Harris County presents embargoed winter EOC results, urges caution in interpretation

Doctor Patterson told the Harris County Board of Education that winter 2025 end-of-course (EOC) scores were available for review but remain embargoed: "these scores are embargoed still, so we must restrain ourselves from getting into detailed discussion," she said. Patterson said the winter results reflect semester populations that include many students enrolled in honors and AP courses, and therefore are not directly comparable with spring scores.

Patterson reviewed how the district displays proficiency (red for beginning learners; yellow for developing; green and gold for higher proficiency) and walked members through the district’s 4‑year and 5‑year adjusted cohort graduation-rate reporting. She explained that the adjusted cohort accounts for students who transfer in or out and noted staff must verify transfer outcomes (enrolled elsewhere, GED, etc.) before the district can finalize adjusted figures.

On climate surveys, Patterson said the Georgia school climate survey for students in grades 3–12 will start no earlier than Jan. 19 and remain open through March 31; parents will have the option to opt students out. The board was reminded to refrain from public discussion of embargoed test details until the embargo is lifted.

Board members asked technical questions about cohort accounting and the representation of honors/AP students in semester tests; Patterson said staff has protocols to streamline reporting for the 2026 adjusted cohort. The district will post finalized, non-embargoed results and any staff analyses after the state’s release schedule allows.