Hardin County districts see mixed results in TEA accountability ratings
Dennis Phillips publisher@silsbee-bee.com Robertson County News Hardin County and surrounding area school districts posted a mix of ratings in the Texas Education Agency’s 2025 A–F Accountability System, with some campuses earning strong scores and others facing continued challenges. Hardin-Jefferson ISD received an overall B rating, supported by an 82% “approaches” rate and a 57% “meets” rate on STAAR testing. The district also showed steady graduation rates, climbing to 98.3% at six years. Evadale ISD also earned a B rating, scoring 84% at the “approaches” level and 56% at “meets.” The district posted a perfect 100% graduation rate by the fifth year, maintaining that mark at six years. Buna ISD, however, finished with a D rating, reporting 71% at “approaches” but just 38% at “meets.” Growth and gap-closing scores lagged, though the district’s graduation rate improved to 100% at six years. Hardin ISD received a C rating, with 67% of students at the “approaches” level and 37% meeting grade-level standards. Graduation rates were strong, peaking at 100% in both the fifth and sixth years. Among the Hardin County districts, Silsbee ISD drew a D rating, reflecting struggles in student achievement and progress. Only 65% of students scored at “approaches,” and the district saw limited mastery rates at 12%. Lumberton, Kountze, and West Hardin ISDs each earned a C rating, showing consistent though modest performance. Lumberton posted 77% at “approaches” with a 99.3% graduation rate at six years. Kountze scored 75% at “approaches” and a graduation rate above 94%. West Hardin logged 72% at “approaches” and 97.5% at graduation within six years. Overall, the 2025 accountability results show Hardin County districts maintaining steady graduation outcomes, but with varying levels of student mastery and progress across campuses.
Understanding STAAR Performance Levels
Masters Grade Level – Student shows advanced understanding; well prepared for the next grade and on track for college or career readiness. Meets Grade Level – Student demonstrates strong understanding; likely to succeed in the next grade with little intervention. Approaches Grade Level – Student meets the minimum passing standard but may need extra help to succeed in the next grade. Did Not Meet Grade Level – Student did not pass; needs significant support before moving forward. What the Accountability Ratings Measure Student Achievement – Looks at how well students perform on STAAR tests, graduation rates, and readiness for college or career. School Progress – Measures how students improve year to year and compares performance to similar schools. Academic Growth – Tracks whether individual students are making progress in core subjects, even if they haven’t reached grade-level yet. Relative Performance – Compares a school’s results to other campuses with similar demographics and challenges. Closing the Gaps – Evaluates how well schools are serving all groups of students, including economically disadvantaged, special education, and English learners.
Local scholarship fuels Silsbee grad’s STEM, education ambitions
Silsbee grad Nayomee McGrue has received the Silsbee Educators' Legacy Scholarship.
Submitted | The Silsbee Bee
Dylan Busby reporter@silsbee-bee.com The Silsbee Bee Silsbee — The Foundation for Southeast Texas is highlighting the impact of the Silsbee Educators’ Legacy Scholarship through recipient Nayomee McGrue. A Silsbee graduate, McGrue is pursuing a degree in biology with a minor in education and is focused on science, leadership and encouraging young women to pursue STEM careers. Active in school life, she balances academic work with participation as a cheerleader and leadership roles in Family, Career and Community Leaders of America. The scholarship is credited with easing the financial burden of college, enabling McGrue to concentrate on coursework and campus leadership without the distraction of mounting expenses. Foundation organizers said the award exemplifies how local support for students can produce lasting benefits for the community and the region's future workforce. McGrue's progress reflects the foundation's goal of investing in promising students and helping them translate classroom achievement into community impact. She plans to return home after graduation. McGrue said ““Receiving support from scholarships like the Southeast Texas Foundation Scholarship means so much to me. It allows me to focus more on my education while relieving some of the financial stress that comes with college.”
Kathryn Sprinkle, Mu Upsilon, Lauren Rothe, and Woodcrest Preschool Director, Trudy Matus, celebrate that Woodcrest Preschool was recently awarded a $954.13 grant for a project entitled “Integrating STEM into the Preschool Curriculum.”
Submitted | The Silsbee Bee
