Patrick GIll
Director, Research and Data Strategy
After a two-year delay, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) released A-F Accountability Ratings for the 2022-2023 school year Thursday. Legal challenges from dozens of school districts across the state stalled the process, leaving families, educators, and communities in the dark about how schools were performing.
That lack of transparency had real consequences. Parents couldn’t make informed choices. School systems and other stakeholders couldn’t identify areas in need of additional support and resources. And communities were left wondering where progress was being made – or not.
Ratings Drop, but Standards Rose
At first glance of the latest data, many schools appeared to have declined – but that’s only part of the story.
TEA introduced a more rigorous scoring system in 2023, raising expectations for what it means to prepare students for college, careers, and life after high school. The bar was raised, not because schools got worse, but because Texas law requires TEA to periodically review and make improvements to the accountability rating system. Five years after the A-F system was originally rolled out for the 2018-2019 school year, Texas decided it was time to expect more. The redesigned system increased the overall rigor of the calculations, more closely aligning ratings to postsecondary outcomes, improving how student growth factors into scores, and better incorporating how they account for progress from different student groups.
For example, under the old system, a school could earn an A if 60% of its graduates met the College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) standard. In 2023, that threshold jumped to 88%, a standard which many at the time worried was unrealistically high. Despite those initial concerns, schools in the Houston area saw a 9-point CCMR increase for the class of 2023 from the previous year – proof that higher expectations can drive real improvement.
Because of the major changes to how scores are calculated, 2023 marks a reset – a new baseline for measuring progress. Comparing these ratings to previous years isn’t apples-to-apples. Going forward, the revised system provides us with a new standard to measure our schools against in ensuring they are providing all students the education they need and deserve. High expectations encourage districts and schools to continue pursuing bold, innovative strategies in service of their students.
Districts Are Already Making Bold Moves
While we waited for accountability ratings, districts did not wait to take action. Since 2023, local school districts have taken important steps to address systemic issues and improve the quality of their services to students.
Houston ISD launched the New Education System (NES) to rethink how schools are run
Spring ISD rolled out a comprehensive new math strategy for middle and high school students
Aldine ISD introduced the Health Education and Learning (HEAL) Partnership to support career pipelines to the Texas Medical Center.
Each of these represent innovative strategies in local school districts aimed at putting students on the path to long-term, sustainable success. Good Reason Houston is excited to see the results of these and other promising initiatives across our region in the coming years.
The Reality: Too Few Schools Are Excelling
The 2023 ratings make clear that, while many campuses scored well in the revised ratings, still far too many of our students attended campuses that weren’t providing them with the quality educational experiences they deserve in recent years.
1-in-3 schools received a D or F rating in 2023
32% of students across the Houston region attended schools receiving D or F ratings in 2023, and those students were disproportionately likely to be Black or Hispanic.
There is Hope and Models of Excellence
Encouragingly, nearly half–44%–of our students attended A- or B-rated campuses in 2023, indicating that important, quality work is being done every day.
Good Reason Houston is excited to highlight the incredible work such exemplary, innovative campuses in the Houston region do through our Houston Schools That Inspire campaign. This year’s honorees will be announced on May 5th – sign up for our Good News newsletter and keep an eye on your inbox to learn more!
Looking ahead
The delayed release of these ratings can be frustrating, but it also marks a turning point. With 2023 as a new baseline, we can better track which schools are making real progress- and which need more support.
Though these ratings demonstrate that we still have work to do, they also represent a snapshot in time. Future ratings releases for the 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 school years will allow us to assess both the progress that has been made in the intervening years and areas for continued improvement. Having these ratings in a timely manner remains an urgent priority for our region. We must all work to ensure that future ratings are released without delay, every year.
