Watch: Research, Policy and Practice Leaders Unite to Decode Houston's Education Progress
145,000 more Houston students now attend high-quality schools than just two years ago—a transformation that speaks volumes about the region’s progress and promise. On August 26, Good Reason Houston brought the story behind these gains to life in a webinar that blended data, policy, and practice into one conversation.
The event was led by a cross-functional team: Patrick Gill (Director of Research & Data Strategy), Trista Bishop-Watt (Director of Government Relations), and Kellie Thompson (Director of District Partnerships). Together, they offered a holistic analysis of the Texas Education Agency’s newly released 2025 A–F Accountability Ratings—sharing what the numbers mean for our students, schools, and the future of education in Houston.
Houston Region on the Rise
The data revealed dramatic improvements across Houston’s public schools:
- In 2023, fewer than half of students attended an A or B school. By 2025, that figure climbed to 67%—outpacing both the state average and other large Texas districts.
- The number of students in D or F schools dropped from nearly one-third to just 12%.
- Black students in particular saw major progress: in 2023, 42% were enrolled in low-rated schools; by 2025, only 15% were.
"These numbers aren’t abstract—they represent real opportunities for students and families. We’re seeing entire communities gain access to stronger schools, and the challenge now is sustaining and expanding that momentum."
School District Success Stories—and Ongoing Challenges
Several districts stood out for their rapid improvement. Aldine ISD, for example, jumped from just 33% of students in A or B schools in 2023 to 76% in 2025. Houston ISD’s New Education System (NES) campuses saw an even more dramatic turnaround: only 6% of students were in highly rated schools in 2023; today, that number is 74%.
While we celebrate this progress, there is work ahead. Twenty-six campuses across three ISDs still face consecutive years of unacceptable ratings. These schools require urgent, sustained support to ensure every child has access to the education they deserve.
Policy and Practice: What’s Changing
Beyond the numbers, the webinar explored the shifting landscape of policy and practice.
- Policy: Trista Bishop-Watt explained how the legislature is considering changes to accountability, including through-year assessments and refinements to College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) indicators. These changes could redefine how districts are measured and supported.
- Practice: Kellie Thompson shared how districts can apply tools like Quality Seats Analysis and strategic school improvement models to translate ratings into action. She pointed to HISD and Aldine’s bold use of turnaround models as examples of districts taking decisive steps to expand access to A and B schools.
Community Questions That Mattered
The webinar wasn’t just a presentation—it was a conversation. Attendees raised pressing questions about the fairness and impact of accountability measures:
- Should all CCMR indicators carry the same weight, or should stronger predictors of success like dual credit count more?
- How can families hold districts accountable when growth lags?
- What are the risks when schools alter testing policies, as with Biology at NES campuses?
Our team provided research-based responses and will continue to monitor these issues closely.
Looking Ahead
The 2025 ratings tell a story of resilience, progress, and possibility for Houston’s public schools. But sustaining these gains requires vigilance, smart policy, and community partnership.
At Good Reason Houston, our mission is to double the number of Houston graduates earning a living wage by 2040. That work depends on ensuring every child, in every neighborhood, has access to a high-quality public school. Together, we can make Houston the leading education city in the nation.
