Texas Judge Clears Way for Release of 2022-23 School Accountability Ratings

Frisco

April 11, 2025 Maverick Tax Guardians

State Court Permits Release of Texas School Accountability Ratings

In a significant development, a state judge has authorized the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to publish the A-F accountability ratings for public schools for the 2022-23 academic year. This decision, issued on April 3, overturns a previous injunction from 2023 that had delayed the release.

Background of the Case

In August 2023, over 100 Texas school districts filed a lawsuit against TEA Commissioner Mike Morath, challenging the agency’s updated accountability system. The districts contended that the revised system was “unlawful” and would unjustly impact their ratings. Established in 2017 and updated in 2023, the A-F rating system aims to provide parents with clear insights into the performance of schools and districts. However, due to the COVID-19 pandemic and ensuing legal disputes, comprehensive ratings had not been issued since 2019.

Implications of the Ruling

With this court ruling, the TEA is now positioned to assign the 2023 ratings, more than 1.5 years after their initial due date. A TEA spokesperson emphasized the significance of this outcome, stating it “restores a transparent lens into 2023 district and campus performance.” Nonetheless, they also noted the existence of a second lawsuit that continues to prevent the release of the 2024 accountability ratings.

Ongoing Legal Challenges

The legal landscape remains complex. The case concerning the 2023-24 ratings is still active within the court system. Additionally, in October 2023, a district court had temporarily blocked the TEA from issuing new accountability ratings, siding with numerous school districts that deemed the ratings “unlawful.”

As these legal proceedings continue, stakeholders across Texas await further clarity on the state’s school accountability measures.

source
This news article is based on information from:
Community Impact -“UPDATE: TEA to release 2023 A-F accountability ratings in late April following state court decision” (April 9, 2025). Retrieved from:https://communityimpact.com/austin/south-central-austin/education/2025/04/04/state-court-rules-tea-can-release-2022-23-a-f-school-accountability-ratings/