NORTH TEXAS (WBAP/KLIF News ) – Fort Worth and Plano ISDs are among the latest to join dozens of school districts this week in a lawsuit against the Texas Education Agency over significant changes made to the state’s accountability ratings system.
The current system assigns districts and their schools an “A through F” rating based on test results, academic growth, graduation rates and college or career readiness.
The TEA announced the undisclosed changes earlier this year and the way in which schools will be graded has yet to be determined.
Amid the ongoing debate, district leaders have said they’re on board the standards, however schools need time to prepare and understand the changes before they will be assessed.
The district’s lawsuit argues the changes are unfair because the new assessment methods were not given to districts at the start of the 2022-2023 school year as required by state law.
There’s concern among educators that the new ratings could cause some campuses to drop a letter grade.
“We join our colleagues in advocating for a rigorous, transparent, and equitable rating system. It is imperative that any changes are communicated with sufficient lead time,” said a Fort Worth ISD statement.
Dallas, Prosper, Red Oak, Crowley, Frisco and Richardson ISDs have already joined the lawsuit.
The TEA said it does not comment on pending legal matters.
The battle comes at a time when Texas education is at the forefront of state leader’s minds.
On Tuesday, Governor Greg Abbott promised to call a special session in October to pass his priority legislation on school choice.
The Governor wants to allow parents to use taxpayer dollars, known as school vouchers, to transition their children from public to private school.
Critics argue the move takes money away from already underfunded public schools.
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