Good Reason Houston celebrates the 15th Court of Appeals’ ruling that clears the way for the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to release the 2024 A–F academic accountability ratings. In its July 3rd opinion in Morath v. Pecos-Barstow-Toyah Independent School District, the court lifted the injunction that blocked the release of ratings, restoring public access to timely, transparent information about how Texas schools are serving students.
In March, Good Reason Houston, along with a coalition of Texas leaders representing parents, businesses, and education nonprofits, filed an amicus brief urging the court to uphold transparency and the public’s right to school performance data. In its opinion, the court directly referenced the coalition’s brief, arguing A–F ratings “are the only meaningful tool that ordinary Texans have for assessing public school performance . . . . there is simply no substitute for them.”
“This ruling is a major win for Houston families and communities who deserve accessible information about how their schools are doing,” said Cary Wright, CEO of Good Reason Houston. “We are grateful to the 15th Court of Appeals for their thoughtful deliberation. This decision strengthens transparency, trust, and a shared commitment to stronger outcomes for every student in our state.”
School ratings are more than just data points. They help identify whether students are making academic progress, highlight where resources are most needed and surface successful strategies that can be scaled. For Houston’s diverse student population, this kind of insight is critical to ensure no group of students is overlooked and support reaches the campuses and communities that need it most.
When parents have access to clear, reliable information about school performance, they can better advocate for their children and schools. For educators and school leaders, access to timely information allows for smarter decisions, targeted interventions and more responsive instruction for students. And when entire communities can see how schools are serving students, they’re empowered to collaborate and invest in better outcomes for all.
“At Good Reason Houston, we believe our city and our state can be leaders in public education, but we can’t improve what we can’t see,” Wright added. “This decision returns to education stakeholders a tool that belongs to the public and centers the academic growth of our students. We’re proud to stand with our partners across Texas in supporting this outcome and will work to ensure this momentum translates into students who are equipped to thrive in our great city.”
To read the court’s opinion, click here.
To view the full amicus brief, click here.
