Superintendent Dr. LaTonya Goffney breaks down the ingredients of Aldine ISD secret sauce in interview with Good Reason Houston CEO Cary Wright
A few years ago, nearly half of Aldine ISD schools carried D or F ratings from the state. Today, under Superintendent Dr. LaTonya Goffney’s leadership, the district has zero failing elementary or high schools and more students attending A- and B-rated campuses than ever before.
That transformation didn’t happen overnight. It came from a deliberate mix of high expectations, strategic staffing, and an unwavering belief that every child, regardless of their background, deserves a high-quality education that will set them up for more options after high school.
“We’re not responsible for how students come to us,” Goffney often tells her team. “But we’re responsible for how they leave us.”
One of the district’s boldest moves was implementing the Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) model, which strategically places top principals and highly effective teachers in historically low-performing schools. With extra pay, more planning time, mental health supports, and after-school activities, campuses like Goodman and Worsham Elementary have gone from the district’s lowest performers to among its best.
At the high school level, Aldine has embraced a “more than a diploma” philosophy. The district expanded career and technical education (CTE) pathways, dual-credit partnerships, and college access programs. In 2020, just 46% of Aldine graduates met the state’s College, Career, or Military Readiness (CCMR) standard. In 2024, that number soared past 80%, with projections above 90% for the Class of 2025.
One standout example is the Health Education and Leadership (HEAL) program, developed in partnership with Bloomberg Philanthropies and Memorial Hermann. Located in a healthcare desert, HEAL offers students hands-on training and pathways to high-wage medical careers, from nursing to healthcare administration, along with mentorship from industry professionals.
Academic rigor is also at the heart of Aldine’s gains. During the pandemic, the district pushed ahead with adopting high-quality instructional materials in reading and math, training teachers in their use, and setting higher expectations for all students. This commitment has paid off: Aldine posted some of the highest STAAR growth in the Houston region, with notable jumps in third-grade reading and Algebra I.
For Goffney, the work is far from over. Her goals for the next two years include eliminating the district’s remaining low-rated campuses, accelerating growth for every student, and expanding neighborhood access to specialized programs like STEM and coding.
“We have to know every single student by name, strength, and need,” she says. “That’s how we make sure every child graduates with real choices and opportunities.”
