The campus accountability ratings released Friday show that urgent action is needed in the Port Arthur Independent School District to improve student achievement.

The ratings were dismal. Five campuses were given the dubious status of “academically unacceptable.” Students at Memorial High School, Memorial Ninth Grade Center, Edison Middle School, Wilson Middle School and Washington Elementary School failed to make the grade.

Superintendent Dr. Johnny Brown put the best possible spin on the results, stating that “each of the schools’ data shows improvements generally across the board,” while he acknowledged that “the scores were not enough for the cutoff from the state board to be acceptable.”

This is the second consecutive year for the middle schools and Washington Elementary to receive the failing grade. It is extremely disappointing that the ratings for the secondary schools took a turn for the worse. But if the students aren’t being prepared in the middle schools, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that as those students progress through the grades, they won’t be able to pass the tests in their later school years.

To be fair, it should be mentioned that the standards were increased this year. But that didn’t stop other districts across the state from improving their ratings. More than 370 districts were ranked either exemplary or recognized, the highest rankings available under the state’s accountability system. Last year, 244 districts earned the top rankings.

Dr. Brown has completed his second year at the helm of the district. He faced resistance from some teachers as he implemented a teaching strategy designed to improve the way teachers prepare for their classes. This summer additional steps are being taken that administrators say will improve the education being offered in the district.

More than $100 million is being poured into the district to build new facilities. But buildings by themselves won’t improve education in Port Arthur. To make a real change, a partnership of students, parents, teachers, administrators and the community is needed.

When our school district fails, this community will fail. Workers coming into this area will shun Port Arthur in favor of surrounding cities where districts have proven they can successfully deliver a quality education.

The number of economically disadvantaged students in the district, the influx of Spanish speaking students, a generation or more of residents who put little priority on education are all factors that will make improving student achievement in Port Arthur difficult.

But failure is not an option. A way to turn PAISD’s rankings — and reputation — must be found. And the time left to do it will soon run out.