FAST Reports

The 2009 Legislature through House Bill 3 directed the State Comptroller to “identify school districts and campuses that use resource allocation that contribute to high academic achievement and cost-effective practices.” In response, Financial Allocation Study for Texas (FAST) examines both academic progress and spending for Texas school districts and campuses.   (www.FASTexas.org)

According to the methods developed by FAST, the system places districts and campuses on a “level playing field” for comparisons of academic performance and spending since factors such as geography, economics and demographics are controlled.  Using a combination between the academic and spending factors, the district or campus FAST rating is determined.

ACADEMICS – data used is through the 2008 – 2009 school year

For academic comparisons, FAST uses a value added model that measures achievement by controlling for student characteristics to estimate how much a district or campus contributes to student learning. Using a three year average of TAKS scores, academic progress is evaluated in Reading/Language Arts and math individually and in a combined measure (Composite Academic Progress Rating) and reported as a percentile.   The scale ranges from one to ninety-nine.

Humble ISD had a score of 70 for the Composite Academic Progress Rating.   Therefore, Humble ISD, during the three years used in the data set, showed as much or more progress on the Composite Academic Progress Ratings than 70 percent of the districts statewide.

SPENDING INDEX – data used is through the 2007 – 2008 school year

The spending index uses three year averages as well and compares districts and campuses to “fiscal peers” by matching districts and campuses according common cost factors such as wages, size, geography and student demographics.  The spending index is reported according the quintile in which a district or campus falls relative to “fiscal peers’ and is reported in the range of very low to very high.

Humble ISD had a score of VERY LOW indicating the lowest relative spending level within our peer group.

FAST RATINGS

The FAST rating integrates the academic progress and spending measures to identify districts and campuses that demonstrate “cost-effective academic growth.” Stars are awarded according to the chart below.  Five stars can only be earned for high composite academic progress percentile (80 – 99) AND a very low spending index.

Humble ISD was rated with four and a half (4.5) stars due to a composite academic progress percentile of 70 and a VERY LOW spending index.

 

Click here for a breakdown of what the numbers mean.
Click here for FAST reports from local school districts.