Texas Legislature Okays A to F grade rating system for schools

The Texas Legislature has approved a contentious proposal issuing A through F grades rating its public schools’ academic performance.

The House voted 119 to 17 on Sunday to pass a compromise after both it and the Senate approved separate versions of the plan earlier in the session. It now goes to Gov. Greg Abbott to be signed into law.

Schools will be rated primarily based on student performance on standardized tests. But also, graduation rates and community and parent engagement will be considered.

The plan begins in 2016 and replaces a current system where schools get ratings like “met standard.” Texas already had approved a letter-grade system for school districts, but not individual schools.

Supporters say grades are easier to understand. Opponents argue that attending an F-rated school stigmatizes students.