Laredo ISD says preliminary EOC results top region and state; board considers expanding cosmetology and barbering programs

LAREDO, Texas — Superintendent Dr. Rios told the Laredo Independent School District Board of Trustees on Feb. 12 that preliminary end‑of‑course (EOC) results show the district has exceeded regional and state performance in multiple subjects, and he laid out next steps for spring assessments and career‑technical education expansion.

"We have actually surpassed region and state scores," Dr. Rios said during a presentation on instructional continuity, citing stronger outcomes in English I and II, Algebra I, biology and U.S. history. He told the board Laredo ISD had among the lowest percentages of students who did not pass in several EOC subjects during the first round of results.

The superintendent directed trustees to charts in the meeting packet showing Laredo ISD (gold) versus region and state, and highlighted specific figures presented to the board: English I approaches and meets categories exceeded regional and state percentages, Algebra I passing rates reached roughly 87% compared with a 43% state rate on the first round, and biology and U.S. history also showed gains. Dr. Rios said a second round of test results and an assessment schedule will follow; he noted the district's TELPAS window and Spring STAAR testing and makeup dates as the district prepares accountability reporting.

Trustees then focused questions on college, career and military readiness (CCMR) and specifically on cosmetology and barbering courses, which district staff described as high‑demand career pathways. "Martin High School has 85 students" in the introductory cosmetology cohort, said Mr. Roger Garcia, who answered technical and capacity questions. He said limited stations constrain cohort sizes — for example, Nixon High has 16 stations for a cohort and Martin can run an introductory cohort of 18 when fully implemented.

Garcia also described outreach in the community: a local beauty college that is closing offered to donate equipment and placed its building for sale; he said the facility is Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation (TDLR) certified and could accommodate about 74 stations if acquired. "The building is ready; it's actually TDLR certified," Garcia said, adding staff could present a purchase package to the board within about a week if trustees want to pursue it.

Trustees and staff discussed options for expanding capacity without immediately adding full‑time staff, including running instructors from existing campuses at an off‑site facility. Dr. Rios recommended further exploration at the Curriculum and Instruction committee before a board action, and he emphasized that CTE weighted courses also affect funding formulas that support program sustainability.

What happens next

District staff said they will prepare more detailed proposals — including a potential property package and an item for committee review — and will report back to trustees with specifics on costs, space and certification transfer steps required for a TDLR‑certified facility. The presentation included specific assessment dates and a second round of EOC reporting that the district expects to share with trustees as results become final.