College Station—A report released by the Texas Educational Excellence Project (TEEP) finds that Latino students continue to improve their performance in Texas. While improvements are being made throughout the state, some districts are making more impressive gains while other districts show room for improvement. Some major policy changes have occurred in Texas since the release of the last report. For example, tests have been changed from the Texas Assessment of Academic Skills (TAAS) to the Texas Assessment of Knowledge Skills (TAKS). As a result of the higher standards associated with the TAKS test, Latino pass rates have dropped. Statewide averages allow TEEP to pinpoint and rank the school districts that are doing the best job of educating Latino students. Other districts may be able to improve the quality of education and student performance by implementing the policies and programs used by the top school districts. The researchers at TEEP are aware that there are differences across the various districts that must be considered. TEEP researchers use a technique that allows them to take into consideration factors such as financial resources, teacher certification, district policies and how these constraints affect the performance of Latino students. Roosevelt ISD is an example of one such exemplary district, ranking 1st as the best school district for Latino students in Texas. Much of the success in this district is accredited to a dedication by both faculty and administration to very high expectations, including a “no excuses” approach. More specifically, faculty and administration follow a two-pronged approach wherein students are pushed, yet also are provided with a great deal of support. Roosevelt ISD is also unique in that the administrators have decided not to academically “track” their students. In other words, they do not differentiate in the typical manner using honors or pre-advanced placement courses; they “expect performance at a college-preparatory level for every student”. Other districts, such as Grandview ISD and Fairfield ISD, are recognized for their education of Latino students. The top ranked schools represent a diverse spectrum of Texas school districts. TEEP recognizes small districts, and separately ranks those schools that have more than 15,000 students. Rankings for all districts and statistical data can be found at http://teep.tamu.edu/

The Texas Educational Excellence Project seeks to apply scholarly research to educational policy issues in order to make recommendations for greater quality and equity in Texas school systems. TEEP is a program of Texas A&M's Department of Political Science, with research associates at the University of Texas - Pan American, University of Texas at Dallas, University of Kansas, University of Oklahoma, and the University of Iowa.