Introduction to the Texas School Accountability System
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has been at the center of a heated debate regarding the release of school accountability ratings. Recently, an appeals court ruled that the TEA can release the 2024 accountability ratings of the state’s school districts and campuses, despite several school districts suing to block the scores’ release.
Background of the Controversy
The controversy surrounding the accountability ratings began when the state announced that schools would need to meet stricter benchmarks to get a good rating on its accountability system, which grades them on an A-F scale. High schools can now only get an A if 88% of their seniors enrolled in college, pursued a non-college career, or entered the military. This benchmark used to be at 60%. The state says stricter benchmarks will mean schools will be required to better prepare students for life after high school.
Why Texas Schools Sued the First Time
More than 120 school districts sought to block the release of 2023 performance ratings, arguing that the TEA had not given them enough notice before introducing stricter college readiness standards. The ratings were initially held up when a Travis County judge sided with the school districts in October 2023. However, the appeals court ruling in April allowed the agency to share those school performance grades.
Why Texas Schools Sued a Second Time
In a second legal battle over the A-F rating system, Texas school district leaders questioned the validity of STAAR results since an automated system started scoring them last year. They claim that low scores on STAAR’s reading section are because of the new grading tool, not necessarily because of students’ skills or teachers’ performance. As a result, school district leaders contended that the STAAR test cannot be trusted to produce fair grades of school districts’ performance.
The Appeals Court Ruling
The court ultimately ruled against the school districts, stating that they showed no evidence demonstrating how automated scoring is invalid and unreliable. The court’s opinion read, in part, that "it is time for local courts to stop obstructing those policies," while acknowledging how Texans rely on the accountability system to assess public school performance.
Importance of the A-F Accountability System
Each school district and school is rated every year based on their students’ standardized test scores and academic growth. The TEA also looks at their progress on closing racial and socioeconomic achievement gaps. Parents rely on the rating system to see how successful school districts are in preparing their children and to decide where to enroll their kids. For schools, a bad grade could mean big consequences, including less money for the school since state funding is tied to student attendance.
Texas Lawmakers’ Response to the Lawsuits
The Legislature proposed legislation to deter districts from using legal channels to challenge the ratings system. The bill would have also swapped the often-criticized STAAR test for three shorter tests given throughout the school year. However, the proposal died in the last days of the 2025 state legislative session after the Texas House and Senate failed to agree on what they wanted out of the bill.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the Texas Education Agency’s release of the 2024 accountability ratings will have a significant impact on the state’s school districts and campuses. While some school districts have expressed concerns about the validity of the ratings, the appeals court has ruled in favor of the TEA. The A-F accountability system plays a crucial role in assessing public school performance, and parents rely on it to make informed decisions about their children’s education. As the state moves forward with the release of the 2024 ratings, it is essential to consider the potential consequences and ensure that the system is fair and reliable.
