Among the Region’s Best
August 20, 2015
UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications
UT Tyler Innovation Academy Excels in Academic Performance, Receives TEA ‘STEM’ Distinctions
August 20, 2015
Media Contact: Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)
August 20, 2015
The University of Texas at Tyler Innovation Academy is one of the highest performing
schools in the region, Mark Parkerson, UT Tyler Ingenuity Center executive director,
announced.
Following the release of 2015 STAAR scores, the Texas Education Agency has designated all three IA campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as “Texas STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) Academies” for the 2015-16 school year. In addition, the Longview campus received distinctions in reading, science, student progress; and academic achievement among economically disadvantaged students. The Palestine campus also received distinctions in mathematics and science. The TEA awards distinctions to those schools that rank in the top 25 percent of comparison schools with similar demographics.
Overall, the UT Tyler Innovation Academy outperformed the other charter schools that operate in Tyler.
“We are very proud of the recent scores released by TEA that reflects the tremendous improvement in student performance on each of our three campuses and district, as well as, the distinctions earned for exemplary academic performance,” said Dr. Jo Ann Simmons, IA superintendent. “This performance is a direct result of our teachers and district staff’s hard work and focus on each and every one of our students at the IA. While we are pleased with our progress, we are committed to continuous improvement throughout our schools by maximizing the learning potential of each child through our unique project based learning program.”
Serving more than 600 students, the UT Tyler Innovation Academy is the largest university charter district in Texas. The charter was approved by the State Board of Education in 2012, and locations were opened at each UT Tyler campus in Tyler, Longview and Palestine within the same year.
For more information, visit uttia.org.
One of the 15 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of more than 8,000 high-ability students. UT Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.