In 1998 96% of the district's students were Hispanic, and many had limited English proficiency. That year, the district tested 77% of its elementary school students for the Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) test. Victor Benavidez, the district's director of assessment, said "If we really wanted to play the game and exempt 5 percent more, then we could easily be exemplary. But we'd rather not. I think there is more respect from the community if you are testing more kids, even though your ratings are a little lower."