Klein ISD is extraordinary': TEA Commissioner Commends District on Historic Academic Growth

Klein ISD’s Triple-A tradition of excellence in education is stronger than ever.

In Academics, the entire district has maintained or excelled in nearly all tested areas post-pandemic with an unprecedented districtwide increase of nine points in student academic growth and a 67 percent increase in the total number of schools earning “A” ratings in state accountability.

Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath visited Klein ISD, one of only three stops selected for his statewide tour, to help Klein ISD celebrate “unparalleled growth.”

“Klein ISD, it should be worth noting, has experienced unparalleled growth in both student achievement and longitudinal student growth for kids,” Commissioner Morath said. “[Klein ISD] is extraordinary. It is an outlier. [This] is cause for celebration.”

Klein ISD has improved from 33 total distinctions in 2019 to 80 total distinction designations in this year’s ratings. Schools earn distinctions for representing high academic achievement in the top 25 percent of similar schools across the state. Additionally, numerous schools made double-digit gains with higher scores than the pre-pandemic 2019 results.

“The last few years have brought historic challenges, and amidst all the trials, I have witnessed firsthand here in Klein ISD a relentless commitment to our kids,” said Superintendent Dr. Jenny McGown. “The 7,000+ employees of Klein ISD who make the magic happen for our kids every single day deserve our gratitude—from our remarkable teachers to our counselors, school leaders, and district support staff to the cafeteria crew, the custodians, and bus drivers. Everyone of you showing up every single day giving everything you have to deliver on our promise to every student is the reason we’re celebrating today.”

One of the greatest success stories in the district is Nitsch Elementary, raising its overall STAAR rating from 71 in 2019 to 95 in 2022. Nearly 90 percent of the students at Nitsch are economically disadvantaged. The students' achievement earned the school all six possible distinction designations for outstanding performance.

During his visit, the Commissioner unveiled Nitsch’s “A” rating to an audience filled with dedicated educators and special guests, including local representatives and elected officials.

“The level of performance improvement is extraordinary, and that doesn’t just happen. It happens because you have extraordinarily skilled leadership here locally,” Morath said. “You’re seeing double-digit gains across the board.”

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Commissioner Morath also praised Nitsch Elementary on improvements across each domain. The school showed the third highest Student Achievement increase in the state for a high-poverty elementary school. Statewide, many students are performing below pre-COVID levels in mathematics; however, Nitsch’s passing rate increased by an impressive 27 percentage points in the STAAR Math assessment. In addition, Nitsch is one of only eight high-poverty elementary schools in the state to go from zero distinction designations in 2019 to six, the maximum number possible, in 2022.

“The smartest decision I ever made in my life was deciding to come to Nitsch,” Nitsch Elementary Principal Frank Ward said. “Our teachers understand the mission. We speak about it and live it all the time—ensuring we show up every day for every child.”

The Texas Accountability System evaluates the academic performance of Texas public schools as measured through standardized assessments such as STAAR and is one measure of how students are learning and succeeding in Klein ISD.