Laredo ISD presents 2022–23 TAPR; district projects 88% under new formula as ratings remain paused
January 18, 2024 | LAREDO ISD, School Districts, Texas
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Dr. Cruz presented the 2022–23 Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR) to the Laredo ISD Board of Trustees on Jan. 18, saying the district's preliminary projection under the new accountability formula is 88%, but the Texas Education Agency has not released official 2023 accountability ratings while legal and legislative matters are resolved.
The TAPR aggregates student and staff performance data for every Texas district, disaggregated by subgroup, Dr. Cruz said. He told trustees that Laredo ISD has distinctive demographics: 97.1% of students are listed as economically disadvantaged (state: 62%), 99.5% Hispanic (state: 53.0%), and 57% identified as emergent bilingual (state: 23%). Program enrollment includes 56.8% in bilingual/ESL programs and 15% identified as gifted and talented.
Dr. Cruz framed the 2022–23 school year as especially challenging because the state administered the new STAAR 2.0 assessment, which he described as more rigorous. He presented mixed results: declines in some grade-level STAAR comparisons but notable gains on end-of-course (EOC) exams, including English I (+13 percentage points), English II (+9), Algebra I (+4), Biology (+7) and U.S. history (+8). "For this school year, there is no accountability rating," Dr. Cruz said, adding that "the release of these reports is pending judicial ruling and decisions from the 88th Legislature during a special call session." He also noted that several districts sued the TEA over the rating calculations.
On lagging indicators, Dr. Cruz said attendance rates fell compared with pandemic-era figures, in part because remote-instruction coding in 2021 distorts multi-year comparisons. He said the district's dropout rate improved (a 0.3 percentage-point drop in one comparison and a 2.2 percentage-point improvement in the annual dropout metric) and that extended graduation rates rose modestly at five- and six-year marks.
College-, career- and military-readiness (CCMR) was a district strength: Dr. Cruz reported a 98.1% CCMR indicator and higher college-ready measures (92.7% district vs. 52.9% statewide), citing TSI success, dual enrollment and CTE certifications. He also noted a decline in students taking SAT/ACT tests — partly because some colleges no longer require those exams and because of pandemic-era testing disruptions — but said LISD continues to offer in-school SAT/ACT testing and alternatives such as TSI and dual enrollment.
The presentation included staff data showing high retention and experience: LISD teachers were reported as 97.6% Hispanic and the district's average teacher experience was cited as 12.4 years, with a concentration (36.7%) in the 11-to-20-year range. Dr. Cruz said maintaining experienced staff is a district strength and emphasized ongoing professional development and targeted interventions to raise student performance, particularly in early grades.
Trustees asked when the state's official ratings will be available. Dr. Cruz answered that the TEA's release is paused while courts and the legislature resolve disputes, and he reiterated that the district's internal projection using the new formula is 88%. He said that under the previous formula the district would have maintained an "A" rating.
The board heard further questions about TSI (Texas Success Initiative) preparedness. District staff described interventions including tutoring, summer camps, in-class tutorials, earlier preparation in middle school and college-prep classes; the district schedules TSI testing for students who show interest beginning in eighth grade and again in sophomore and senior years for those who need it.
The board received the presentation as the required public hearing; no formal action on TAPR or ratings was recorded. Dr. Cruz said the district will present additional assessment results to a committee in February.
What happens next: official 2023 accountability ratings will depend on TEA guidance and outcomes of pending litigation and any legislative action; the district will continue monitoring and reporting local assessment results in committee meetings.
The TAPR aggregates student and staff performance data for every Texas district, disaggregated by subgroup, Dr. Cruz said. He told trustees that Laredo ISD has distinctive demographics: 97.1% of students are listed as economically disadvantaged (state: 62%), 99.5% Hispanic (state: 53.0%), and 57% identified as emergent bilingual (state: 23%). Program enrollment includes 56.8% in bilingual/ESL programs and 15% identified as gifted and talented.
Dr. Cruz framed the 2022–23 school year as especially challenging because the state administered the new STAAR 2.0 assessment, which he described as more rigorous. He presented mixed results: declines in some grade-level STAAR comparisons but notable gains on end-of-course (EOC) exams, including English I (+13 percentage points), English II (+9), Algebra I (+4), Biology (+7) and U.S. history (+8). "For this school year, there is no accountability rating," Dr. Cruz said, adding that "the release of these reports is pending judicial ruling and decisions from the 88th Legislature during a special call session." He also noted that several districts sued the TEA over the rating calculations.
On lagging indicators, Dr. Cruz said attendance rates fell compared with pandemic-era figures, in part because remote-instruction coding in 2021 distorts multi-year comparisons. He said the district's dropout rate improved (a 0.3 percentage-point drop in one comparison and a 2.2 percentage-point improvement in the annual dropout metric) and that extended graduation rates rose modestly at five- and six-year marks.
College-, career- and military-readiness (CCMR) was a district strength: Dr. Cruz reported a 98.1% CCMR indicator and higher college-ready measures (92.7% district vs. 52.9% statewide), citing TSI success, dual enrollment and CTE certifications. He also noted a decline in students taking SAT/ACT tests — partly because some colleges no longer require those exams and because of pandemic-era testing disruptions — but said LISD continues to offer in-school SAT/ACT testing and alternatives such as TSI and dual enrollment.
The presentation included staff data showing high retention and experience: LISD teachers were reported as 97.6% Hispanic and the district's average teacher experience was cited as 12.4 years, with a concentration (36.7%) in the 11-to-20-year range. Dr. Cruz said maintaining experienced staff is a district strength and emphasized ongoing professional development and targeted interventions to raise student performance, particularly in early grades.
Trustees asked when the state's official ratings will be available. Dr. Cruz answered that the TEA's release is paused while courts and the legislature resolve disputes, and he reiterated that the district's internal projection using the new formula is 88%. He said that under the previous formula the district would have maintained an "A" rating.
The board heard further questions about TSI (Texas Success Initiative) preparedness. District staff described interventions including tutoring, summer camps, in-class tutorials, earlier preparation in middle school and college-prep classes; the district schedules TSI testing for students who show interest beginning in eighth grade and again in sophomore and senior years for those who need it.
The board received the presentation as the required public hearing; no formal action on TAPR or ratings was recorded. Dr. Cruz said the district will present additional assessment results to a committee in February.
What happens next: official 2023 accountability ratings will depend on TEA guidance and outcomes of pending litigation and any legislative action; the district will continue monitoring and reporting local assessment results in committee meetings.
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