WhitehouseTexas.com

East Texas schools were generally rated worse this year under accountability ratings from the Texas Education Agency, mirroring poorer ratings seen across Texas as the state implemented tougher standards for the second consecutive year.
In 2005, only six campuses in Smith and surrounding counties earned the highest rating, exemplary, compared with 20 in 2004. There were no districts in that region that received an overall exemplary rating in 2004 or 2005.
Education Commissioner Shirley Neely attributed the statewide performance to lower math and science passing rates on the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills standardized test. There was also a new TAKS-aligned exam for special education students given for the first time.
No school district in a nine-county East Texas region received the lowest ranking, academically unacceptable. Six districts in the same region were recognized, the second highest rating, compared with 23 in 2004. Most districts were rated academically acceptable.
No Smith County campuses earned an exemplary rating, but the Lindale, Troup, Tyler and Whitehouse independent school districts each had recognized campuses.