WESLACO ISD: benchmark 1 shows math strength in 4th–5th grades; reading targets lag

District staff presented Lone Star Governance (LSG) benchmark‑1 results for a November–December assessment window and told trustees the district is seeing relative strength in 4th‑ and 5th‑grade math while reading performance, especially at some grade levels, needs additional attention. "The math shows to be a strength, here in 4th and in 5th grade," the LSG presenter said, adding that green cells on the report indicate campuses or subgroups that have met or surpassed end‑of‑year targets.

Staff explained benchmark 1 was built largely from prior STAAR items with added local constructed‑response items to align to the state blueprint; the presentation included plans to support Tier‑1 instruction, districtwide PLCs and targeted campus mentors. Trustees asked for school‑by‑school breakdowns so successful practices (for example at Gonzales Elementary) can be shared; the presenter said campus‑level targets will be recommended so each campus sustains realistic goals while the district maintains its overall target average. The board agreed to wait for benchmark 2 before making any formal target adjustments.

The presentation also noted special‑population work: some subgroups in 5th grade had met the district target and the district will continue to monitor growth, reconvene principals, and collect additional data before making any adoption or target‑setting recommendations.