Tyler ISD earns record 64 distinctions in TEA ratings

Tyler, TX – The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has officially released the 2022-2023 accountability ratings, marking the end of a prolonged freeze on public reporting of school district performance data. This long-awaited announcement confirms what Tyler ISD had already projected using publicly reported data from the last two school years. “Every few years, we see the same recalibration pattern,” Superintendent Dr. Marty Crawford said. “As the agency in Austin has repeatedly inferred, “the C is the new B,” these ratings inferences have baked-in decreases aligned with a more rigorous assessment in the name of continuous improvement. The reality is that Tyler ISD has been and will continue to be competitive, regardless of how the system is adjusted. We’ve thrived through these cycles before, and we’ll continue to do so, advocating for our students and communities while maintaining the high standards East Texans expect from their schools.” While the district rating dropped 10 points from the 2021-2022 school year to the 2022-2023 school year, a trend seen statewide due to changes in the accountability system, Tyler ISD outperformed our comparison schools, garnering 64 distinctions, the highest the district has ever received. That’s a 31 percent increase from the distinctions received during the 2021-2022 school year.

The release comes amid ongoing debates about the state’s accountability system and its impact on local school districts. Dr. Crawford emphasized the challenges of a one-size-fits-all approach and the need for solutions that truly reflect the needs of Texas communities.
“I do find the court decision interesting, but typical,” Dr. Crawford said. “For more than 25 years, accountability has been shouldered at the local level—by the students who take these assessments, the teachers who prepare them, and the districts that serve them. As legislators gather in Austin, we are hopeful that the champions of Texas public education will push for improvements to STAAR and other accountability measures, as well as initiatives to elevate the teaching profession through better compensation and support.”
Despite the rating freeze, Tyler ISD has remained focused on continuous improvement, reinforcing strong academic practices and keeping student achievement at the forefront.
“We’ve never let a bureaucratic pause define our work,” Dr. Crawford continued. “Tyler ISD wasn’t involved in the legal battles, so we stayed focused on what we do best, supporting our students and teachers. Assessment is part of our academic culture, and we embrace it as a tool for growth.”
With the release of the latest ratings, Tyler ISD remains committed to providing a high-quality education for its students and ensuring that all campuses continue to improve, regardless of changes to the accountability framework.