HCISD earns 99 TEA distinctions, including district postsecondary readiness honor

Harlingen CISD officials on Sept. 9 recognized campuses that earned distinctions under the Texas Education Agency’s 2025 accountability ratings, reporting a district scale score increase from 82 to 86 and a collective 99 distinctions — a 14% increase from the previous year. The district also received the TEA postsecondary readiness distinction, an honor earned by 83 school districts statewide.

District staff explained TEA’s distinction methodology: each campus is compared with a group of similar campuses statewide, and distinctions are awarded for placing in the top quartile of that comparison group across eligible indicators. Secondary campuses have seven eligible distinctions; elementary campuses have six. Administrators listed campuses that earned all eligible distinctions, and numerous campuses with multiple distinctions in reading, mathematics, science, social studies, academic growth, closing the gaps and postsecondary readiness.

Board members and executives praised the work of principals, teachers and district staff. Administration said 20 campuses maintained or improved their accountability ratings and singled out campuses that received all eligible distinctions. Presenters also noted the district’s growth represents a broad, systemwide effort including principals, central-office leaders and classroom staff.

Superintendent and board members encouraged continued focus on data-driven instruction and invited community participation to sustain progress.