CREEED Launches Achievement for All Initiative to Recognize High-Performing Elementary Schools
BY: Eddie Rodriguez, Executive Director, CREEED
CREEED recently launched our newest initiative, Achievement for All, that recognizes some of the highest performing elementary schools in El Paso County. We didn’t just name the schools that had the highest scores on the STAAR tests, however. Instead, we combined the overall percentage of students who passed both Reading and Math at the MEETS standards level on the state STAAR exams and the percentage of economically disadvantaged students who passed both Reading and Math at the MEETS level. The rankings are reached by combining both percentages. By including the economically disadvantaged indicator, the initiative emphasizes one of CREEED’s core beliefs: academic excellence is possible for every child and should not be predetermined by economic background.
We often have conversations about low test scores throughout El Paso County and the reasons behind those scores. Very often, the topic of the economic level of the area is brought up. Our aim is not to dismiss the role economics plays in education, but instead to say that yes, it takes greater resources to provide excellent education to certain populations. So, let’s figure out a way, as a community, to provide those resources.
RECOGNIZING TOP PERFORMING SCHOOLS, EDUCATORS, AND STAFF
As part of Achievement for All, CREEED will annually recognize the top five performing elementary schools in El Paso County by rewarding every educator, administrator and staff at each school. We know that everyone on campus plays a part in students’ educational experience and ensuring students want to keep coming back to school, and we want to reward anyone who has a part in excellent student performance!
CONGRATULATIONS TO THE INAUGURAL ACHIEVEMENT FOR ALL SCHOOLS
| Elementary School | District | MEETS % for All Students Tested | MEETS % for Economically Disadvantaged Students | Total Score | Ranking |
| Glen Cove | Ysleta | 69% | 66% | 135 | 1st |
| Sgt. Roberto Ituarte | Socorro | 70% | 64% | 134 | 2nd |
| Vista Hills | Ysleta | 65% | 59% | 124 | 3rd |
| Cactus Trails | Socorro | 61% | 55% | 116 | 4th |
| Hawkins | El Paso | 56% | 56% | 112 | 5th (tied) |
| School of Excellence | Harmony | 57% | 55% | 112 | 5th (tied) |
| Region | 37% | 32% | |||
| State | 38% | 27% |
Six schools are being recognized this year due to a tie for 5th place.
FOUNDATIONAL WORK IS KEY
Our goal is to increase educational attainment and prepare El Paso students for post-secondary education and the workforce. We have previously developed a program called AIM High at the middle school level that aims to increase the number of students taking Algebra I in 8th grade in the hopes of preparing those students for dual-credit and other advanced courses in high school. We have also provided funding to ensure there are more dual credit and AP certified educators in El Paso, because those advanced classes better prepare students for post-secondary education opportunities.
But none of that is possible without excellent elementary-level education. Achievement for All honors the work being done at the elementary school level because that work is foundational to everything else.
