The Texas Education Agency released 2025 A-F Accountability Ratings for schools and campuses across the state last week after a state appeals court ruled in the agency’s favor.
Texas school districts and TEA have been battling in court over how the grades are calculated, and a lower court previously froze the release of scores. Two years of scores were released Friday after the latest ruling.
Whitney ISD received a C overall for the 2024-25 year. The elementary and intermediate campuses, which are paired for the purpose of ratings, received an F. The middle school campus received a D, and the high school campus received an A.
Whitney High School was also recognized with several distinction designations for academic achievement in reading/language arts and top 25% comparative academic growth and closing the gaps.
Whitney ISD Superintendent Todd Southard said that the district was not surprised by its scores. “We knew our high school was going to be at least a high B. The campus continues to improve,” he said. “But we also knew the middle school and intermediate scores were not going to be where they needed to be, and that’s why all the changes were made starting early last spring. I am very confident that both Mrs. Seely and Mr. Adkins will turn those campuses around and that scores will improve considerably.”
Southard said that he believes that there should be some sort of accountability system in place for schools. “I don’t have an issue with having an accountability system, and I also don’t have an issue with the kids having to take a test,” he said.
“My issue is that it is a continual game of cat and mouse between the state and school districts. The state sets up what it wants, districts make the adjustments, scores start to increase, and then the state changes the rules. This has been going on for years. All anyone wants is for the state to pick a system and stick with it.”
Overall ratings for other area districts include Aquilla (A); Blum (B) and Covington (D).
The A–F Accountability System was established in 2017 by the 85th Texas Legislature to provide clear and consistent information on how schools are performing in three key areas: Student Achievement, School Progress and Closing the Gaps.
For a more comprehensive look at all ratings and information gathered about each district and campus, visit the website: txschools.gov.
The Lakelander 