EL PASO, Texas (KTSM) — Ysleta and El Paso school districts have released their Texas Education Agency (TEA)’s unofficial annual rating for the 2023-24 school year.
According to both districts, this year the TEA has a new accountability rating system that scores school districts with grades A through F, A being the best and F being the worst grades.
The ratings for the districts were based on three domain performances in Student Achievement, School Progress and Closing the Gaps.
Ysleta Independent School District earned a score of 86 (B+) for overall academic performance for the 2023-24 school year and a 89 for college and career readiness, according to YISD in a news release.
“Congratulations to all of our high-performing campuses for once again making us the highest-rated school district in the region for the third year in a row,” said YISD Superintendent Dr. Xavier De La Torre.
“Our stability, success, and statewide reputation as a preeminent school system in El Paso didn’t happen by accident. It requires a multitude of strategic efforts, from our time-tested instructional framework and curriculum to the hard work of our dedicated faculty, staff, and administrators. Thanks to our small, supportive, and safe learning environments, our teachers and principals are able to focus on what they do best: Teach and inspire the leaders of the next generation,” he said.
El Paso Independent School District earned a score of 77 (C) for overall academic performance for the 2023-24 school year.
“We recognize that transforming our district will require an ongoing, comprehensive approach, starting with a guaranteed and viable curriculum along with strong campus leadership,” said Superintendent Diana Sayavedra.
“Our efforts have been centered on fostering an environment where every student can achieve their full potential. We are just beginning to see the fruits of our labor. The progress we’ve made is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our educators, students, and the entire El Paso ISD community. But make no mistake, it is clear that there’s still much more to achieve, and we are committed to putting in the necessary work,” she said.
Both districts stated that these ratings are unofficial due to the TEA currently facing a lawsuit that is prohibiting the release of official accountability ratings.
According to an article by the Texas Tribune, a Travis County judge is blocking the ratings who, in agreement with over 120 schools, argued that the TEA did not give enough notice to school districts before introducing stricter college readiness standards.
This isn’t the first time that Texas districts are suing the TEA, another lawsuit was made when district leaders questioned the AI system used to score open exam questions in the STAAR exams for the first time in 2023, also according to the Texas Tribune.
We will update this story with other school district’s state scores.
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