The Texas Education Agency rated the Arlington ISD Met Standard in the first release of ratings under the state's new accountability system, which utilizes four indices -student achievement, student progress, closing performance gaps and postsecondary readiness. The district and individual campuses receive ratings of either Met Standard or Improvement Required. All five schools that were previously rated Academically Unacceptable are now rated Met Standard, and three of them received distinction designations.

Campuses have the ability to earn distinction designations in three areas -academic achievement in reading/ELA, academic achievement in math and top 25 percent student progress. An additional 36 of the district's 68 campuses eligible to receive distinction received at least one designation:

• 3 of 6 high schools
• 12 of 12 junior highs
• 24 of 50 elementaries

"I am proud of the success of our students and our campuses," Superintendent Dr. Marcelo Cavazos said. "I am particularly pleased that all 12 junior highs received distinction designations and that six junior highs received all three."

These junior highs are Bailey, Carter, Gunn, Hutcheson, Ousley and Shackelford. Pearcy Elementary also received all three.

According to the TEA, 65 of the 68 campuses are rated as Met Standard. Three campuses -Ellis, Speer and Thornton elementaries -failed to meet the Index 3 requirement for closing performance gaps and are, therefore, rated Improvement Required.

"To have so many of our schools receive distinction designations in this first year of ratings confirms the sustainability of our efforts in implementing the Achieve Today. Excel Tomorrow. strategic plan," Cavazos said.