Local school districts, for the most part, hit the mark with the Texas Education Agency’s accountability ratings, having earned the distinction of “met standard.”

The TEA’s recently released accountability ratings for more than 1,200 school districts and charters as well as more than 8,600 campuses statewide show about 94 percent of school districts and charters achieved the rating of “met standard.”

There are three ratings under the accountability system, according to information from TEA, met standard, met alternative standard or improvement required.

Port Arthur Independent School District earned a met standard rating as a whole, while two of its campuses — Memorial High School and Staff Sgt. Lucian Adams Elementary School earned improvement required status.

“The majority of our schools met standard and did well on the STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) test,” PAISD Superintendent Mark Porterie said. “The two schools that did not meet the standard already have plans in place to ensure that we are successful in the 2016-2017 school year.”

Porterie said he is proud of the wonderful upbeat manner shown by the teachers in their first days back and knows the district can meet the challenges they are facing. He highlighted the district’s convocation session held Wednesday, Aug. 10, followed by campus planning and training sessions to address any deficits in the instructional programs.

“The teachers are excited about the new school year and are already working hard to help the students master the content over which they will be tested,” he said. “It promises to be a great school year.”

Nederland Independent School District, as well as all of its campuses, earned the met standard rating. NISD Superintendent Robin Perez said she is proud of the district’s students and staff and of the overall performance of this initial assessment. She said the assessment gives the district a baseline for continued improvement toward goals for providing a 21^st century education.

“As a school system, we are so much more than one rating label based on one state assessment. What our staff does daily to assist students in fulfilling their fullest potential cannot be measured by a single state assessment or a rating based on that single assessment,” Perez said. “We are so proud of our students, teachers and staff on the tremendous strides they have made this past year as reflected by multiple measures throughout the year. We value the many varied accomplishments of our students and celebrate each and every success.”

Port Neches-Groves Independent School District also met standard in the accountability ratings as well as all of its campuses.

Brenda Duhon, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction/technology, said PN-GISD is extremely pleased that all campuses and the district met standard for 2016, and the district is anxiously awaiting the announcement of distinction designations to be released Sept. 16.

Other districts and charter schools ratings include:

• Sabine Pass Independent School District and its school earned the met standard rating.
• Tekoa Academy of Accelerated Studies district met standard with one of its schools earning an improvement required while other campuses met standard.
• Bob Hope School district and campus earned met standard rating.

Mary Meaux: 409-721-2429

Twitter; @MaryMeauxPANews