Mesquite ISD trustees adopt updated HB3 goals; district reports gains in CCMR, AP and dual-credit participation
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Summary
The board approved updated House Bill 3 goals for third-grade reading and math and a CCMR target through 2028, and received an effectiveness report showing increases in SAT/TSI scores, AP exam participation, OnRamps enrollment and CCMR-related metrics.
The Mesquite Independent School District Board of Trustees on March 10 approved updated House Bill 3 goals that set district targets for third-grade reading and math and for College, Career and Military Readiness (CCMR). Trustees voted 7-0 to adopt the goals.
District staff also presented an effectiveness report on academics, dual credit, and CCMR that showed year-over-year gains in several college-readiness metrics. Presenters Russ Weeks (director of advanced academics) and Alicia Upton (CCMR coordinator) highlighted increased SAT and TSI performance for current seniors, higher AP participation and credits, and growth in OnRamps and dual-credit enrollment.
Specifically, staff reported an SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing figure rising from 28.7% (class of 2024 metric cited) to 30.6% for the current senior cohort; AP exams taken increased from 3,548 (2023) to 4,115 (2024), with the district projecting roughly 4,834 AP exams for the current year. AP earned credits rose from 1,249 (2023) to 1,397 (2024). OnRamps enrollment grew from 639 (2021–22) to 808 (2022–23) and is now approximately 1,100 students for the current year, according to staff presentations. The district also said it joined the Dallas Promise “99% club,” meaning 99% of seniors completed a Dallas Promise path, and reported college applications at about 82% for the senior class.
Board materials explained how the HB3 goals were set: third-grade reading is targeted at 55% “meets,” third-grade math at 58% “meets” and a CCMR target of 90% by 2028. Staff said HB3 reading and math targets are aligned with federal Domain 3 closing-the-gaps interim targets and that the CCMR goal is set aggressively because district CCMR percentages were in the mid-60s but have been rising.
During the presentation, Upton emphasized the district’s strategy to expand access to advanced coursework and wraparound services across K–12 rather than limiting opportunities to select populations. Trustees approved the HB3 goal resolutions in a single motion moved by Trustee Hornsby and seconded by Trustee Carbel; the motion carried 7-0.
The report noted operational steps to support college enrollment, such as bringing Dallas College advisors on-site so seniors could complete multiple enrollment steps in one visit; Dallas College enrollment from MISD increased 9% in the prior year, staff said. Staff also reported a 5% increase in two-year college enrollment between the graduating classes of 2023 and 2024.
