By Bill Zeeble, KERA News
http://stream.publicbroadcasting.net/production/mp3/kera/local-kera-986449.mp3
Dallas, TX – A tiny fraction of all Texas school districts - just 4 percent - have earned a top rating from the state comptroller's office that measures high student achievement and efficient spending. KERA's Bill Zeeble caught up with the State Comptroller who's office issued the report.
Texas Comptroller Susan Combs says the Financial Allocation Study for Texas - or FAST - encourages big buyers of materials, like school districts, to share purchases of goods and services, buy in bulk, or use other cost-saving measures.
Combs: Some schools are doing a very, very smart job of taking their expenses, normal expenses, such as buying or energy, whatever, and then they're delivering a huge increase in academic performance for a low price. So when you get a 5 star that means you academic improvement for the least cost. It's very exciting.
In North Texas, some of the 5-star districts include Allen, Coppell, Garland, Irving, Keller, Mesquite, and Sunnyvale. Several charter schools, including Children First Academy Of Dallas also made the list. Dallas and Fort Worth ISDs ranked just 2 stars.
While in north Texas, Combs also presented Eastfield Community College with $147,000 grant. It will help train students for jobs in renewable energy technologies. She will visit Tarrant County College and Irving ISD today.
5 Star Districts: fastexas.org/results
To check your school district rating: ourcpa.cpa.state.tx.us
Every Chance Every Texan Info: everychanceeverytexan.org