The Texas Education Agency TEA has officially released the longawaited AF accountability ratings for public schools across the state, a move that follows a series of legal battles and delays stretching over a year. The ratings, which evaluate the performance of school districts and individual campuses, were initially due in 2023 but were postponed due to legal challenges and complications stemming from the pandemic. After a recent ruling by the Texas Court of Appeals, the ratings for the 20222023 academic year are now accessible to the public, offering a detailed look at school performance after a long period of uncertainty.
The AF ratings system, which assigns letter grades from A to F based on various performance metrics, aims to provide parents and the public with clear insights into the quality of education at individual campuses and districts. These ratings are primarily based on student performance in the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness STAAR exams, as well as other factors such as graduation rates, college readiness, and progress in closing achievement gaps. However, the introduction of new testing measures and revised grading standards has led to significant concerns regarding the fairness of the assessments.
Legal Battles and Delays
The 2023 AF ratings faced a series of setbacks, starting with the impact of the COVID19 pandemic, which led to the suspension of ratings in 2020 and 2021. In 2022, many schools received not rated statuses as they worked to recover from pandemicrelated learning losses. However, the situation became more complicated in 2023 when over 100 Texas school districts filed lawsuits against the TEA, arguing that the revamped accountability system was unfair and potentially harmful to schools still recovering from the effects of the pandemic.
One key point of contention was the states decision to release the new grading standards late in the academic year. According to the TEA, the updated system was designed to raise the bar for high ratings, especially for factors like college and career readiness. However, the delayed release of these standards meant that schools were not fully aware of the criteria that would impact their ratings. As a result, some districts argued that this lack of clarity could unfairly penalize schools that had already put in considerable effort to improve.
The legal battles culminated in a ruling from the Texas Court of Appeals on April 3, 2025, which allowed the TEA to release the 2023 AF ratings. The courts decision emphasized the importance of transparency in school performance and reinforced the legislative intent behind the AF system. However, it also acknowledged the challenges posed by the late introduction of new grading standards.
Despite this victory, the TEA remains blocked from releasing ratings for the 2024 school year due to a separate lawsuit filed by a smaller coalition of districts. These ongoing legal issues highlight the tension between state education policy and the realities faced by schools as they navigate complex challenges.
Key Findings and Changes to the System
The 2023 AF ratings reflect a significant overhaul of the states grading system. In addition to the traditional metrics such as student achievement and progress, the TEA has introduced new components aimed at better assessing college, career, and military readiness CCMR. These measures now require schools to demonstrate that a higher percentage of students are prepared for life beyond high school. To earn an A grade, districts must now show that at least 88 of students are meeting these readiness standards, a substantial increase from the previous benchmark of 60.
This shift in standards has raised concerns, especially among schools in lowerincome areas that may struggle to meet these heightened expectations. The TEA has argued that the new grading system is designed to push schools toward higher standards, but critics warn that it could exacerbate existing inequalities and create a culture of fear rather than improvement.
Furthermore, the new system introduces significant changes to how performance is measured. For example, some schools that may have performed well on the STAAR tests could see their ratings drop due to the introduction of new measures for closing achievement gaps or improving English language acquisition. These changes have led to confusion among parents and educators, who are now faced with ratings that are not directly comparable to previous years.
Implications for Texas Schools
The release of the 2023 ratings is expected to have wideranging implications for Texas schools. For some districts, the results will serve as a public acknowledgment of their efforts to improve student outcomes in the face of significant challenges. For others, the new grading system may lead to a reevaluation of their strategies, as they seek to meet the states more rigorous standards.
In districts like Leander ISD, local administrators have already acknowledged areas for improvement, focusing on targeted strategies to enhance student growth and success. These strategies include strengthening teacher professional development, implementing academic interventions, and bolstering curriculum and support services. For many districts, the ratings are seen as just one part of a much larger picture, and administrators are keen to emphasize the broader, communitybased accountability systems that they have developed to ensure that students are receiving a wellrounded education.
However, for many schools that are still dealing with the effects of the pandemic, the new ratings may feel like an added burden. Critics argue that while the TEAs focus on academic progress is important, it may fail to account for the ongoing challenges that schools face, including staffing shortages, financial constraints, and the lasting impacts of the COVID19 crisis.
Looking Ahead
As Texas schools continue to navigate the complexities of the states accountability system, the debate over the fairness and effectiveness of the AF ratings is likely to persist. With ongoing legal challenges and updates to the grading system, it remains to be seen how the TEA will address these concerns moving forward. For now, the 2023 ratings offer a glimpse into the state of public education in Texas and the ongoing struggle to balance high standards with the realities of school performance in an era of uncertainty.
Parents, educators, and policymakers alike will need to carefully consider what these ratings truly mean and how best to support schools in their pursuit of continuous improvement. Ultimately, the goal should be clear: to ensure that every student in Texas has access to the highquality education they deserve.