AUSTIN — Even before the school year gets started, districts are grappling with their Texas Education Agency accountability rating.
Manor ISD, Del Valle ISD and Luling ISD all received D's – the lowest grade in Central Texas.
This news comes just as Manor is growing exponentially and opened a new high school geared towards college prep and real world experience.
Manor ISD got a 69, nearly a 'C.'
"We have a lot of work to do,” said Manor ISD’s Superintendent Royce Avery.
Avery said the TEA's grade does not reflect his district, though.
“We're grounded on trying to do best for kids and families in our community,” Avery said. “We're in the process of developing and troubleshooting and figuring out what we need to do differently. And I feel we're in a good place to have a stepping stone – a new direction for this district.”
Avery said in response to the grade, the district will engage its parents and students like never before.
And the campuses that are high-performing will engage with principals of campuses that did not make the grade. Avery said they will share some of the best practices.
Parents said the low grade is disappointing.
"I feel like the ratings are almost kind of unfair,” said Shouneille Moore, who has two students at Manor ISD. “They don't really judge the whole district and the whole student."
The TEA identified academic performance and graduation rates as points of improvement for Manor.
Hispanic students, who make up the majority of Manor ISD, did not meet the state's graduation rate standard.
Manor ISD said it may appeal the TEA's grade.
KVUE contacted Del Valle ISD and Luling ISD for comment on their low grades -- but we have not heard back.
