Education
BY WESLEY GARDNER & HANNAH NORTON
TEA blocked from issuing 2023-24 A-F ratings For the second year in a row, a Travis County judge blocked the Texas Education Agency from releasing its A-F accountability ratings for Texas school districts and campuses Aug. 12. The case echoes a 2023 lawsuit from over 100 school districts, which alleged the TEA’s revamped system was “unlawful” and would unfairly harm school districts. The agency was set to release ratings for the 2023-24 school year on Aug. 15. What’s happening In a lawsuit filed Aug. 12, five public school districts—Pecos-Barstow-Toyah, Crandall, Forney, Fort Stockton and Kingsville ISDs—said the TEA has not been transparent about changes to its system and failed to fix “mistakes” made last year. Plaintiffs also expressed concerns that “it is not mathematically possible” for many schools to receive an A rating under the new system.
HISD places $4.4B in bonds on ballot Voters within Houston ISD’s boundaries will decide the fate of a $4.4 billion bond referendum following a unanimous vote by the district’s board of managers to place the bond on the Nov. 5 general election ballot. The overview The bond will largely focus on upgrading and improving more than 270 campuses throughout the district. Voters will consider two separate bond propositions during the Nov. 5 election, including: • Proposition A: $3.96 billion to address aging infrastructure • Proposition B: $440 million for technol- ogy infrastructure and upgrades
How it works Texas’ A-F system, designed in 2017, gives parents insight about the quality of their children’s schools. If a campus or district receives a failing grade for several years in a row, the state can intervene. Among other factors, ratings are based on:
Student performance on standardized tests
Academic growth
High school graduation rates
Closing achievement gaps
SOURCE: TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY/COMMUNITY IMPACT
Zooming in Travis County District Judge Karin Crump sided with the school districts in an Aug. 12 order, tem- porarily blocking the TEA from issuing new ratings while litigation continues. TEA officials said they are reviewing the filing to determine next steps.
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