HOUSTON -- The superintendent of the Houston Independent School District was honored Thursday for all he has accomplished, KPRC Local 2, Your Education Station, reported.

Dr. Abelardo Saavedra was named regional superintendent of the year by the Association of School Administrators. His name was submitted by HISD board members.

Saavedra was hired in 2004. He instituted new performance standards for students and teachers.

One measure of its success is improved test scores. Last year about 60 percent of HISD schools earned an exemplary or recognized rating from the state -- a higher percentage than any other urban school district in Texas.

Saavedra said the goal is not to train students to take tests, but rather prepare every student for college.

"We're pushing the academic growth of every kid at the higher levels. I think that more than anything else makes a difference in the performance of this district," Saavedra said.

HISD is still a big city school district with big city problems. About 80 percent of students come from impoverished homes and about 30 percent drop out before graduation.

Saavedra is trying to change that with an outreach program to get dropouts back in school.

"The only way these young people have a future is if we succeed not only in educating them, but educating them at higher levels," Saavedra said.