News Summary
San Antonio schools have received their A-F ratings for 2023, revealing significant declines in many districts compared to 2019. The Texas Education Agency’s new evaluation criteria and lingering effects of the COVID-19 pandemic have made results a mixed bag. While some districts celebrate improvements, nearly a third of campuses received failing grades, highlighting the urgent need for educational support and reform. Communities are encouraged to rally together to address these challenges and ensure a bright future for students.
San Antonio Schools Face Challenging Ratings in 2023
San Antonio, let’s talk about the latest news from our schools! The Texas Education Agency (TEA) just released the highly anticipated 2023 A-F school district ratings, and it’s safe to say the results have caused quite a stir. After a long two-year legal battle that kept everyone guessing, we finally have clarity on how our districts are doing on the academic front.
What’s the A-F Rating and Why Does It Matter?
For those who may not be familiar, the A-F rating system assesses schools based on a variety of factors, including standardized test results, how well students progress each year, graduation rates, and how ready students are for college, careers, or military service. These ratings are not just about bragging rights; they give families a snapshot of how schools are performing and can influence important decisions about education.
Why the Delay?
The A-F rating system was put on hold in 2020 and 2021 because of the COVID-19 pandemic, which everyone knows shook things up in schools across the country. In 2022, the TEA only provided ratings from A to C, so the full A-F ratings for 2023 are the first we’ve seen in a while, and they come with a lot of new criteria that schools had to adjust to.
San Antonio Districts Face Declines
Unfortunately, not all news is good. Many school districts around San Antonio have seen significant declines compared to their 2019 ratings. Here’s a look at how some of our largest districts fared:
- San Antonio ISD (SAISD): Dropped from a B (83) to a C (70).
- North East ISD: Fell from a B (89) to a C (78).
- Northside ISD: Decreased from a B (87) to a C (77).
- Judson ISD: Hit hard, dropping from a B (83) to a D (69).
- Southwest ISD: Fell from a B (82) to a C (75).
- South San ISD: Decreased from a C (77) to a D (60).
- Comal ISD: Dropped from an A (92) to a B (85).
- Alamo Heights ISD: Fell from an A (91) to a B (88).
- Boerne ISD: Remarkably, maintained its A rating, moving from 94 to 91.
It’s a mixed bag out there, with some districts struggling more than others. In total, 29% of San Antonio campuses received failing grades while 64% scored passing grades. This leaves us with lots of questions about how to improve.
The Changes That Have Parents Talking
One big change creating a buzz is the new college readiness metric. To earn an A rating, high schools must now get 88% of their graduating seniors to attend college, a jump from the previous requirement of 60%. This shift has certainly raised eyebrows and added pressure to districts trying to navigate these new waters.
Bright Spots in a Sea of Declines
Efforts for Improvement
Administrators across districts are not sitting back and letting these ratings define them. They are actively seeking new strategies to boost academic instruction and retain quality teachers, especially in districts currently facing higher failure rates.
This is a critical time for our schools, and everyone in the San Antonio community has a role to play. Let’s rally together to support our students and educators as they work through these challenges! Remember, we are cheering for every effort being made to ensure a bright future for our kids.
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Additional Resources
- KENS 5: San Antonio Districts Accountability Ratings
- KSAT: TEA Releases Grades on San Antonio Area Public Schools
- News 4 San Antonio: TEA Releases School Ratings for 2023
- Express-News: San Antonio A-F School Accountability Ratings
- Wikipedia: School Rating System
- Axios: San Antonio School Districts Downgraded Ratings
- Express-News: San Antonio Schools Fall Behind State’s 2023 Ratings
- KENS 5: TEA School Ratings 2023
- Google Search: San Antonio School Ratings
- Fox San Antonio: Texas Education Agency Releases 2023 Performance Ratings
- Google Scholar: Texas Education Agency
Author: STAFF HERE SAN ANTONIO WRITER
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.
