District News

WACO, Texas – Waco Independent School District (ISD) today acknowledged that the district’s 2024 and 2025 state accountability ratings are a clear call to action and an opportunity to accelerate student growth and achievement. District leaders are embracing this challenge with renewed focus, implementing targeted strategies to support student learning, strengthen instruction, and empower campus leadership.

Superintendent Dr. Tiffany Spicer emphasized that while the results are disheartening and clearly not where the district should be, they do not define the potential of Waco ISD students, teachers, or schools.

“From the moment I arrived last October, I have felt the energy, commitment, and deep sense of pride that defines this incredible community,” Spicer said. “As we stand on the threshold of a new academic year, I want you to know that I am fully focused on one goal: excellence in everything we do for our students.”

Over the past few months, Spicer and the Waco ISD leadership team worked closely with the Waco ISD Board of Trustees to develop a new strategic plan that sharpens our district’s focus and strengthens our path forward. 

“This plan is more than just a roadmap — it is a shared commitment to our mission: to cultivate WISDom, inspire growth, and pursue excellence in every student,” Spicer said. 

The 2024 and 2025 state accountability “D” ratings reflect some of the challenges Waco ISD has faced, while also highlighting the urgency and importance of the work already underway. 

“We are not discouraged — we are focused,” Spicer said. “Our new strategic plan is designed to address these challenges head-on, ensuring that every campus has the support, resources, and leadership needed to grow and thrive.”

One of those steps toward ensuring every campus has support is the creation of the Office of School Leadership, a new department dedicated to strengthening the support of student achievement and leadership development. This office works closely with campus leaders to identify specific challenges, implement proven instructional practices, and monitor progress to improve academic outcomes for our students.

The district has also implemented additional supports to accelerate academic growth for students, including:

• The June 2025 adoption of new math curriculum for the first time since 2014;
• Refining the reading and language arts curriculum; 
• Adjusting secondary bell schedules to increase opportunity for intervention and rigor; and
• Strengthening district-wide Professional Learning Communities (PLC) to ensure teachers collaborate regularly and effectively to analyze student data and identify learning gaps.

“We are committed to giving our students every opportunity to succeed, and that means making strategic changes that truly impact the learning environment at Waco ISD,” Dr. Melissa King-Knowles, Deputy Superintendent, said. “With the creation of the Office of School Leadership, adoption of updated curriculum, adjustment to secondary schedules to allow more time for intervention, and effort to strengthen our district-wide Professional Learning Communities, we are setting the stage for accelerated growth across Waco ISD.”

District leaders will continue to provide regular updates to the community on progress toward improvement goals.

Hear directly from Dr. Tiffany Spicer about the Waco ISD accountability ratings in this video: https://youtu.be/NZ3F4ucfRNU