Texas Legislative Guide

Near the top of Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick’s education agenda for the 2015 legislative session was a plan to change how the state rates public schools, replacing the current system with an A-F grading method.

Supporters of the proposal say such an accountability system would make a school’s performance easier to understand, would help more parents become involved in their children's education and would allow the state to target failing schools effectively. 

Critics of the plan, however, argued that giving a school a low grade would unfairly stigmatize the school and its students. They also letter grades wouldn’t take into account factors like funding problems.

House members folded in legislation enacting the A-F system into a broader education measure, which passed both chambers. 

More changes came to the accountability system with House Bill 1842, which allows the state to impose sanctions and changes in schools that have been failing for at least two consecutive years. It also permits higher performing school districts to create “multiple-campus innovation zones” exempt from certain state and local requirements.

Updated: June 2, 2015