Del Valle ISD joins lawsuit over TEA accountability ratings

Dear DVISD families and staff,

I want to provide you with an update after yesterday’s information about the Texas Education Agency’s proposed changes to the Texas State Accountability System. Last night, our Board of Trustees unanimously voted to join a coalition of school districts across the state in a lawsuit against the Texas Education Agency to halt the so-called “refresh” of the system.

As a district, we have tirelessly worked to improve student outcomes, and we are so proud of the amazing progress we are making as provided in the chart on the right showing the student growth over the past four years. This pride is a reflection of the hard work from our teachers, staff, students, and families in making Del Valle’s growth a reality. We are disappointed that the Texas Education Agency is using this change in the accountability system to paint a picture that public schools, including Del Valle ISD, are failing. While we are focusing on your childrens’ success, we are being pulled into a political agenda. 

Below are important facts we want our families to know regarding the changes to the new Accountability System and the impact that it will have on campus and district ratings:

There is a 28 point increase to the College and Career Readiness (CCMR) standard, which moves the goal post from 60 percent to 88 percent.

• This increase retroactively applies to the graduated Class of 2022, changing this standard more than a year after they graduated.
• The district rating has moved to a weighted system that is highly dependent on the high school’s CCMR score.
• The test was fully redesigned, adding new question types, cross-curricular passages, and evidence-based writing.
• The state moved to 100% online testing for all students.

School districts are not alone in their concern, as represented by a bipartisan group of 55 legislators who asked the commissioner to delay implementing the new standards. As State Representative Gina Hinojosa said in March, "It's almost like there's a plan to make our public schools look bad this legislative session for some reason."

As part of my commitment to keep the community informed, I will be meeting with staff and parents over the next month. I also plan to share videos with a state accountability expert outlining these changes and continue my advocacy at the Capital testifying for the benefit of our students in Del Valle ISD.

I will be the first to say that there is still much more work to be done, but we are excited about the progress we have made as a district and are looking forward to the work ahead during this coming school year.

I would like to thank our Board of Trustees for supporting our district in this effort. Families and staff, please help us by contacting your state representatives as collectively we can bring positive change for the students of Del Valle ISD and the entire state of Texas.

Sincerely,

Annette Tielle, Ed.D.

Superintendent

KVUE News: Del Valle ISD joins lawsuit against TEA