Longview ISD earned an overall score of 88 and a strong B rating in the Texas Education Agency's 2026 accountability system, placing the district just two points below an A.
The districtwide result was reinforced by strong campus performance. Ninety-two percent of Longview ISD's rated campuses earned an A or B, demonstrating broad academic strength across the district. Hudson Pep led the district with an A rating and a score of 98 with Longview High School leading the secondary schools with an A rating and a score of 95, a standout result for a comprehensive high school serving students from across Longview ISD.
Longview ISD's overall score held at a B+ this year, remaining the same as previous result. District leaders said the stable performance during a period in which Longview ISD has been strengthening academic systems, sharpening instructional expectations, developing campus leadership, and building more targeted structures of student support.
But Superintendent Dr. Marla Sheppard said this is only the foundation.
"An 88 is a strong result, and having 92% of our rated campuses earn an A or B demonstrates the tremendous work happening throughout Longview ISD," she said. "We are proud of these results, but we are not settling for them. Over the past two years, we have deliberately built the academic foundation, leadership structures, instructional expectations, and systems of support necessary for sustained growth.
"We now have a clear baseline, a clear direction, and the strategies needed to accelerate our progress. This is our launch point, not our landing place," added Dr. Sheppard.
Michael Tubb, Longview ISD Board President, said the results reflect the combined work of students, educators, campus leaders, families, and district leadership.
"These results begin with our students," he said. "Their effort, persistence, and achievement are the reason we celebrate an 88 district score, A- and B-level performance at 92% of our rated campuses, and an exceptional 95 at Longview High School. Those accomplishments are supported every day by outstanding teachers, strong campus leaders, and families who remain deeply invested in their children's success.
"The Board has complete confidence in Dr. Sheppard and her leadership team. We see a clear direction, disciplined implementation, and systems designed for lasting improvement. The Board is fully aligned with that direction and will continue providing the leadership, resources, and accountability necessary to extend excellence to every student, every classroom, and every campus."
The district's next steps will continue to be guided by Elevate 2030, Longview ISD's strategic plan. The plan aligns the district around five priorities (student achievement, staff development, community, joy, and excellence in operations) and connects those priorities to defined goals, high-impact actions, and measures of success.
Matthew Prosser, Chief of Strategic Initiatives, said the Elevate 2030 Strategic Plan provides a measurable structure for carrying out the superintendent's direction.
"Elevate 2030 converts the superintendent's direction into measurable work," he said. "The plan is organized around five strategic priorities. Each is supported by three to five goals, defined high-impact actions, a district scorecard, and quarterly reports to the Board. These results establish the baseline: an 88 overall, A- or B-level performance at 92% of rated campuses and a 95 at Longview High School. From this point forward, the work can be assigned, measured against specific targets, and reported publicly."
The Texas accountability system evaluates districts and campuses in three primary areas: Student Achievement, School Progress, and Closing the Gaps. Those measures include academic performance, student growth, readiness for college, careers, and the military, as well as outcomes among individual student groups.
Longview ISD's results show that strong performance is widespread across the district. They also identify specific opportunities to improve outcomes at individual campuses, within particular academic subjects, and among student groups. District leaders said those areas are already being addressed through campus-specific improvement plans, stronger classroom instruction, targeted academic interventions, teacher support, and closer monitoring of student progress.
"Accountability data gives us precision," said Dr. Kettisha Jones, Deputy Superintendent. "It identifies where additional support is needed by campus, subject, and student group. We will use it to refine campus plans, strengthen instruction and interventions, and monitor whether those actions produce measurable growth. When the data shows that something needs to change, we will change it."
The 2026 rating continues Longview ISD's record of A- and B-level performance under the state's accountability system. District officials emphasized that the rating will be treated neither as a final verdict nor as a victory lap, but as an important measure of progress and a practical guide for the work ahead.
Accountability ratings are one important measure of district performance and should be considered alongside Longview ISD's broader work to expand opportunity through advanced academics, fine arts, athletics, career and technical education, school choice, student support services, and community partnerships.
"We know exactly where we stand and what comes next," added Dr. Sheppard. "An 88 confirms that Longview ISD is strong. A 95 at Longview High School and A- or B-level performance at 92% of our rated campuses show that excellence is already present across this district. Our charge now is to make it consistent everywhere. The foundation is built. Now we accelerate."