Several low-performing Corpus Christi ISD schools have adopted turnaround and targeted improvement plans.
These plans are required for campuses that are rated poorly in the Texas school accountability system. But because school improvement is a multi-year process, some of the Corpus Christi Independent School District campuses included are doing better than the designation might imply.
Take Yeager Elementary School, a campus that earned a low F rating from the Texas Education Agency in the 2023-24 school year but made significant gains last year.
The CCISD Board of Trustees approved a targeted improvement plan on Nov. 10 for Yeager, which is designated as a Comprehensive Support and Improvement Progressing school.
The “comprehensive support” designation indicates that the school was one of the lowest 5% of campuses receiving Title 1, Part A funds for high-poverty schools based on progress closing gaps between student groups.
But the “progressing” part of the title indicates that the campus could soon shed the designation. If a campus doesn’t rank in the bottom 5% based on closing gaps for two consecutive years, it can exit Comprehensive Support and Improvement identification.
Yeager improved its “closing the gaps” score from a 30 to an 87 out of 100 between 2023-24 and 2024-25. Its overall TEA rating jumped three letter grades from a 53 to an 86.
Shaw Elementary School is another Comprehensive Support and Improvement Progressing school. Shaw improved its “closing the gaps” score from a 51 to a 74 between 2023-24 and 2024-25.
Kelsie Morris, CCISD assistant superintendent for school leadership, said that both Shaw and Yeager are on a path to exit school improvement at the end of the current school year.
But other campuses are still struggling.
This includes Martin Middle School, where gains were too small to meet the expectations of state regulators.
Martin Middle School earned a 61 in 2023-24 and a 66 in 2024-25 for closing the gaps. The school’s overall score inched up from an F to a D.
But with two consecutive unacceptable ratings, Martin Middle School is required by law to develop a campus turnaround plan.
Cullen Place Elementary School earned its first unacceptable rating under state accountability this fall based on last school year. It was the only Corpus Christi ISD campus to drop a letter grade except for Coles High School, an alternative school that is still highly rated with an 87.
Cullen Place earned an overall score of a 66 in 2024-25. The large elementary school has only been open since 2023.
Due to low performance, Cullen Place Elementary School has a Comprehensive Support and Improvement plan for 2025-26.
Allen Elementary School and Driscoll Middle School are labeled as targeted improvement campuses. This indicates they have student groups who have consistently underperformed for three consecutive years.
Allen Elementary School earned a D in 2023-24 but improved to a B in 2024-25. However, planning is focused on improving academic performance for emergent bilingual students.
Driscoll Middle School earned an F in 2023-24 but jumped to a C in 2024-25. However, the campus’ targeted improvement plan is targeted at special education and continuously enrolled students.
Four additional campuses are not identified as low-performing but have also submitted plans as a requirement for receiving grant funds. These campuses are Cunningham Middle School at South Park, Grant Middle School, Haas Middle School and Hamlin Middle School, each of which have successfully improved and shed school improvement designations in past years.
All achieved B ratings in 2024-25, except for Cunningham Middle School at South Park, which received a C.
For each school improvement plan, the district began with a campus needs assessment.
The district’s approach to low-performing schools focuses on implementing high-quality curriculum and allocating resources. The strategy includes consistent monitoring and data analysis.
The Texas Education Agency consults on planning, and the Education Service Center Region 2 conducts site visits.
The district is implementing Bluebonnet Math, state-sponsored math instructional materials, with grant-funded professional learning for teachers, instructional coaches and district leaders by Education Elements.
The district is also partnering with the National Institute for Excellence in Teaching to provide coaching for district and campus leaders.
School board member Alice Upshaw Hawkins said during a Nov. 10 meeting that master teachers could play a key role in improving performance in struggling schools.
The district participates in the state’s Teacher Incentive Allotment program, which offers pay boosts to teachers designated as recognized, exemplary or master teachers based on student performance.
Morris said that the district has worked to encourage strong teachers to take on roles at low-performing schools, but that transfers are voluntary for teachers.
“One of our big focuses at Martin and all of our school improvement campuses, as well, is really building the capacity and the teachers that are there,” Morris said.
Earlier this fall, the Caller-Times interviewed leaders at campuses that had bounced back from low scores, as well as campuses with lingering challenges. Read more about Yeager Elementary School, Driscoll Middle School, Shaw Elementary School, Cullen Place Elementary School and Martin Middle School.
MORE EDUCATION NEWS
This article originally appeared on Corpus Christi Caller Times: See which low-performing Corpus Christi ISD schools are targeted for improvement
Reporting by Olivia Garrett, Corpus Christi Caller Times / Corpus Christi Caller Times
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
