News Summary
The Texas Education Agency has released its 2023 A-F school district ratings, showing a decline for several districts in San Antonio. Notable districts like SAISD, North East ISD, Northside ISD, and Judson ISD have fallen in their ratings due to changes in the accountability system. Concerns have been raised about the fairness of the new criteria, which demands higher standards for high school graduates seeking higher education. While some suburban districts excel, many campuses are struggling to meet expectations, prompting calls for improvements. The TEA plans to release the next accountability ratings in 2024.
San Antonio – The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has released its 2023 A-F school district ratings after a protracted legal struggle over their publication. The new ratings reveal a concerning decline for several school districts in the San Antonio region, stemming from recent alterations to the accountability rating system that has stirred controversy among educators and administrators alike.
The ratings, which provide insight into both overall district performance and individual campus performance, show that prominent San Antonio districts, including the San Antonio Independent School District (SAISD), North East ISD, Northside ISD, and Judson ISD, have all experienced declines in their ratings compared to 2019. Notably, SAISD fell from a “B” rating (83 points) in 2019 to a “C” rating (70 points) in 2023. Other districts similarly saw their ratings drop to either “C” or “D” from previously held “B” ratings.
The changes in the rating system have raised eyebrows, particularly the new requirement for high schools to have 88% of their graduates pursuing higher education to qualify for an “A” rating, a substantial increase from the previous threshold of 60%. These adjustments have led to significant shifts in how districts are evaluated, with approximately 29% of campuses in the San Antonio area receiving failing grades. Only 64% of schools in Bexar County were able to achieve passing scores.
The release of the accountability ratings marks the first time such comprehensive data has been made public since 2019, due to interruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent legal challenges. Notably, the TEA did not issue accountability ratings for the 2020-2021 academic year, and only partial A-C ratings were made available in 2022.
The modifications by the TEA prompted a lawsuit from 120 Texas school districts, which argued that the changes to the rating system were implemented unlawfully. A ruling from a Travis County judge initially deemed the changes unlawful; however, the 15th Court of Appeals later upheld TEA Commissioner Mike Morath’s authority to alter college readiness metrics, allowing the new ratings to proceed as planned.
Despite the overall declines, some districts, including suburban areas like Boerne ISD and Comal ISD, have demonstrated sustained excellence, achieving “A” ratings. In contrast, numerous campuses, particularly in lower-performing areas, have illustrated extremely low performance levels, leading to calls for urgent improvements from educational leaders.
Additionally, several superintendents have voiced their concerns regarding the fairness of the new accountability system. They argue that it does not adequately reflect broader measures of student success and that focusing solely on letter grades is an insufficient way to gauge educational progress. Many insist that a more nuanced understanding of student achievements is essential for accurately assessing school performance.
Looking forward, the TEA plans to release the 2024 accountability ratings in August 2025, contingent on the outcome of an ongoing separate lawsuit. As San Antonio school districts grapple with the implications of these new ratings, the conversation around educational success and equitable assessments continues to unfold, with educators advocating for comprehensive evaluations that account for the unique challenges each district faces.
The shifting landscape of educational accountability in Texas has left many stakeholders concerned about its long-term impact on San Antonio’s students and schools. With a significant focus on transparency and accurate assessment, the coming months will be critical as districts navigate the challenges presented by the new rating system while striving to improve educational outcomes for all students.
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Additional Resources
- News 4 San Antonio
- Wikipedia: Education in Texas
- San Antonio Express-News
- Google Search: Texas Education Agency 2023 school rating
- KENS 5
- Google Scholar: Texas education system
- KSAT 12
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- Axios San Antonio
- Google News: San Antonio school ratings 2023
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The SAN ANTONIO STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HERESanAntonio.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in San Antonio, Bexar County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Fiesta San Antonio, San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo, and Dia de los Muertos. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce and United Way of San Antonio and Bexar County, plus leading businesses in retail, insurance, and energy that power the local economy such as H-E-B, USAA, and Valero Energy. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, and HEREHouston.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
