Note From The CEO
Dear Friend,
As students and teachers head back to school this month, the 2024-2025 school year has already cultivated both excitement and uncertainty. Early education discussions at the Texas Legislature and talking to families at the Mayor’s Back 2 School Bash offered bright spots during the back-to-school season, but the delay in the Texas Education Agency’s accountability ratings created an unsure start to the school year.
The Texas Education Agency was blocked in releasing its 2023 State Accountability Ratings, leaving communities across Texas without a clear understanding of how schools are performing. We will host a live webinar later this month exploring the implications of the delay and debunk some myths about the accountability system. Meanwhile, Houston ISD took a proactive step by releasing its ratings early and it shows the number of A and B rated schools increased from 70 to 93, while the number of D or F rated campuses dropped from 121 to 41. We commend the district for its significant progress over the past year and look forward to other districts making their results available to Houston families.
Though official accountability ratings are not available, in the By the Numbers section below, you’ll find a comprehensive suite of tools and materials designed to help our community better understand and analyze the 2024 STAAR results. These resources are here to empower educators, parents, and stakeholders with the insights they need to make informed decisions for our students.
I referenced some of those materials while testifying before the Houston Public Education Committee earlier this month about the critical importance of high-quality pre-K for later academic success. I’m encouraged that the Texas Legislature is centering the needs of our youngest learners by making early education a priority topic this session.
Finally, as the school year gets underway, we have a few predictions for the trends and challenges that will shape Houston’s education landscape this year. I encourage you to check them out and let us know any predictions of your own.
I’m approaching this school year with courageous optimism. How are you feeling about the upcoming school year?
Warm regards,
CLOSER LOOK
Key Education Predictions for the 2024-25 School Year
With the 2024-2025 school year in session, Good Reason Houston connected with educators and community members, poured over data, and researched topics to understand what will be most impacting schools this year. We hope these ideas spark conversations, inspire planning, and help our education community – from teachers and principals to policymakers and parents – feel more prepared for what’s ahead.
For education systems, this is the year of strengthening foundations like pre-K and enhancing curriculum and math instruction, all while navigating new policy debates. For educators, it’s a year of balancing innovation and tradition – integrating AI and optimizing instruction time, all while preserving teacher autonomy and engagement.
BY THE NUMBERS
Equitable Access To Education Data
Good Reason Houston recently launched a comprehensive suite of tools and materials designed to aid in the understanding and analysis of the 2024 STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) results. This suite includes:
- Interactive Dashboard: Explore STAAR results across various dimensions such as schools, districts, grade levels, and subjects, making it easy to identify trends and areas for improvement.
- Curated Infographics: Infographics that summarize key data points and insights from the STAAR results, helping to convey complex information in an easily digestible format.
- In-depth Analysis: Detailed reports offering insights into student outcomes from this year’s STAAR scores.
HOUSTON EDUCATION SPOTLIGHT
Good Reason Houston at the 14th Annual Mayor's Back 2 School Fest
Thousands of families gathered at George R. Brown Convention Center for the 14th Annual Mayor’s Back 2 School Fest on August 3 and Good Reason Houston was proud to be a part of the back-to-school excitement. The much-anticipated event, supported by numerous organizations, provided supplies and resources to elementary school students and their families as they prepare for the upcoming school year.
Good Reason Houston sponsored and participated in the event, providing free backpacks, pens, stickers, and information about improving education in Houston.
EVENTS
Webinar: Accountability 101: MythBusters Edition
When the Texas Education Agency’s official school accountability ratings were blocked from being released, many were left questioning the state’s accountability system and the implications of not having access to transparent school performance data. On Friday, August 30th, at 11:00 am Join Good Reason Houston and Dr. Rayyan Amine, Chief of School Improvement and Accountability at Alief ISD, as they address the questions and common myths surrounding the TEA accountability system.
Event Highlights Include:
- Q&A: Have your school accountability questions answered by members of our Data, Research, and Insights team, as well as, Dr. Amine, Chief of Accountability.
- Regional Analysis: Dig into other accountability data like STAAR results.
GOOD Reads
Catch up on our latest discussions and insights by exploring our blog.
