Taylor ISD accountability ranking on the rise
The Taylor Independent School District’s improved accountability ratings have caught the eye of the state’s top education official, who paid a visit to Pasemann Elementary School this past week.
During the last four years, Taylor ISD has improved its state accountability rank by 16 points, earning a “B” rating with a score of 80 for the 2025-26 school year.
During the Oct. 7 visit, Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath toured the school and visited three classes to see firsthand the district’s “commitment to academic growth and student success,” according to Taylor ISD officials.
“This was a proud moment for our entire Naomi Pasemann Elementary family,” said Principal Cynthia Proctor in a release. “We work together every day to make sure our students have the opportunities and support they need to succeed.”
It’s all part of a team effort, added Superintendent Jennifer Garcia-Edwardsen.
“Taylor ISD has been on an incredible journey of academic growth, and that progress begins in our classrooms,” Garcia-Edwardsen said. “We (were) proud to welcome Commissioner Morath and showcase the intentional work our teachers and campus leaders are doing to strengthen instruction and create opportunities for every student to grow.”
During his classroom observations, Morath met with educators Brynne Doss, Marissa Barrios and Susan Kruger, all of whom have earned designations through the state’s Teacher Incentive Allotment program.
The TIA, created by the Legislature in 2019 under House Bill 3, is a state-funded program providing top-performing educators with enhanced compensation but still allowing them to teach in a classroom instead of moving into an administrative office job.
The classroom visits highlighted the expertise of Taylor ISD educators and the district’s emphasis on improvement, collaboration and instructional alignment, school officials said.
“Strong instruction doesn’t happen by chance,” said Chief Academic Officer Megan Zembik. “Our teachers and instructional leaders work together to create meaningful learning experiences, and this visit provided an opportunity to highlight what that collaboration looks like in our classrooms.”
Officials also credited the district’s improving academic standings to strong support from Taylor ISD’s elected school board members.
