Improvements in Academic Ratings for Houston Independent School District
Dozens of Houston Independent School District campuses are set to see an improvement in their academic ratings in 2024, as indicated by preliminary scores released recently. This positive development reflects the progress the district has made in its first year under state-designated leadership.
Positive Trend in School Ratings
The ratings for HISD schools, graded on the A to F scale, show a significant improvement. The number of schools receiving A and B grades has nearly doubled, while the number of schools receiving D and F grades has decreased by about two-thirds. This shift in ratings highlights the commitment to enhancing educational outcomes across the district.
Factors Influencing Grades
The grades assigned to schools are based on a complex formula that heavily relies on standardized test results. Families often use these grades as a measure of how effectively schools are educating students. HISD follows the state’s methodology for calculating scores, ensuring alignment with official ratings released by the Texas Education Agency.
Key factors influencing the overall score include student performance on standardized tests, improvements in test scores from the previous year, closing achievement gaps among different demographic groups, and measures of college and career readiness for high school students. Year-over-year improvement has been a significant driver in raising the ratings of many HISD campuses this year.
Continued Growth and Focus on Accountability
While HISD has made significant progress in boosting school ratings, there is a continued emphasis on maintaining high levels of growth to sustain these positive trends. The district aims to outperform other school districts in improving accountability scores, reflecting a commitment to continuous improvement.
As the district moves forward, there is a recognition that more work needs to be done to narrow the achievement gap and enhance overall academic performance. By focusing on sustained growth and accountability measures, HISD aims to continue its upward trajectory in the coming years.
