
Water Valley	$3,249,351	$4,645	66.0%	2.3%	14.8%	5.6%	0.0%	6.9%
Coolidge	$2,301,242	$4,457	57.4%	0.2%	14.6%	6.1%	0.1%	18.1%
State	$31,639,852,010	$3,738	61.5%	1.7%	15.2%	4.0%	3.7%	11.7%

District	Percent Bilingual/ESL	Percent Career & Technology	Percent Gifted & Talented	Percent Special Education
Panther Creek	0.5%	35.0%	12.9%	21.2%
Veribest	5.9%	29.4%	2.6%	19.9%
Novice	0.0%	50.0%	9.2%	22.4%
Coolidge	13.5%	21.9%	5.6%	19.5%
Water Valley	0.3%	36.2%	4.8%	17.5%
Region 15	6.8%	22.9%	8.1%	13.9%
State	12.5%	18.9%	8.4%	12.1%

Professional Staff	Water Valley	Veribest	Panther Creek	Coolidge	Novice	Region 15	State Avg.
Teachers	62.3%	53.2%	54.2%	68.3%	51.8%	50.1%	50.6%
Professional Support	3.7%	6.4%	3.4%	5.1%	8.9%	6.8%	7.9%
Campus Administration	3.7%	2.1%	4.7%	5.1%	3.2%	2.6%	2.4%
Central Administration	1.3%	2.0%	2.4%	2.6%	3.6%	1.1%	1.0%
Educational Aides	0.0%	12.8%	11.8%	2.6%	10.8%	12.4%	10.3%
Auxiliary Staff	29.1%	23.5%	23.5%	16.4%	21.7%	27.0%	27.7%
Percent Minority Teachers	3.0%	3.7%	0.0%	7.5%	7.0%	16.7%	26.2%

	Veribest	Panther Creek	Novice	Coolidge	Water Valley	Region 15	State Average
Beginning Teachers	40.9%	21.7%	0.0%	11.2%	0.0%	4.9%	7.8%
1-5 Years Experience	21.9%	8.7%	28.0%	22.5%	32.0%	23.2%	27.3%
6-10 Years Experience	3.7%	17.4%	28.7%	32.6%	29.6%	18.6%	18.1%
11-20 Years Experience	14.9%	30.4%	29.4%	26.2%	23.7%	28.9%	25.3%
Over 20 Years Experience	18.6%	21.7%	14.0%	7.5%	14.8%	24.5%	21.5%
Average Years Experience	8.0	13.3	9.0	9.1	11.0	11.7	9.5%
Turnover	15.5%	10.3%	20.3%	17.4%	10.3%	13.6%	15.0%
Beginning Teacher Salary	$31,034	$31,763	N/A	$26,240	N/A	$26,256	$27,007
Average Teacher Salary 6-10 Years	$34,216	$30,118	$30,277	$33,597	$34,535	$32,834	$33,499

	Veribest	Coolidge	Water Valley	Panther Creek	Novice	Region 15	State Avg.
No Degree	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.9%	1.3%
Bachelor	85.1%	78.7%	94.1%	87.0%	90.9%	82.4%	74.8%
Master/Doctorate	14.9%	21.3%	5.9%	13.0%	9.1%	16.6%	23.4%
Doctorate	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.1%	0.5%

	Veribest	Novice	Panther Creek	Water Valley	Coolidge	Reg 15	State Avg.
Dropout Rate	0.0%	0.0%	0.0%	0.4%	2.3%	1.5%	1.6%
Attendance Rate	97.2%	97.0%	96.7%	96.3%	95.5%	95.8%	95.4%

	1995-96	1996-97	19997-98	1998-99	1999-2000
Veribest	Recognized	Recognized	Exemplary	Recognized	Recognized
Coolidge	Recognized	Recognized	Recognized	Exemplary	Recognized
Panther Creek	Recognized	Recognized	Recognized	Recognized	Exemplary
Novice	Recognized	Acceptable	Unacceptable	Recognized	Exemplary
Water Valley	Acceptable	Acceptable	Acceptable	Acceptable	Recognized