Local school districts react to latest accountability scores

The Texas Education Agency has released the latest accountability ratings for school districts, and results across Liberty County and neighboring areas show a mix of outcomes.

Overall district scores are based on the state’s STAAR testing system, which has been criticized for years by educators, parents, and advocates who argue it is not a fair measure of student or district achievement. The scores reflect performance from the previous school year.

The STAAR system evaluates students largely on the results of a single test given on a single day, sometimes on subject matter two grade levels above where the student is placed. Critics, including Raise Your Hands Texas, note that this ignores other crucial aspects of education, such as fine arts, vocational training, extracurricular activities, student engagement, and growth over time.

Last week, the Texas Senate passed Senate Bill 8, which would replace STAAR with a new model requiring three shorter assessments each year — one at the beginning, one in the middle, and one at the end of the school year. The goal is to measure academic progress rather than a single day’s performance. House Bill 8, a companion bill, is still awaiting action in the Texas House.

Cleveland ISD Superintendent Glenn Barnes expressed optimism about the district’s path forward, despite its overall F rating.

“I think we have the right people in place to ensure that our students get the right quality of education. If our kids can build airplanes that fly, then we are able to improve our accountability scores. We are going to ensure that great things happen at Cleveland ISD,” Barnes said.

He added that Raise Your Hands Texas has raised valid points about the accountability system, saying it does not adequately consider a student’s academic growth.

Liberty ISD Superintendent Dusty McGee, whose district earned a C rating, said the current system does little to reflect real student success.

“All of our Liberty County ISDs are proud of the effort by our students, teachers and staff. We maintain our position that a one-day test does very little to actually measure the achievement of a student, school or district. It seems many who pass legislation in Austin agree, and hopefully things change in the near future. Our focus continues to be on welcoming, loving and educating kids as we try to open doors to a better future for our students and community. We will continue to do that work each day,” McGee said.

Hardin ISD Superintendent Scott Mackey, whose district also earned a C rating, echoed McGee’s concerns.

“Some school districts have language barriers and economic challenges. It’s such an unfair game,” Mackey said.

He added that students are often being tested at two grade levels above them, which he believes sets them up for failure.

Overall Accountability Scores for Area Districts

• Barbers Hill ISD — A/93
• Cleveland ISD — F/59
• Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD — D/69
• Dayton ISD — C/73
• Devers ISD — A/95
• Hardin ISD — C/75
• Hull-Daisetta ISD — F/59
• International Leadership of Texas (ILTexas) — C/74 – This score includes ILTexas campuses across the state.
• Liberty ISD — C/70
• Shepherd ISD — D/67
• Splendora ISD — D/67
• Tarkington ISD — C/73
• West Hardin County CISD — C/73

Each score reflects the district as a whole, taking into account all campuses. For a campus-by-campus breakdown, see the list below.

Barbers Hill ISD

• Alternative School — Grades 7–12 — Not Rated
• Barbers Hill Elementary North — Grades 1–3 — A
• Barbers Hill Elementary South — Grades 1–3 — A
• Barbers Hill High School — Grades 9–12 — A
• Barbers Hill Intermediate North — Grades 4–6 — A
• Barbers Hill Intermediate South — Grades 4–6 — A
• Barbers Hill Middle School North — Grades 7–8 — A
• Barbers Hill Middle School South — Grades 7–8 — A
• Early Childhood Center — Early Education–Kindergarten — A

Cleveland ISD

• Cleveland High School — Grades 9–12 — D
• Cleveland Middle School — Grades 6–8 — F
• Cottonwood Elementary — Early Education–Grade 5 — F
• Disciplinary Alternative Education Program — Grades 3–12 — Not Rated
• Eastside Elementary — Early Education–Grade 5 — F
• Frederick A. Douglass Learning Academy — Grades 9–12 — D
• Northside Elementary — Early Education–Grade 5 — F
• Pine Burr Elementary — Early Education–Grade 5 — D
• Santa Fe Elementary — Early Education–Grade 5 — D
• Santa Fe Middle School — Grades 6–8 — F
• Southside Elementary — Early Education–Grade 5 — F

Coldspring-Oakhurst CISD

• Coldspring Intermediate — Grades 3–5 — C
• Coldspring-Oakhurst High School — Grades 9–12 — C
• Lincoln Junior High — Grades 6–8 — F
• Street Elementary — Prekindergarten–Grade 2 — C

Dayton ISD

• Austin Elementary — Kindergarten–Grade 5 — C
• Colbert Elementary — Early Education–Prekindergarten — C
• Dayton High School — Grades 9–12 — B
• Fredda Nottingham Alternative Education Center — Grade 12 — Not Rated
• Kimmie M. Brown Elementary — Kindergarten–Grade 5 — F
• Richter Elementary — Kindergarten–Grade 5 — C
• Wilson Junior High — Grades 6–8 — D

Devers ISD

• Devers Elementary — Prekindergarten–Grade 5 — A
• Devers Junior High — Grades 6–8 — A

Hardin ISD

• Hardin Elementary — Early Education–Grade 5 — D
• Hardin High School — Grades 9–12 — B
• Hardin Junior High — Grades 6–8 — B

Hull-Daisetta ISD

• Hull-Daisetta Elementary — Early Education–Grade 6 — D
• Hull-Daisetta High School — Grades 9–12 — F
• Hull-Daisetta Junior High — Grades 7–8 — F

International Leadership of Texas (ILTexas)

• ILTexas BG Ramirez Elementary — Prekindergarten–Grade 5 — D
• ILTexas BG Ramirez Middle School — Grades 6–8 — D
• ILTexas Liberty High School — Grades 9–10 — F
• ILTexas MSG Ramirez Elementary — Prekindergarten–Grade 5 — D
• ILTexas MSG Ramirez Middle School — Grades 6–8 — F

Liberty ISD

• Liberty Elementary — Grades 2–5 — D
• Liberty High School — Grades 9–12 — C
• Liberty Middle School — Grades 6–8 — D
• San Jacinto Elementary — Early Education–Grade 1 — D

Shepherd ISD

• Shepherd High School — Grades 9–12 — C
• Shepherd Intermediate — Grades 3–5 — D
• Shepherd Middle School — Grades 6–8 — D
• Shepherd Primary — Early Education–Grade 2 — D

Splendora ISD

• Greenleaf Elementary — Early Education–Grade 6 — D
• Peach Creek Elementary — Prekindergarten–Grade 6 — D
• Piney Woods Elementary — Early Education–Grade 6 — D
• Splendora High School — Grades 9–12 — C
• Splendora Junior High — Grades 7–8 — D
• Timber Lakes Elementary — Early Education–Grade 6 — D

Tarkington ISD

• Tarkington Early Childhood School — Early Education–Kindergarten — C
• Tarkington Elementary — Grades 1–5 — D
• Tarkington High School — Grades 9–12 — B
• Tarkington Middle School — Grades 6–8 — C

West Hardin County CISD

• Hardin County Alternative AEP — Grade 10 — Not Rated
• West Hardin Elementary — Prekindergarten–Grade 6 — D
• West Hardin High School — Grades 7–12 — C