AUSTIN, Texas -- School districts in Texas are getting their own report cards.
The state issued its first A-F letter academic accountability ratings Wednesday, with only about one percent receiving failing marks.
The system evaluates the state’s 1,200 public and charter districts on student achievement, school progress, and closing achievement gaps affecting low-income students.
"How well their students are reaching grade level, how many are meeting grade level, and how well they’re prepared for success after high school," said Lauren Callahan with the Texas Education Agency.
Officials say this revamp gives parents a closer look at school progress.
"What the A-F system as a whole allows parents to do is to have a very in-depth look at how their child’s campus is doing," Callahan said.
Callahan said it also helps identify where more help is needed.
"Maybe where they need a little help and support and then how to target that support in a way that students are growing," she said.
In a news conference Wednesday, TEA Commissioner Mike Morath said the system is objective and balanced. Plus, he insisted, the measures matter.
"I still think that those tests are quite valuable, in telling us if students are performing on grade level on reading and math, and it’s not just my opinion, there’s a heck of a lot of research," Morath said.
Austin Independent School District received a ‘B’ grade and an overall score of 89, based on preliminary accountability results. These three AISD schools, Govalle Elementary and Burnet and Martin Middle Schools did not meet standards last year, but now they do.
AISD has five schools with “improvement required” marks.
Graduation Prep Academy Travis
Mendez Middle School
Rosedale School
Sadler Means Young Women's Leadership Academy
Widen Elementary School
Instead of closing Mendez Middle School, the district is partnering with the Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Math Coalition to help with struggling ratings. The district said it also plans to appeal Rosedale's failing grade. The Central Austin school serves students with cognitive disabilities and other special needs.
“This is one indicator performance, based on primarily STAAR results. We know that our kids and what we do in Austin ISD is more than one test result. It is. We are about fine arts, we are about students demonstrating their genius around career opportunities,” said AISD superintendent Paul Cruz.
Some are concerned the system will rely too much on standardized tests and end up sinking schools.
“When you create an oversimplified system that just places a letter on top of them you’re calling that student a failure, and that’s not fair,” said Mark Wiggins, a lobbyist for the Association of Texas Professional Educators.
“I do not believe that an accountability system that’s tied to standardized tests prepares kids for the 21st century,” said Kevin Brown, with the Texas Association of School Administrators.
Leaders say improving schools starts with more funding.
“Investing in public education actually saves money for our state and helps build businesses and helps our democracy and helps individual children and their families,” Brown said.
The same grading system will be applied to individual campuses next year.
AUSTIN AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT GRADES:
Austin ISD - B
Del Valle ISD - D
Dripping Springs ISD - A
Eanes ISD - A
Georgetown ISD - B
Hays CISD - C
Hutto ISD - C
Lake Travis ISD - A
Leander ISD - B
Pflugerville ISD - B
Round Rock ISD - A
Manor ISD - D
Lago Vista ISD - B
SAN ANTONIO AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT GRADES:
Alamo Heights ISD - B
Boerne ISD - A
Comal ISD - B
East Central ISD - C
Edgewood ISD - D
Fort Sam Houston ISD - A
Harlandale ISD - C
Judson ISD - C
Lackland ISD - A
Medina Valley ISD - A
North East ISD - B
Northside ISD - B
Randolph Field ISD - A
San Antonio ISD - C
Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD - B
Somerset ISD - C
South San Antonio ISD - D
Southside ISD - C
Southwest ISD - C
Southwest Preparatory School - B
Click here for a full list of district letter grades.