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Abilene ISD presents MAP data and Quality Seats Analysis showing mixed district gains and middle‑school gaps
Summary
District staff told trustees that MAP growth data largely mirrors STAR performance: districtwide progress includes bright spots and a 34% share of students in A/B campuses compared with a 75% North Star target; presenters highlighted middle‑school gaps, campus successes, and staffing and facility implications.
Abilene ISD leaders presented a data‑heavy Quality Seats Analysis and MAP assessment review at their Oct. 2 workshop, documenting campus‑level variation in achievement and growth, progress on college‑career‑military readiness and persistent middle‑school performance gaps even as some campuses register strong gains.
"We want, as a school district, to make sure that we're getting credit for serving the student body that we actually serve," the superintendent said while explaining why supplemental family forms matter for Texas Education Agency accountability. Presenters described MAP as an adaptive assessment that produces an individual RIT score and percentiles that teachers use for small‑group instruction, goal setting and projecting STAR/ACT outcomes.
Why it matters: The district tied MAP results to its Quality Seats Analysis and its North Star strategic target — having 75% of students in A/B campuses by 2028–29 — and reported it is currently ahead of the original pace with roughly 34% in A/B campuses based on 2024–25 results. Presenters cautioned that gaps are largest in K–8, especially middle school, and that the district’s overall gains are offset by multiple campuses still needing significant improvement.
Presenters and evidence: Carrie Thornberg, executive director of elementary education, and colleagues ran through MAP reporting features and teacher uses; an NWEA informational video showed how MAP adapts to student responses. The executive director for innovation summarized QSA findings, noting that 13 of 19 campuses improved their A–F ratings since 2022 and that several elementary campuses are bright spots (Purcell, Austin) while three of four middle schools remain an area of focus.
The data showed a correlation between MAP achievement/growth and STAR performance. For example, staff highlighted Purcell Elementary’s turnaround with double‑digit increases in MAP growth and a campus rating that improved by nearly 19 points between two school years. At the middle‑school level, CLAC (a campus referenced in the presentation) rose notably in MAP growth and showed corresponding gains on STAR measures.
Staffing and facilities implications: The presentation identified opportunities to expand the percentage of teachers designated under Texas’ Teacher Incentive Allotment (TIA) without an apparent adverse effect on campus ratings and found no consistent local correlation between average teacher experience and campus performance. On facilities, enrollment trends after recent elementary closures pushed more elementary campuses toward an 85% utilization threshold, while many secondary campuses have under‑used capacity; staff said the QSA will feed the November annual school plan and future boundary/facility decisions.
What trustees asked and next steps: Board members asked whether MAP projections align to STAAR and other state tests; staff said MAP can project STAR/ACT performance and that districts currently may continue using MAP while monitoring state testing choices. Staff asked trustees to use the QSA in November’s annual school plan, and they signaled continuing work on staffing strategies, grant alignment and targeted supports for middle schools. The board will consider related agenda items at its Oct. 6 regular meeting.
