Arlington ISD midyear benchmarks show small gaps vs. HB3 targets; CCMR gains highlighted

Arlington ISD presented its midyear academic benchmark results to the Board of Trustees on April 3, with district leaders saying the picture shows steady progress but some gaps remain against House Bill 3 goals.

Assistant Superintendent Dr. Natalie Lopez said third‑grade reading currently registers 62% at the approaches level (end‑of‑year target 65%) and third‑grade math 63% approaches (target 67%). Districtwide reading across benchmark grades was 68% approaches (target 72%). Lopez described the benchmark as a previously released STAAR (practice) assessment and said the district is using the results to target interventions before the STAR/STAAR windows in April and May.

Lopez noted College, Career and Military Readiness (CCMR) for graduating seniors was at 77% as of March 24 and said last year’s interim figure grew to 87% by year’s end; she said the district expects a similar late‑year increase and is confident the 90% CCMR target is attainable. TJ Jarko added that many CCMR achievements (industry‑based certifications, AP and SAT/ACT results, dual credit) are recorded later in the school year and that campuses maintain CCMR committees that meet monthly to track progress.

Trustees asked about comparability between CA1 and the benchmark and whether the district’s interventions will be sufficient to move “approaches” and “meets” levels before STAAR. Lopez and other instructional leaders said targeted teacher coaching, PLC work, and additional intervention windows are in place; they emphasized that benchmarks sample performance earlier in the year and that STAR/STAAR will be a larger, mandated testing window.

The board received the report for monitoring and asked staff to continue providing updates on interventions, attendance and CCMR progress ahead of final spring assessments.