Board hears TAPR data showing high graduation and CCMR but lower STAAR results; trustees press on special education growth

Victoria ISD staff presented the district’s 2023–24 annual report (TAPR) during a public hearing Thursday, outlining a mix of strong long‑term outcomes and lingering achievement gaps.

Presenter Tammy Shestak explained that the district’s four‑year graduation rate for the class of 2023 was 97%, above the state average of 90.3% and the Region 3 average of 93.3%. College, career and military readiness (CCMR) improved to about 85.2% for that cohort, compared with a state average of 76.3% and a Region 3 average of 79.1%.

At the same time, Shestak noted the district’s STAAR scores lag the state and region. A member of the public cited district reading at about 64% versus the state at 76% and math at 56%; Shestak offered to provide a five‑year trend to the commenter.

Trustees pressed staff on special education trends after staff member Kylie said special‑education enrollment increased by roughly 1,000 students over the past decade — rising from about 9.5% to about 18.5% of the student body — and said federal special‑education funding has not kept pace because formulas rely on outdated parameters. Board members and staff discussed prioritizing early literacy and numeracy in the district’s strategic plan while sustaining CCMR gains.

Shestak walked trustees through additional TAPER sections — attendance, PEIMS financial reports, campus improvement objectives, violent/criminal incident counts (seven incidents reported this school year, including two assaults and five felony possession reports), accreditation status (accredited) and progress toward House Bill 3 goals. Paper copies of the full report were made available and posted on the district website.