Back in 2019, Region One Education Service Center received statewide attention after every school district in the region earned either an “A” or “B” accountability rating from the Texas Education Agency (TEA). At the time, the achievement was viewed as a major milestone for South Texas education.
But are Region One schools still among the top-performing districts in Texas today?
The answer is more complicated than it was in 2019.
What Is Region One in Texas?
Region One Education Service Center serves school districts throughout deep South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley.
The region includes school districts and charter systems across:
- Cameron County
- Hidalgo County
- Jim Hogg County
- Starr County
- Webb County
- Willacy County
- Zapata County
Region One currently supports:
- More than 420,000 students
- Hundreds of campuses
- Dozens of school districts and charter systems
- Thousands of educators across South Texas
The region includes major communities such as:
- McAllen
- Brownsville
- Edinburg
- Harlingen
- Laredo
Were Region One Schools Really Ranked Among the Best in Texas?
Yes — during the late 2010s, Region One schools received significant praise for academic improvement and accountability performance.
In the 2019 TEA accountability ratings:
- Every traditional school district in Region One earned either an A or B rating
- No district received a C, D, or F
- Region One became known statewide for major academic improvement despite economic challenges
This achievement was especially notable because many districts in South Texas serve:
- High percentages of economically disadvantaged students
- Large bilingual student populations
- First-generation college-bound families
- Rural and underserved communities
Education leaders across Texas highlighted Region One as an example of long-term academic improvement and educational investment.
How Are Region One Schools Performing Today?
Today, Region One schools continue performing well overall, but the statewide rankings and accountability system have changed significantly since 2019.
Texas Accountability Ratings Have Changed
Since 2019, several factors have affected statewide school rankings:
- COVID-19 learning disruptions
- Changes to STAAR testing standards
- Legal challenges involving TEA accountability calculations
- New college, career, and military readiness benchmarks
- Increased focus on post-pandemic academic recovery
Because of these changes, comparing current ratings directly to 2019 can be difficult.
Recent School Performance in the Rio Grande Valley
Many South Texas districts continue earning strong ratings and distinctions.
Several districts in the Rio Grande Valley and Region One continue ranking highly in areas such as:
- Early college programs
- Graduation rates
- College readiness
- Bilingual education
- Career and technical education (CTE)
- Advanced placement participation
Some districts in the region have also gained national recognition for:
- Dual enrollment programs
- STEM education
- Teacher development
- Student growth metrics
Districts frequently recognized for strong academic performance include:
- Sharyland Independent School District
- South Texas Independent School District
- McAllen Independent School District
- Mission Consolidated Independent School District
- Harlingen Consolidated Independent School District
South Texas Education Has Improved Dramatically Over the Past 30 Years
One part of the original article remains very true today: the transformation of education in South Texas has been remarkable.
Decades ago, many Rio Grande Valley school districts struggled with:
- Lower test scores
- Limited funding
- Higher dropout rates
- Poverty-related educational barriers
Today, many Region One districts outperform expectations despite continuing economic challenges.
South Texas schools have increasingly focused on:
- College preparation
- Workforce readiness
- STEM programs
- Technical certifications
- Early college high schools
- Bilingual education pathways
This long-term investment in education has helped fuel economic growth across the Rio Grande Valley.
Why Education Matters for Economic Growth in the Rio Grande Valley
Education remains one of the biggest drivers of economic development in South Texas.
As the Rio Grande Valley continues growing, improved education systems help support:
- Workforce development
- Healthcare expansion
- Manufacturing growth
- Technology and logistics industries
- International trade opportunities
The region has also seen growth in:
- University enrollment
- Trade schools
- Healthcare training programs
- Skilled labor development
Many local leaders believe continued educational investment will remain critical to reducing poverty and improving long-term economic opportunity across South Texas.
Challenges Still Facing Region One Schools
Although Region One has made major progress, challenges remain.
South Texas schools continue addressing issues such as:
- Teacher shortages
- Student absenteeism
- Funding disparities
- Mental health support
- Post-pandemic learning gaps
- Rapid population growth
Despite these obstacles, Region One continues to be viewed as one of the most improved educational regions in Texas over the past several decades.
The Future of Education in South Texas
Education leaders throughout the Rio Grande Valley continue investing heavily in:
- Career readiness
- Technology integration
- College partnerships
- Workforce certifications
- STEM education
- Early childhood education
As the region’s economy grows, many experts believe South Texas schools will continue playing a major role in shaping the future workforce of Texas.
The progress seen throughout Region One is no longer viewed as a temporary success story. Instead, it represents decades of educational reform, community involvement, and long-term investment in students across the Rio Grande Valley.
Why This Matters to Texas Families
Strong schools help create:
- Safer communities
- Better jobs
- Higher wages
- Economic opportunity
- Long-term regional growth
The success of Region One schools impacts not only students and families, but also businesses, employers, and the future development of South Texas as a whole.
Contact Herrman & Herrman Personal Injury Lawyers
At Herrman & Herrman Personal Injury Lawyers, we proudly support families and communities throughout South Texas and the Rio Grande Valley.
We proudly serve clients across:
- Corpus Christi
- McAllen
- Brownsville
- Laredo
- San Antonio
- And communities throughout Texas
Contact Herrman & Herrman Personal Injury Lawyers
At Herrman & Herrman Personal Injury Lawyers, we help accident victims throughout Texas, including clients in San Antonio and across Bexar County.
We can help you if you have been harmed by the following:
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- Truck accidents – Thousands of large commercial trucks travel the roads of Texas every single day. Unfortunately, careless truck drivers and trucking companies disregarding safety put innocent people at risk of serious injuries. If you’ve been injured in a truck accident, let our experienced Texas personal injury lawyers stand up to the trucking companies and insurers on your behalf.
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ABOUT HERRMAN & HERRMAN PERSONAL INJURY LAWYERS
