San Benito, Rio Hondo miss TEA's No. 2 rank

NOTE: A following story containes an error. The San Benito Consolidated Independent School District earned 11 recognized ratings and five academically acceptable recognitions from Texas Education Agency. The recognized campuses were Berta Cabaza Middle School, Fred Booth, Downs, Landrum, Rangerville, Roberts, Sullivan, La Encantada, La Paloma, Raul Garza and Judge Oscar de la Fuente elementaries.

Increases in science scores weren't enough to remove San Benito and Rio Hondo schools from academically acceptable ratings.

The Texas Education Agency recently released ratings based on student performance on state exams, dropout rates and high school completion rates.

"Accountability rates provide parents and community members with a standardized way to examine academic performance at their local schools," said Robert Scott, commissioner of education in a TEA statement.

The Rio Hondo Independent School District remained in the same position as last year with an academically acceptable rating. The district's four schools individually received the same rating.

"Academically acceptable is something we're not extremely happy with," said Richard Savage, Rio Hondo's director of curriculum.

To improve on science test scores, Savage said the district is investing "quite a bit of money" to remedy their scores.

The San Benito Consolidated Independent School District missed a recognized school ranking by 2 percent in the science scores, said Superintendent of Schools Antonio G. Limón.

"We still have room for improvement and we're pleased with the progress we made," he said.

Across the state 818 other districts earned an academically acceptable rating, TEA states.

Within SBCISD, 11 schools received academically acceptable ratings and five recognized ratings.

Recognized ratings are the state's second highest grade. According to TEA, 2,815 campuses received this rating, while 3,509 campuses received an academically acceptable rating.

Next year, the district hopes to have two exemplary campuses.

"(Students) need to be ready to compete - not just locally, but wherever their jobs will take them," Limón said.