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LVISD Again Makes Recognized Rating (8/10/06)

Barbara Qualls, PhD, Superintendent - LVISD

The results for the 2006 District Accountability Ratings were released by the Texas Education Agency on August 1. LVISD again was among the top districts in Region 13 and the state. LVISD’s Recognized rating is a repeat from last year. In addition, each of the three LVISD campuses was also ranked Recognized. Thirteen of the 59 districts in our service area were ranked Recognized. Only two (Fayetteville ISD and Doss ISD) were ranked Exemplary. Complete results are available on the TEA website. See LVISD district-wide ratings here. Other area school districts generally received academically acceptable ratings: Austin ISD – Academically Acceptable, Del Valle – Academically Acceptable, Eanes ISD – Recognized, Lake Travis ISD – Academically Acceptable, Leander ISD – Academically Acceptable, Manor ISD – Academically Acceptable, Marble Falls ISD – Academically Acceptable, Pflugerville ISD – Academically Acceptable, and Round Rock ISD – Academically Acceptable.

Historically, LVISD has been successful in academic ratings, but not always in the top group. In 1994-1998, LVISD was rated Academically Acceptable with individual campuses sometimes rated Exemplary or Recognized. In 1999, LVISD received the rating of Recognized for the first time with recognition for college admission scores and TAAS/TASP equivalency. In 2000, the rating was Recognized but fell to Academically Acceptable in 2001. In 2002, the rating was Recognized with special recognition in advanced courses, AP/IB, college admissions, and RHSP. In 2003, the system changed dramatically with the introduction of the new and much more rigorous TAKS exams. For that reason, schools were not assigned new ratings, but instead retained the 2002 rating. With the new system in place in 2004, most districts across the state dropped in ratings. LVISD, however, was one of the few that retained Recognized status in the new system. In that year (2005), LVISD was Recognized with Gold Performance in AP/IB, attendance, commended writing, commended social studies, RHSP, SAT/ACT, and TAAS/TASP readiness. In 2005, LVISD was again part of a small group to attain Recognized with Gold Performance in AP/IB, attendance, commended reading, commended writing, RHSP, and TAAS/TASP readiness. We are extremely proud to again have received the Recognized status for 2006. Gold Performance designation will be released in October. Statewide, only 28.4% of schools received the highest two ratings. Among high schools, Lago Vista rated even higher than the District as a whole. Only 10% of the 1687 high schools in Texas received one of the top two ratings.

State totals for 2006 indicate that while a slightly larger number of campuses and districts achieved recognized ratings, a larger number were judged academically unacceptable, too. When a campus received the academically unacceptable rating for multiple years, its students may transfer to other campuses within the district or to neighboring districts. The state ranking system is weighted in emphasis on TAKS academic results, but other factors such as completion rate, attendance, and advanced curriculum play a part. In addition, subpopulation scores ‘count’ as heavily as general averages. LVISD has many areas where achievement is easily in the exemplary range, but also some smaller cells where improvement is desirable. In general, LVISD will concentrate on achieving stronger scores among students with limited English skills and in mathematics.

In other news, LVISD is in the midst of teacher and staff preparation for the upcoming school year. Staff development activities began August 3. We would like to give special thanks to all the area businesses and organizations that contributed gifts, discount cards, and supplies: Bam’s Roadhouse Grill, Edward Jones Investments, CVS Pharmacy, Dee-Dee’s Tacos and More, Security State Bank and Trust, eMD’s, Sonic Drive In, True Grits, Shaw Specialty Printing, LVPD DARE Program, Movie Gallery, and Highland Lakes Real Estate.

Sales Tax Holiday This Weekend (8/03/06)

Barbara Qualls, PhD, Superintendent - LVISD

On Friday through Sunday August 4–6, shoppers for back-to-school clothing and supplies get a break – no sales tax. For several years, the tax holiday has offered an opportunity for parents and kids to start a new school year with a small, but sometimes significant, savings on back-to-school purchases. In general, clothing, shoes and other selected items priced under $100 are exempt from sales and use taxes, which save shoppers about $8 on each $100 spent. As in years past, lay-away plans can be used to take advantage of the sales tax holiday.

The following list includes those items most frequently purchased without sales tax added during the holiday: baby clothes, belts with attached buckles, boots (cowboy, hiking), caps/hats, diapers (adult and baby), dresses, gloves, gym suits and uniforms, hooded shirts and hooded sweatshirts, hosiery, jeans, jerseys (baseball, football), jogging apparel, neckwear and ties, pajamas, pants and trousers, raincoats and ponchos, robes, shirts, shoes (sandals, slippers, sneakers, tennis, walking), socks (including athletic), shorts, suits, slacks, jackets, sweatshirts, sweat suits, sweaters, swimsuits, underclothes, work clothes, and uniforms.

There are, however, many commonly purchased items that are not tax-free during the weekend. These include accessories such as barrettes, elastic ponytail holders, wallets, and watches. Other non-exempt items are backpacks, baseball cleats and pants, belt buckles without a belt, boots for climbing, fishing, rubber work boots, ski boots, and waders. Other items that will be taxed are buttons and zippers, cloth and lace, knitting yarns, fabrics, dry cleaning services, football pants, golf gloves, handbags and purses, handkerchiefs, hard hats, helmets (bike, baseball, football, hockey, motorcycle, sports), ice skates, jewelry, laundering services, leather goods except belts with buckles and wearing apparel, pads for football, hockey, soccer, elbow, knee, and shoulder, personal flotation devices, rented clothing (including uniforms, formal wear, and costumes), roller blades and skates, safety clothing and glasses, sports shoes such as cleated bicycle, bowling, or golf shoes. This year’s sales tax holiday for clothing and footwear begins at 12:01 am on Friday, August 4, and ends at midnight on Sunday, August 6. The tax break is expected to save Texas consumers millions in state and local sales taxes.

Here are some highlights about the sales tax holiday:

The tax holiday occurs every year on the first Friday, Saturday, and Sunday of August. Qualifying items are exempt from state and local sales taxes.

Most clothing and footwear priced at less than $100 will be exempt from sales tax. Customers will receive the break on individual items, regardless of the total amount they buy. For example, sales tax is not due if a customer buys six shirts each priced at $99.99. But full tax is due on a shirt sold for $100; the first $99.99 cannot be exempted.

Clothing and footwear used primarily for athletic activities or for protective wear are not eligible for the exemption. Customers buying golf cleats or football pads, for instance, must pay sales tax. Athletic wear that is also used for participation in other non-athletic activities can qualify for tax exemption. For example, tennis shoes, baseball caps, and jogging suits are worn during everyday activities and thus may be purchased tax-free during the holiday.

Also excluded from the sales tax holiday are accessories such as jewelry and watches; items that are carried rather than worn, including handbags, briefcases and wallets; clothing rentals, such as formal wear and costumes; and repairs and alterations.

Texas Comptroller’s office online

Special Session Tackled More Than Property Taxes (7/26/06)

Barbara Qualls, PhD, Superintendent - LVISD

Last week, Representative Donna Howard visited with the LVISD Board of Trustees and citizens. Discussion centered on property tax compression from the legislature and concern from citizens that spiking property appraisals will nullify the effect of the compression. Generally, high-end property and lakefront property appears to have received the most dramatic increase in appraised values. The Travis Central Appraisal District has reported an extremely high volume of protests in property appraised values. Certified values will be released by July 25.

The legislative special session was primarily about property tax structure and relief, but several other action items are interesting and impact LVISD. The Texas Education Agency has provided some guidance in interpretation of the new legislation. In curriculum, there is a new requirement for four years of science and math instruction – up from the current three. LVISD is in a better position than some districts because 28 credits currently are required for graduation from LVHS, four more than the state requirement of 24. Many LVHS students already take four math and science credits. There are a number of science and math courses currently included in the secondary TEKS that can be used to meet the new requirements that affect the Recommended High School and Distinguished Achievement Programs. Examples of possible science courses include oceanography, astronomy, geology, and specialized courses within the standard biology, chemistry, and physics. The new requirement takes effect for those students entering 9th grade in the 2007-2008 school year. The State Board of Education will begin discussion of that topic at the July meeting since rules changes must be adopted by January 1, 2007.

Another change in curriculum and instruction is a provision that children of Texans serving in the armed forces are eligible for pre-kindergarten services. A provision for instruction that has been a point of controversy for several years is uniform school start date. Both sides of the issue have fought long and hard for their respective positions. Beginning in school year 2007-08, classes will begin in late August statewide. Because of that later start time, some educators have urged that the TAKS testing program be adjusted to reflect the lost instructional days in August. TEA has agreed to review the implications of the later start date.

Chapter 41 Robin Hood recapture definitions were also changed. The cap for recapture was moved from $305,000 property value per student to $319,500. That rise in cap value means that LVISD will be marginally helped in Robin Hood obligations, but the parallel rise in property values means that the actual dollars out remains extremely high. LVISD property value per student for purposes of Chapter 41 assignment is $472,299. Other Travis County districts that are classified as Chapter 41 are Austin ISD ($415,100), Manor ISD ($342,697), Eanes ISD ($832,828), and Lake Travis ISD ($595,746). Chapter 41 districts still have the same options for equalization that have been in place for fifteen years, the most common of which are direct payment to the State of Texas and contractual agreements for sharing with Chapter 42 districts. A new legal provision, however, makes Chapter 41/42 agreements less attractive. LVISD has been in partnership with Hooks ISD and Shepherd ISD for several years, but the new provisions for retention will likely not allow Hooks and Shepherd to benefit from a partnership. If LVISD makes its Chapter 41 payments directly to the state, there is an efficiency credit granted.

Another legislative change requires school districts to hold elections on uniform election dates and in conjunction with other municipal elections. LVISD already uses that practice and is contracted with Travis County for operation of its elections.

LVISD Rates Superior Achievement on TEA Finance Scale (7/17/06)

Barbara Qualls, PhD, Superintendent - LVISD

Last week, LVISD received notice of its preliminary 2006 rating for School FIRST, which is Superior Achievement. In 2001, the 77th Texas Legislature authorized the implementation of a new form of financial accountability for Texas schools, the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas, officially referred to as School FIRST. School FIRST was developed in consultation with the Comptroller of Public Accounts, and its development also benefited from the many comments that were received from school district and regional education service center personnel. The School FIRST rating is based upon an analysis of staff and student data plus budgetary and actual financial data. Since the beginning of the School FIRST program in 2001, Lago Vista ISD has earned the highest rating available, Superior Achievement. After the preliminary ratings are received, districts have an opportunity to protest the assigned rating before the final rating is assigned. Within two months after receipt of the final School FIRST rating, each school district will announce and hold a public meeting to distribute a financial management report that explains the district’s performance under each of the 21 indicators and the district’s rating. LVISD plans to announce and hold the School FIRST public meeting in the fall of 2006.

Each of the 21 indicators measures some aspect of financial efficiency and utilizes language where the desired answer is ‘yes’. This effort results in a format that is easy to scan and understand but also results in some convoluted items. Click here to view the LVISD FIRST instrument. The items include measurements of adequacy for the district’s fund balance, integrity of the annual audit, timely filing of audit, strength of internal controls systems, tax collection efficiency, integrity of PEIMS reporting data, efficiency of debt related expenditures, financial management, operating expenditures within acceptable parameters, efficiency of budget administration, management of cash and investments, administrative ratio efficiency, student:teacher ratio efficiency, student:staff ratio efficiency. Each year since its inception, the rigor of the FIRST assessment has increased – and each year LVISD has continued to receive the highest rating available. This year is the first time, however, that all 21 of the FIRST indicators have been met or exceeded. Ratings vary by the number of positive indicators. Superior Achievement is assigned to districts with 19 or more positive indicators, Above Standard Achievement for 17-18 positive indicators, Standard Achievement for 15-16 positive indicators, and Substandard Achievement for less than 15. In addition, several of the indicators are deemed critical – failure to meet the requirement of a single indicator could result in a substandard achievement rating. Critical indicators are related to integrity of fund balances and the annual audit report. In a continuing effort to improve, FIRST is expected to add new critical indicators concerning asset balance and the academic rating (AEIS) of the district and non-critical indicators concerning per-WADA expenditures. Perhaps the most reported change is involves the requirement to use 65% of expenditures on direct instruction. At the current time, LVISD meets the new expected parameters.

The entire FIRST report is posted and will be discussed in public meeting after the final rating assignment, but two particularly interesting indicators bear examination now. For a school district of LVISD’s size, the ‘acceptable’ range for student:teacher ratio is 11.5 to 22. The LVISD ratio is 13.67. The acceptable staff:student range is 6-14, with LVISD’s being 7.6164. This means that LVISD is maintaining a student:teacher:staff ratio on the extreme low end of acceptable standards. Small academic classes have been a longtime expectation in LVISD and help account for the continued academic success of students.

LVHS Summer Activities (7/13/06)

Donna Larkin, Principal - LVISD High School

The LVHS family is as busy as ever getting prepared for the upcoming school year. The master schedule has been completed and students’ schedules will soon be in the mail. Be sure to check your mail for schedules and other important information that will help keep you attuned with upcoming events. Many teachers are attending workshops and seminars in preparation for the year ahead. Students seem to be even busier than the rest of us, taking full advantage of their time to participate in Boys’ State and Girls’ State, Viking camps, drum major camp, summer sports leagues, winning awards at cheerleading camp, having car washes and performing at the July 4th celebration.

The high school master schedule includes 9 Advanced Placement courses. Student choices included 2 AP English courses (English III AP and English IV AP), 3 AP Science courses (Biology AP, Physics AP, and Environmental Science AP), 2 AP Social Studies courses (Economics AP and Government AP), 1 AP Math (Calculus AP) course and one AP Spanish (Spanish IV AP) course. Advanced Placement Art was also available but no students took advantage of that offering. Lago Vista High School also offers one Austin Community College Duel Credit course (US History) and a total of 10 different Pre-Advanced Placement courses. Some additional elective course offerings included Desktop Publishing, Wildlife/Entomology, Career Explorations and Advanced Broadcast Journalism.

We at the high school are always striving to improve instructional strategies that will meet the needs of all our students. Our teachers have been fine-tuning the Hill Country Curriculum this summer. The curriculum was developed through a team effort using highly skilled teachers from Lago Vista, Liberty Hill, Marble Falls, Rockdale, and Burnet along with Dr. John Crain and Region XIII personnel. These talented educators have created rigorous curricula that will help ensure students are prepared with the needed skills to become efficient problem solvers and global learners.

The hard working students and dedicated teachers and staff at Lago Vista High School need to be acknowledged for the improvements in this year’s TAKS scores. Our 9th graders improved in all areas. Reading improved from 93% meeting the standard to 98% and Math jumped from 71% to 81%. Tenth grade English Language Arts improved from 92% to 96%, with Math staying virtually the same moving from 78% to 77%. Our EXIT Level test takers made big jumps in all areas. The eleventh graders went from 79% to 95% in English Language Arts for a very nice gain of 16%, which included 37% Commended Performance. In Math the increase was even higher with a jump of 19% from 70% to 89%, with 25% receiving Commended recognition. Social Studies also increased 9% from 90% to 99%, with a total of 41% Commended. Science had a huge gain of 20%. Scores in Science went from 68% to 88% with 18% at the Commended level.

Our tenth and eleventh graders who scored a 4 on their TAKS writing ranked at the top when compared to other Travis County area school districts. Lago Vista High School eleventh graders topped all others with 14.1% receiving 4s. In comparison, Lake Travis had 7.2% score a 4 and Eanes/Westlake 7.5%. LVHS tenth graders had 15.4% score a 4, ranking right behind Lake Travis who had 17% and quite above Eanes who had 9.9%. Congratulations to our outstanding English department for these great results!

Time is flying by so quickly! Summer vacation will soon be ending and another year will begin. We at LVHS are looking forward to another great year. Enjoy every day that is left of summer and see you soon!

Taking Advantage of Hill Country Consortium (7/6/06)

Sandy Apperley, Asst. Superintendent - Lago Vista ISD

In Lago Vista ISD, as in many school districts across the state, emphasis is placed on providing quality learning experiences for students – learning experiences that not only reflect the state mandated curriculum (Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills or TEKS), but also experiences that are clearly defined and sequenced in an appropriate, meaningful way. For this reason, over 55 LVISD teachers and administrators have been involved for the past 18 months in the Hill Country Curriculum Consortium or HCCC. Formed in 2005, the members of the consortium include five central Texas school districts. Lago Vista ISD, Burnet CISD, Liberty Hill ISD, Marble Falls ISD, and Rockdale ISD have worked collaboratively with consultants from Region XIII Education Service Center and Dr. John Crain to develop vertically aligned curriculum documents in the core content areas of Math, Science, Social Studies and Language Arts. Dr. Crain, a nationally known curriculum authority, has worked with a number of school districts in the Dallas area, including Highland Park ISD, Plano ISD, and McKinney ISD.

Our consortium is unique in several ways. First, the HCCC project was the first project undertaken by Dr. Crain to involve multiple small districts. In the past, Dr. Crain had used this process of curriculum development with a number of larger districts, but because of the cost involved in such a project, it was not a feasible one for small districts to undertake. Second, Region XIII was willing to assume most of the cost of the project; therefore, the costs to consortium member districts would be much less. LVISD only paid for substitutes and teacher stipends for summer work. Third, teachers had an opportunity to collaborate with teachers from other districts. In a district our size, there is generally one teacher per course, for example Chemistry, at the secondary schools. The time to discuss and share with other master teachers was an excellent opportunity for LVISD staff to question, probe, and analyze the TEKS and share expertise.

Three major tasks have been completed by the consortium. A vertical alignment document has been completed by each content area, grades K-12. The vertical alignment document assures equity of grade level standards, provides a system of reducing gaps and instructional redundancies, and focuses teachers’ planning time. When developing the vertical alignment documents, teachers reviewed the appropriate grade level/content area Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills statements and added to those general statements very specific content standards producing a document that clearly defines a sequence of student expectations. The second task undertaken by the consortium was the organization of the student expectations into rational, coherent units of instruction. These units provide teachers with a wealth of information including timelines to ensure that all appropriate grade level TEKS are taught, key vocabulary to ensure a common language of instruction, examples to show the depth and complexity of the student expectations, and curricular connections to other content areas. The third task that has been completed is weekly plans. These plans provide additional guidelines and more specific information concerning the delivery of the curriculum. The weekly plans were developed primarily to be used with new teachers to ensure that the curriculum that we have written will be taught in classrooms regardless of how long a teacher has been in LVISD.

Much has been accomplished by a very talented, dedicated group of LVISD educators. We now have in place a vertically and horizontally aligned curriculum, subject to change as we continually evaluate the needs of students and community. LVISD remains committed to whatever work is necessary to continue to provide a living, quality curriculum for our students.

School Is Still Just for Kids (6/29/06)

Paul Bixler, Principal - Lago Vista Middle School

There have been conversations state-wide as well as in our community about the reporting by Just for the Kids. Just for the Kids has been around for a while. Their focus is student accountability aimed at mastery. At the initiation of Just for the Kids, Lago Vista recognized their value.

Early on, all of the building administrators and some of the central office administrators completed the Just for the Kids “Best Practices” training. Many of the best practices identified, such as benchmarking student progress, have been and continue to be practiced by the Lago Vista schools.

As the standard for performance, Just for the Kids utilizes “Commended” performance on the TAKS. We agree that this is the right idea. The most current data being communicated by Just for the Kids is from the 2004 – 2005 school year. Let’s update this information.

At the end of last school year, as is always the case, Lago Vista Middle School received the preliminary results of our students’ performance. Pleased with the overall effort of our students, special recognition is deserved.

Over the last three years, Lago Vista Middle School has committed to increasing the number of our students that receive commended performance. To achieve commended performance, a student must answer all questions on an individual TAKS-tested area correctly, or miss no more than one or two. Our efforts have been successful with notable outstanding results.

The students’ commended performances in TAKS Reading have surged upward every year. In the 2004 administration of the TAKS Reading, 30% of the Lago Vista Middle School 6th grade students achieved commended performance. In the 2006 administration, 44% of our 6th grade students achieved commended performance. In the seventh grade, over the same period of time, the percentage of commended student performances has risen from 29% in 2004 to 38% in 2006. Our 8th grade students are also raising the bar with 55% of our 8th grade students in 2006 achieving commended performance as compared with 25% in 2004.

In TAKS Math, the Viking scholars have shined. In 2004, 30% of our 6th grade students, 17% of our 7th grade students, and 15% of our 8th grade students achieved commended performance. In this most recent administration of the TAKS Math, 45% of our 6th grade students, and 24% of our 7th and 8th grade students achieved commended performances.

In the TAKS Writing, Lago Vista Middle School 7th grade students have always been at the very top in the state. This year exceeds even that. In the 2004 and 2005 administrations of the TAKS Writing, 44% of the Lago Vista Middle School 7th grade students achieved commended performance. This year an amazing 70% of our 7th grade students were commended in their performance. In addition to the objective portion of the TAKS Writing there is a written response. The written responses are assessed from a low of “0” to a high of “4.” In all of Travis County the highest percentage of students achieving a score of 4 attend Lago Vista Middle School. Almost 21% of the Lago Vista Middle School 7th grade students achieved a 4. The closest district in Travis County to this exemplary performance is Eanes ISD with a 19.7% performance. The Lago Vista Middle School 7th graders are truly the best.

Congratulations to the students, parents, and faculty at Lago Vista Middle School. There is room and commitment for improvement. This school year we will once again aggressively pursue increasing the number of students achieving commended performance. However, what a great place to begin.

2006/2007 Teacher Salary Schedule (6/26/06)

The LVISD Board of Trustees met at 8:00 AM on Monday June 26, 2006.

The Board approved the compensation schedule, for school year 2006-07 proposed by the administration. Teachers received a salary increase of $2000 as a result of House Bill 1.

In addition, each teacher, counselor, librarian, and nurse will receive an additional $1230 local money for a total of $3230 over last year's salary. The midpoint salary percentage increase for teachers is 8.5%. That percentage will be applied to all other LVISD employee salary schedules.

All stipends and extra duty stipends will remain in place.

TAKS Scores for Grades 3 and 5 Shine Like the Summer Sun (6/22/06)

Beth Mohler, Principal - LVISD Elementary School

Summer in Texas is sizzling in 2006. It is a time for cool water, trips on the boat or to the pool, fun and relaxation. At LVES, summer is also a time for reflection over the past school year and preparations to meet the new school year in August. One tool for this reflection and planning process is the report of Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) scores from the Texas Education Agency. Final scores for students in grades 3 and 5 arrived after school was out. Lago Vista Elementary is pleased to announce that 96% of all students in grade 3 mastered the third grade reading exam. This test is part of President Bush’s initiative to improve schools. The No Child Left Behind legislation mandated that all children would be reading on grade level by the end of third grade. LVES has consistently met that standard. No child has yet been retained in third grade due to failure to master the rigorous TAKS exam. Students are well on track toward meeting that goal again this year. Fifth grade scores reflect the same level of excellence with 94% mastery of reading and 97% mastery of mathematics.

Another factor that educators consider when examining scores is the number of students who achieve commended performance on the TAKS. LVES has shown consistent gains in this area over the past several years. In third grade reading, LVES had an outstanding 60% of students reach the level of commended performance. This means that students mastered all objectives on the test and missed two or fewer questions. In fact, several students reached the outstanding level of 100% correct answers. This shows an improvement from 40% in 2004 and 51% in 2005.

Fifth graders also had high levels of commended performance. The fifth grade exam tends to be more difficult as the students are older. The state average for commended performance in third grade reading was 38%. By fifth grade the state average had decreased to 22%. At Lago Vista Elementary School, fifth graders achieved 33% commended performance. Forty-one percent of fifth graders achieved commended performance in mathematics.

The TAKS exam was instituted to take the place of TAAS four years ago. In that time, the requirement to master the exam has increased each year. LVES provides a variety of programs to ensure that all students achieve at top levels. Some of these programs include our Title I reading support program, summer school, after school tutorials, and volunteers from Lago Vista High School and from the community. In addition, teachers have been involved in developing the Hill Country Curriculum to ensure that students are being taught at great depth and complexity. This intensive effort should reap rewards for learning for students at LVISD for years to come.

Thanks to all of the fine teachers, staff and parents at LVES who helped make this past year a successful learning experience for students. We will continue to reflect upon this past year and examine ways to make improvements for next year. We hope you all stay safe and cool as the summer that is shaping up to be one of the hottest in recent memory unfolds. For any students out there – we also hope you read a few good books!

Advanced Placement Classes (6/15/06)

During the summer, LVISD employees are quite busy preparing for the upcoming school year, closing out 2005-06 activities and reports, and various other tasks. Most of those tasks are not particularly interesting for Log readers, so I plan to utilize the courtesy column during the summer for sharing information about some topics where public interest and knowledge may not be in alignment. One such topic involves Advanced Placement (AP) programs, especially how those programs are articulated in LVISD.

AP courses are sponsored by a national organization, the College Board, which provides general content requirements and syllabi, but still allows a great deal of discretion in teaching by the individual teacher, each of whom is specifically trained in AP instructional strategies. The difficulty of each AP course is intended to be equivalent to what students will encounter at the college level. At the conclusion of a course, usually in late spring, students have the option of taking a nationally standardized exam covering course content. Scores are on a scale of 1 to 5, with 5 being the best. Colleges and universities have different requirements for accepting AP scores for credit, with some exclusive higher education institutions accepting only scores of 5.

In secondary schools, two fundamental issues concerning AP programs and student participation in them need to be addressed. First, the College Board strongly recommends that a student take limited number of AP courses concurrently due to the rigor and outside-of-class time demanded. A local school must decide whether it will impose a limit on the number of concurrent AP classes a student may take. Lago Vista High School’s policy is to counsel each student individually with advice on course load, including the number and selection of AP classes. Second, local schools should decide whether strong emphasis will be placed on the end-of-course exam. The quality of instruction, specific course content, and the development of higher order thinking skills – part of the goal of any AP course – are enough to warrant taking the course. If a student’s progress in the class over the course of the school year is adequate, the teacher will award credit. It is possible, even likely, that many students take AP classes and benefit from them but either choose not to take the College Board exam or take it but do not receive a score of 3 or more. Lago Vista High School’s policy is to offer the exams and assist students in preparation for them but also to emphasize the benefit of having taken AP-level courses.

Other schools of comparable size, such as those in LVHS’ UIL competitive district, are considerably below LVHS in the numbers of course offerings.

Rogers HS-3, Jarrell HS-4, Academy HS-10, Florence HS-12, Rosebud-Lott-4, Troy HS-12, Salado HS-11, while Lago Vista HS has 22 courses.

The first AP courses were offered at LVHS in school year 1996-97. Prior to that time, no AP or PreAP classes were offered. The following list indicates the number of unique AP and PreAP classes that have been offered at LVHS by school year: 1996-5, 1997-11, 1998-14, 1999-18, 2000-18, 2001-21, 2002-22, 2003-21, 2004-20, and 2005-22. The courses offered in 2005 were English I PreAP, English II PreAP, English III AP, English IV AP, Geometry PreAP, Algebra II PreAP, PreCal PreAP, Calculus AB-AP, US History AP, Economics AP, Government AP, Biology PreAP, Biology II AP, Chemistry PreAP, Chemistry II AP, Physics PreAP, Physics B-AP, Environmental Science AP, Spanish II PreAP, Spanish III PreAP, Spanish IV AP, and Studio Art AP.

The number and diversity of course offerings at LVHS is extensive and growing.