Houston ISD reported year-over-year improvement in two-thirds of its 2026 STAAR exam categories, demonstrating a notable upward trend. However, despite this progress, local students were still outpaced by statewide performance in several key subjects.

Government representatives gathered in Utica for a special Celebration of Student Achievement, shining a spotlight on the district’s recent successes. Superintendent Christopher Spence hosted the event, offering insight into the efforts that bolstered academic performance and drew recognition from state and federal levels.

Alice Independent School District has earned a “B” in the state’s 2025 accountability reports, a result the district is celebrating as proof of rising academic achievement. The grade, first reported by the Alice Echo News Journal, signals forward momentum for the South Texas school system.