TEA scores for Bandera, Medina decrease since last rating

2022 Accountability Ratings from the Texas Education Agency were released last week, and Bandera ISD and Medina have lower ratings than 2019, the last year ratings were issued due to COVID-19 delays; Utopia’s rating remained the same, though their overall score decreased by two points compared to 2019.

TEA says their Accountability Ratings measure how much students are learning in each grade, if they are ready for the next grade and how well a school or district prepares their students for success after high school in college, the workforce or the military.

Full details are available at txschools.gov.

Bandera ISD

This year, Bandera ISD received a score of 68, down from its 2019 “B” rating of 84. In the past, a 68 score was considered a “D,” but this year scores less than 70 have been a “Not Rated” label.

Bandera was one of 42 districts to receive a “Not Rated” label, missing a rating by two points, and Superintendent Gary Bitzkie said the district has already developed to address two major target areas: mathematics and college and career readiness.

“The district realizes there have been significant decreases in some of the areas, and has already engaged in a targeted response to address these areas,” he said. “There are many contributing factors, and the past few school years have been unusual to say the least, however Bandera ISD would like our community to know that BISD Administration and Staff will respond.”

District ratings are broken down into student achievement, school progress and closing the gaps; Bandera received a “Not Rated” in each category.

School-specific ratings assigned HIll Country Elementary and Bandera MIddle School “C” ratings; Bandera High School and Alkek Elementary received a “Not Rated” label, scoring 58 and 68 respectively.

Bandera ISD was the only district in the county to receive a Distinction Designation, which notes exceptional achievement, for its Postsecondary Readiness.

Medina ISD

Medina ISD received a score of 76 for a “C” rating, down from their 2019 “B” rating and score of 81.

The district was one of 112 to receive a “C” rating, and Superintendent Lindsey Kunz said the district met within hours of TEA’s announcement to ensure better success in the future.

“Our accountability score is definitely not where we want it to be, but I feel very fortunate to be in a school district that is not satisfied with being ‘ok,’” she said. Medina ISD received a “C” in Student Achievement, School Progress and Closing the Gaps.

Utopia ISD

Utopia ISD received a score of 85 for a “B” rating, which it received in 2019 with a score of 87. The district received a “B” rating in Student Achievement and School Progress and a “C” in Closing the Gaps.

This year, 645 districts received a “B” score, accounting for 54 percent of the districts.

The Bulletin did not receive a comment from Utopia ISD by its press deadline.

Statewide Info

Overall, 396 districts received an “A” rating, which is 33.1 percent of the 1,195 districts surveyed by TEA.

2022 saw 25 percent of districts and 33 percent of campuses improve their letter grade from 2019.

Furthermore, 18 percent of high-poverty campuses in Texas were rated an “A.” “These results show our state’s significant investment in the postpandemic academic recovery of Texas public school students is bearing fruit,” said Texas Education Commissioner, Mike Morath. “I’m grateful for the driving force behind this year’s success: our teachers and local school leaders. Statewide policy in Texas continues to remain focused on meeting the needs of students, with an accountability system that supports high expectations, robust tutoring supports, rigorous curricular resources, and an investment in evidencebased training for our teachers.”