Understanding Texas’ A-F School Grades
Texas parents can now view the A-F grades their children’s schools earned in 2024 and 2025. The grades are available on the TxSchools.gov website, providing families with the most up-to-date information about their local schools’ performance. Dallas ISD scored a B in the most recent school year, while Fort Worth ISD received a C. A little over half of Texas schools, 56%, earned an A or a B in 2025, with 24% scoring a C, 10% scoring a D, and 4% receiving Fs. Six percent of Texas schools were not rated.
The 2025 grades offer a snapshot of how well local schools are performing, allowing parents to make informed decisions about their children’s education. The state’s unusual rollout of releasing 2024 and 2025 academic accountability ratings simultaneously was due to a protracted legal battle. A group of districts sued Education Commissioner Mike Morath in 2023 and 2024, seeking to stop the Texas Education Agency from publishing scores. Both lawsuits were unsuccessful in the 15th Court of Appeals.
How the A-F System Works
Texas’ A-F system grades every public school campus across the state, with rankings that significantly impact how communities view local schools. The grades are based largely on standardized test scores, with the state considering three categories: student achievement, school progress, and closing the gaps. “Student achievement” assesses how children performed on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) tests, while “school progress” factors in improvement year over year or in relation to comparable campuses. “Closing the gaps” evaluates how schools educate 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 higher – while closing the gaps makes up 30%. This system aims to provide a comprehensive picture of a school’s performance, helping parents and educators identify areas for improvement.
Delayed 2024 Scores
The release of the 2024 scores was delayed due to a lawsuit filed by several district leaders against Education Commissioner Mike Morath. The lawsuit challenged the use of computerized scoring of essay questions on the STAAR test, which replaced human graders with AI grading. District officials argued that this change would unfairly lower the A-F ratings of many school districts and campuses. However, a court ruled in favor of the state, allowing the education agency to release the 2024 scores.
Dallas ISD leaders also raised concerns about the new system, although they were not part of the lawsuit. DISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde requested that the state education agency review a sample of STAAR responses to confirm that students earned the correct score. Of the 5,420 answers submitted, roughly 35% showed improvement after being rescored, resulting in five Dallas ISD schools earning higher A-F grades compared to initial projections.
Impact on Schools and Communities
The A-F system has a significant impact on schools and communities, influencing where people buy homes and enroll their children. The grades can also trigger consequences for underperforming schools, including state takeover. Private schools in Texas are not graded, as they are not subject to the same accountability measures as public schools. The A-F system is designed to provide transparency and accountability, helping to ensure that all Texas students receive a quality education.
In 2025, nearly a third of campuses improved by at least one letter grade, with 85% of schools either maintaining or increasing their ratings. Dallas ISD saw marked progress, with 60 schools earning an A, double the number in 2024. Another 103 schools scored a B, 49 earned Cs, and 14 got Ds. Two campuses received Fs, down from 24 the previous year.
Conclusion
The A-F system provides a comprehensive framework for evaluating school performance in Texas. While the system has faced challenges and controversy, it remains a crucial tool for promoting accountability and transparency in education. By understanding how the A-F system works and its impact on schools and communities, parents and educators can work together to ensure that all Texas students receive a high-quality education.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What are the A-F school grades, and why do they matter?
A: The A-F school grades are a system used to evaluate the performance of public schools in Texas. They matter because they provide a snapshot of how well local schools are performing, allowing parents to make informed decisions about their children’s education.
Q: How are the A-F grades calculated?
A: The A-F grades are based on three 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 higher – while closing the gaps makes up 30%.
Q: What happens to schools that receive low grades?
A: Schools that receive low grades may face consequences, including state takeover. However, the A-F system is designed to provide support and resources to help underperforming schools improve.
Q: Are private schools in Texas graded?
A: No, private schools in Texas are not graded, as they are not subject to the same accountability measures as public schools.
