Texas school district reveals changes in A through F accountability ratings and STAR testing

The PISD Board of Trustees convened on April 28, 2025, to discuss several key topics, including the conclusion of STAR testing, professional development initiatives, and updates on the A-F accountability system.

The meeting began with an update on STAR testing, which is wrapping up this week. The campus testing coordinators were commended for their effective organization, ensuring that the testing process has proceeded smoothly. The final tests are scheduled for this week, and there is optimism about completing this phase without issues.

Following the testing update, the board shifted focus to professional development for the 2025-2026 school year. Plans are underway to bring in Lehi Forward, an organization that specializes in inclusion systems to support special education students. The funding for this initiative will be provided by the SSA, which was acknowledged for its substantial financial support.

The discussion then turned to the A-F accountability ratings, which have been a contentious issue due to a lawsuit involving 21 districts that challenged the release of these ratings. The Texas Court of Appeals mandated the release of the 2023 ratings, which were made public on April 24, 2025. The board communicated with parents about these ratings, providing an overview of the district's performance and individual campus scores.

A significant point raised was the complexity of comparing the 2022 and 2023 accountability ratings. Changes in the accountability manual and testing protocols, including the introduction of new metrics and a shift to online testing, have made direct comparisons challenging. The board emphasized that the new system's criteria differ significantly from previous years, complicating the evaluation of progress.

The meeting also addressed the district's performance in the 2024 accountability ratings, which have not yet been released. The board is actively analyzing data from previous years to inform instructional strategies and improvements. Concerns were raised regarding the effectiveness of the current math curriculum, which has not yielded the desired results. The board is considering reverting to previously successful methods while also exploring new curricula options.

In conclusion, the meeting highlighted the ongoing challenges and changes within the district's testing and accountability systems. The board remains committed to using data-driven approaches to enhance educational outcomes and is hopeful for more stable guidelines in the future. The next steps include continued analysis of the 2024 data and further discussions on curriculum improvements.