Vernon ISD presents NWEA-based accountability breakdowns; VES shows gains, McCord posts mixed results

At the Sept. 22 Vernon ISD board meeting, Superintendent Dr. Kermit Ward reviewed campus accountability data based on NWEA results and outlined strengths and next steps for McCord Elementary and Vernon Elementary (VES).

For McCord Elementary, Dr. Ward reported that Kindergarten reading Meets-or-Higher was 63% and 1st-grade reading 59%; both grades were 57% Meets-or-Higher in math. He cited collaboration on master scheduling, behavior management, flexibility to meet student needs and the Teacher Incentive Allotment as factors that went well. Work ahead includes creating more teacher preparation time, supporting a new principal, focusing PLC time on student learning, making more data-driven decisions and ensuring instructional rigor.

Dr. Ward said VES received a 'C' accountability rating for the second consecutive year but showed measurable gains year over year: Student Achievement rose from 59 to 69 and Relative Performance from 60 to 72. Dr. Ward noted that third- through fifth-grade students were above the Meets goals in both reading and math and that fifth-grade science was at the Meets goal (38%). He listed campus successes (3rd-grade rearrangement, self-contained 2nd and 3rd grades, walkthrough scheduling and family engagement events) and priorities including behavior plans for challenged students, maximizing the Bluebonnet Curriculum, protecting instructional time and shifting WIN support.

Trustees received the reports as informational; no policy votes were taken on the accountability items at the meeting.