Understanding Texas’ A-F Academic Accountability System
Texas parents will soon be able to see how their local campuses ranked in the state’s A-F academic accountability system – for 2024 and 2025. The Texas Education Agency will release both sets of campus and district grades Aug. 15, officials announced Thursday. Families will be able to find the results on TXschools.gov.
The 2024 release was held up by a lawsuit. Earlier this month, the 15th Court of Appeals cleared the way for those scores to go public.
What is the A-F Academic Accountability System?
Texas’ academic accountability system evaluates every public school and district across the state on an A-F scale, giving families a sense of how their campuses are performing. The ratings are a major factor in how communities perceive their schools, with parents often considering the scores when deciding where to enroll their children.
How are the A-F Grades Determined?
Under the current system, the state looks at three major categories to determine A-F grades: student achievement, school progress, and closing the gaps.
“Student achievement” considers how children performed on the STAAR tests. For high schools, it also weighs graduation rates and other metrics.
“School progress” factors in how much improvement students made year-over-year or how well they did in relation to those at comparable campuses.
“Closing the gaps” looks at how schools do in educating children in different groups, such as those living in poverty or receiving special education services.
Seventy percent of the grade is based on either student achievement or school progress — whichever is the higher grade — while closing the gaps makes up 30%.
Controversy Surrounding the A-F Grades
Several school districts sued Education Commissioner Mike Morath to stop the release of the 2024 scores, alleging the grades are invalid because they’re based on flawed State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, tests. The A-F ratings are largely grounded in these standardized test scores.
Morath has repeatedly defended the validity of the state tests – along with the importance of academic accountability – and lambasted district leaders for holding up the public release of A-F grades.
Frustration over STAAR is fueling ongoing debate in the Legislature. The special session includes a call for lawmakers to reconsider their failed attempt to toss out the standardized test.
Why are the A-F Grades Important?
The A-F grades are important because they provide families with a sense of how their schools are performing. They also help identify areas where schools need improvement, which can inform decisions about education policy and resource allocation.
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Conclusion
In conclusion, the A-F academic accountability system is an important tool for evaluating the performance of public schools and districts in Texas. While there may be controversy surrounding the system, it provides families with valuable information about their schools and helps identify areas for improvement.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the A-F academic accountability system?
A: The A-F academic accountability system is a way of evaluating public schools and districts in Texas based on their performance on a range of metrics, including student achievement, school progress, and closing the gaps.
Q: How are the A-F grades determined?
A: The A-F grades are determined by looking at three major categories: student achievement, school progress, and closing the gaps. Seventy percent of the grade is based on either student achievement or school progress — whichever is the higher grade — while closing the gaps makes up 30%.
Q: Why are the A-F grades important?
A: The A-F grades are important because they provide families with a sense of how their schools are performing and help identify areas where schools need improvement.
Q: Where can I find the A-F grades for my school or district?
A: The A-F grades for your school or district can be found on the Texas Education Agency website, TXschools.gov.
