Texas recently published two years’ worth of school district grades, ending a long legal dispute concerning its A-F rating system. This system is designed to help parents choose the best educational options for their children.
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) assigns letter grades to districts and schools based on their performance. In the 2024-25 school year, about 1,200 districts were evaluated. The results showed that 14% received an A, while 71% earned a B or C. The remaining 15% scored a D or F.
This release follows a court case where some districts challenged new rating standards. Recently, the 15th Court of Appeals overruled a lower court, allowing the TEA to publish performance scores for both the 2023-24 and 2024-25 academic years.
School ratings can significantly impact parents’ choices and even influence where businesses decide to invest. However, some critics argue that this system disadvantages low-income districts with fewer resources.
Texas rates schools on three main categories:
- Student achievement: This measures how well students perform on state tests and their readiness for life after high school.
- School progress: This tracks improvements in student performance over time.
- Closing the gaps: This evaluates how effectively schools raise scores for specific groups, such as students with special needs and English language learners.
As educational experts point out, these grades can provide valuable insights, but they may overlook the broader challenges faced by under-resourced schools. Research shows that factors like family income and community support play a critical role in student success. According to a 2022 report, about 60% of Texas students come from low-income households, highlighting the need for a more nuanced understanding of school performance.
The new ratings can help families find schools that best fit their children’s needs, but they must also consider the complete context behind the numbers. For more detailed insights, you can explore further information from the Texas Education Agency here.
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