Marshall ISD Improves Accountability Ratings and Student Performance
Multiple campuses within the Marshall Independent School District (ISD) have shown significant improvements in the recently released 2024-25 accountability ratings. The district’s overall rating has ascended from a D to a C, reflecting a positive trend in student performance.
During a recent meeting with district trustees, Dr. NaTasha Crain, assistant superintendent of curriculum and instruction, presented the preliminary accountability ratings alongside results from the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR). A total of five campuses improved their letter grades, demonstrating a collective effort towards enhancing educational outcomes.
Improvement in Campus Ratings
The rating system employed by the Texas Education Agency evaluates student achievement based on standardized tests, graduation rates, and readiness for college, careers, and military service. Individual campus ratings for the 2024-25 academic year are as follows:
– David Crockett Elementary School: Remained an F
– Sam Houston Elementary School: Remained an A
– William B. Travis Elementary School: Improved from a D to a B
– Price T. Young Fine Arts Academy: Improved from an F to a C
– Marshall Junior High School: Remained a C
– Marshall Early Graduation School: Improved from an F to a C
– Marshall High School: Improved from a D to a C
Dr. Crain expressed optimism regarding the ratings and highlighted the importance of using the data to celebrate successes while providing targeted support where necessary.
Trustees engaged in discussions with principals from William B. Travis and Price T. Young regarding their strategies for improvement. Tamekia Johnson, principal of William B. Travis, emphasized her commitment to enhancing the school’s performance after the previous year’s D rating. She noted her frequent presence in classrooms and the focus on effective instructional strategies.
“The biggest thing that we continued was taking what worked and taking it to the next level when it came to aggressive monitoring and intensive tier one instruction,” Johnson stated. She described her hands-on approach, stating that she often found herself directly teaching alongside her instructional coaches.
Similarly, Blake Langley, principal of Price T. Young, attributed the school’s improvement to careful analysis and the strategic placement of staff at the start of the academic year. “We got the right people who were in the right places at the beginning of the year,” he said.
STAAR Score Growth
In addition to campus ratings, Dr. Crain shared district-wide STAAR score data over the past three years, showcasing notable increases in various subjects:
– Third-grade math: Increased by six points
– Fifth-grade math: Increased by nine points
– Fifth-grade reading: Increased by nine points
– Fifth-grade science: Increased by 22 points
– Sixth-grade math: Increased by four points
– U.S. history: Increased by three points
“We had a lot of growth this year, so kudos to everyone who has moved through all of those letter grades, kudos to our principals for doing the work, and making sure that our students are set up for success,” Dr. Crain remarked. She emphasized the importance of maintaining this momentum as the district continues to build on its achievements.
The improvements across Marshall ISD highlight a community-driven effort to enhance educational standards and outcomes, reflecting a commitment to the future success of its students.
