News Summary
The Texas Education Agency has released accountability ratings showing significant improvements in school performance in Houston. The Houston Independent School District has eliminated all F-rated schools, achieving a B rating. Superintendent Mike Miles highlighted a dramatic increase in A and B rated campuses. They, along with Aldine ISD, showed the largest gains in the region. While Katy ISD maintains its top score, discussions on educational reforms and student well-being persist, raising questions about future accountability measures.
Houston, Texas – Historic Improvement in Accountability Ratings for Houston ISD
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has released its latest accountability ratings, revealing significant improvements in school performance across the Houston area. Notably, the Houston Independent School District (HISD) has achieved a landmark milestone by eliminating all schools rated as F, an accomplishment that reflects a broader trend of enhanced educational quality in the region.
According to the newly published data, HISD has seen its overall rating increase from a C in 2023 to a B in 2025. Furthermore, 74% of its campuses are now rated A or B, a striking increase from 35% two years ago. HISD Superintendent Mike Miles announced that the district no longer has any campuses receiving F ratings, a significant decline from 56 failing campuses just a year prior. This dramatic turnaround demonstrates the effectiveness of recent educational reforms and the commitment to improving student outcomes.
Aldine Independent School District (ISD) also made noteworthy advancements, boasting a ten-point increase in its score over two years. Despite having the lowest score among large districts in the area at 73, this rise from a score of 63 indicates remarkable progress. In total, HISD and Aldine ISD recorded the largest gains among large districts in Houston, both enhancing their scores by ten points.
Meanwhile, Katy ISD remains the top-rated large district in the region, maintaining an impressive score of 88. Others are quickly closing the gap; Klein ISD recorded 86, followed by Cy-Fair and Conroe ISDs with scores of 85. Notably, Fort Bend ISD improved its rating from a C in 2023 to a B in 2025, achieving an overall score of 80.
Additionally, the number of A-rated districts in the Houston area has increased to six, with Pearland ISD and Needville ISD securing A ratings for the first time. However, Cleveland ISD faced challenges, receiving an F rating as its score decreased from 62 in 2023. The number of districts rated D has also seen a decline, dropping from nine to four compared to two years ago, while Hempstead ISD managed to elevate its status from an F in 2023 to a D in 2025.
Statewide, the outlook appears promising as well, with 55% of Texas public and charter districts achieving a B rating or higher. Conversely, only 15% of districts are rated D or F. These accountability ratings are assessed based on varied metrics, including students’ performance on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR), graduation rates, as well as college, career, and military readiness metrics, reflecting a comprehensive approach to analyzing school performance.
Ongoing Discussions and Future Considerations
The TEA has acknowledged the growing importance of accountability ratings while simultaneously emphasizing the need for caution. In light of the ongoing discussions regarding educational reforms, there are calls to balance standardized test scores with considerations of student well-being and overall educational experience.
As changes to the STAAR testing system are currently being debated within the Texas Legislature, the future of accountability ratings is uncertain. The emphasis on improving educational quality is critical, but stakeholders are urging policymakers to ensure that reforms do not prioritize test performance over the holistic development of students.
Conclusion
The remarkable progress seen in Houston ISD and surrounding districts is indicative of a concerted effort to enhance educational outcomes. With schools rapidly ascending in their accountability ratings, the focus on improvement remains paramount as the community strives to provide quality education for all students. As educational policies continue to evolve, stakeholders will closely monitor the impacts of these changes on future rating systems and student experiences.
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Additional Resources
- Houston Chronicle: HISD Accountability Ratings
- Wikipedia: Houston
- KHOU: HISD Preliminary Accountability Ratings
- Google Search: Houston Independent School District
- Community Impact: Cycle Houston Rewards
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education in Houston
- Axios: HISD Reports No F Rated Schools
- Google Scholar: Education Reform Texas
- Community Impact: HISD Improvement Plan
- Google News: Texas Education Agency
Author: STAFF HERE HOUSTON TX WRITER
HOUSTON STAFF WRITER The HOUSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREHouston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Houston, Harris County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Art Car Parade, and Chevron Houston Marathon. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Houston Partnership and Houston Area Urban League, plus leading businesses in energy and healthcare that power the local economy such as ExxonMobil, Schlumberger, and Houston Methodist. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
