AUSTIN (KXAN) – On Thursday, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) released the 2023 A-F accountability ratings for schools in Texas.
“These accountability results show a drastic change from ratings under the previous accountability system,” said Austin Independent School District Trustee Lynn Boswell.
In 2023, the state announced the A-F system would be refreshed, which included adjustments to cut scores, the way certain domains and indicators were calculated, and the overall system’s design according to the TEA.
Austin ISD’s district rating under the new system fell from a B to a C in 2023.
“We have 30 schools identified as failing, 16 of which went from a B in 2022 to an F in 2023,” said Austin ISD Superintendent Matias Segura.
Segura said things like retaining teachers through better compensation and investing in instructional coaches are just a few ways they are hoping to make improvements, but it comes at a time when the district is facing a more than $100 million deficit, which can pose some challenges.
“When you think about the efforts required to turn around schools they are resource intensive,” Segura said.
Boswell said the 2023 A to F refresh— which changed how schools are rated— impacted more than just Austin ISD.
“The new test and the new measure have led to a 233% increase statewide in schools rated with an F,” Boswell said.
In the KXAN viewing area there were four A ratings, 20 B ratings,18 C ratings and 15 D Ratings.
A-rated schools include: Eanes ISD, Round Top-Carmine ISD, Flatonia ISD and Fayetteville ISD.
KXAN digital data reporter Christopher Adams put together this map showing how Central Texas Schools performed.
TEA Commissioner Mike Morath said the ratings will ultimately help improve student outcomes, even if districts don’t like how the system works.
“What the evidence shows is that schools that have a D or F rating they get better very quickly because people realize, hey, we need to change what we have been doing, because what we have been doing does not work,” he said.
You can find how your school or district did in 2023 by viewing the report online.
