HISD officials presented the board with a monitoring update on Goal 3.3 — the percentage of 11th graders who qualify for college credit — and the board accepted the report unanimously at its Jan. 16 meeting.

Chief Kristen Hall told trustees the district’s long‑term target for Goal 3 is to raise the percent of students graduating TSI‑ready with industry‑based certifications and college credits. Goal 3.3 specifically targets the percent of 11th graders who qualify for college credit, with a district target rising from roughly 33% in May to 48% by May 2028.

Administration reported that beginning‑of‑year (BOI) measures have increased year over year (BOI for the previous three years rose from 19% to 23% to 26%) and said end‑of‑year (EOI) results have been stronger — the district reported an end‑of‑year result of 38% last year, exceeding that year’s target. The presentation broke college‑credit attainment down by modality: Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), dual‑enrollment (UT OnRamps) and dual credit through Houston Community College (HCC). Officials said AP, dual enrollment and dual credit BOI figures were rising and that IB results are measured in 11th grade when tests are taken.

The administration highlighted a College Board analysis that showed a 15% increase in unique students taking AP courses, a 24% increase in AP exams administered and a 5% increase in AP pass rates — a trend the district said represents an estimated $15,600,000 in avoided college tuition for students.

To support the work, the district described scheduling and enrollment changes designed to increase access to advanced coursework, including an “opt‑out” scheduling approach that defaults students into advanced courses when their readiness data indicate they are prepared, with parent and counselor overrides for students who opt out. The district also emphasized efforts to get more students to the readiness threshold through double‑block interventions in math and reading in earlier grades and by standardizing course sequences to ensure consistent offerings across campuses.

After the presentation, the board voted to accept the monitoring report. Motion to accept was made by Ms. Lindner and seconded by Ms. Vandy; the acceptance vote was 9–0.

What the board accepted: the Goal 3.3 monitoring update documenting year‑over‑year growth in beginning‑of‑year measures for college credit and the district’s strategies for expanding access (opt‑out scheduling, double‑block for targeted students, and curriculum and instructor supports). Administration said it will continue to monitor subgroup performance and target supports where BOI declines have been observed, such as among some subgroups where temporary BOI decreases preceded expected end‑of‑year gains.