Pearland ISD reviews 2023–24 Texas Academic Performance Report; district remains above state averages overall

Miss Perez, Pearland ISD accountability lead, presented the district's 2023'24 Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR) and reviewed state testing changes and how they affect year'to'year comparisons. "It is my honor to be here tonight to present to you the 2023, '20 '20 '4, Texas academic performance report as required by the Texas Education Agency," Perez said, noting that the full report would be posted on the district website and the TEA portal.

Perez told the board Pearland outperformed Region 4 and the state across combined STAAR performance levels: "Pearland is 12% above the state in approaches grade level, 20% above in meets grade level, and 17% above in master's grade level," she said, while stressing that the accountability A'F ratings remained blocked by ongoing litigation and therefore were not released for 2023 or 2024.

The TAPR presentation included a breakdown by subject, grade band and student groups. Perez and Superintendent Dr. Berger identified persistent weaknesses: third' and fourth'grade RLA (reading/language arts) and seventh'grade math. "Seventh grade math is always below," Perez said, explaining a methodological factor: accelerated students who take the eighth'grade algebra I exam are not counted with the seventh'grade cohort, which can depress seventh'grade percentages.

Board members pressed for explanation of causes and responses. Dr. Berger and other administrators said math declines reflect foundational gaps linked to COVID disruptions and that the district has launched interventions: adoption of the I-Ready reading diagnostic, individualized intervention plans for third and fourth graders, increased tutoring, and curriculum redesign to emphasize readiness and supporting standards. Dr. Berger summarized the operational response: cabinet members have Wildly Important Goals (WIGs) aligned to lift scores in targeted grades.

The presentation covered 5-year trends showing reading largely recovered post'COVID while math lagged: "We dropped down in 2021 and have still not recovered," Perez said, noting the district is roughly nine points below 2019 math levels. Perez and the board discussed strategies including revamping math pacing, adding small'group instructional time in the school day, and curriculum unit redesign so teachers can address foundational gaps while still covering grade'level standards.

CCMR (College, Career, and Military Readiness) indicators for the class of 2023 were also reviewed. Perez said Pearland'ISD'wide CCMR has increased and the district'wide goal is 95% for high schools. She noted Pearland students were more likely than average to meet college'ready indicators (SAT/ACT/TSI/dual credit) than industry certifications, and she flagged upcoming operational changes: some industry certifications are being sunset by TEA and the state has tightened criteria for counting certain certifications toward CCMR.

Board members asked about public access to the TAPR and supporting charts; Perez said the full TAPR and campus breakdowns were already posted on the district website and on the TEA portal, and that paper copies would be made available at central office and campuses. No board action was required on the presentation; the board opened a public hearing on the TAPR, heard no public comments, and closed the hearing at 6:35 p.m.

Why it matters: The TAPR is the formal annual summary that schools use to identify gaps and set improvement targets; the board discussed next steps for elementary reading recovery and districtwide math remediation plans as Pearland updates its five'year HB3 targets.