During a recent government meeting, preliminary STAAR scores and accountability ratings were discussed, revealing a mixed performance across various subjects for the Brownsville Independent School District (BISD). Julie Salinas and Ronnie Renfrow presented the data, noting that while the district did not receive accountability ratings for the 2023 school year due to litigation, they expect to receive these ratings by August 15, 2024.

The preliminary scores indicated that BISD students performed comparably to state averages in several areas. For high school End-of-Course (EOC) assessments, BISD achieved a 67% in English I, 75% in English II, and 89% in both Algebra I and Biology, with U.S. History scoring an impressive 95%. However, the district's performance in middle school assessments showed some areas needing improvement, particularly in 8th-grade science and social studies, where scores were below state averages.

In the 3rd to 5th-grade assessments, BISD excelled in reading and math, scoring 78% and 8% above the state average, respectively. However, science scores for 5th graders were at 55%, slightly below state averages.

Carlos Olvera then presented the preliminary 2024 TELPAS (Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System) scores, highlighting that the district achieved a 48% overall proficiency rate for English language learners, surpassing interim targets for elementary and middle school levels. The high school level, however, fell short of its target, reaching only 40%.

The meeting also addressed concerns regarding the changing standards of the STAAR tests and the impact on student performance. Superintendent Dr. Chavez emphasized the importance of accountability in education while advocating for a reduction in the number of tests administered annually. He noted that the frequent changes in testing standards complicate the assessment process and hinder the ability to prepare students adequately.

Board members expressed their concerns about the performance in science and social studies, particularly at the middle school level, and discussed the need for a stronger foundational approach starting from elementary education. They highlighted the importance of integrating science into the curriculum and ensuring that students receive adequate support to improve their performance in these subjects.

In conclusion, while BISD has shown strengths in certain areas, particularly in early grades and specific high school subjects, there remains a pressing need to address gaps in middle school science and social studies, as well as to adapt to the evolving educational standards set by the state. The district plans to implement targeted interventions and curriculum enhancements to support student success moving forward.