The agency’s FIRST ratings, School Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas, were determined by evaluating districts' financial data for fiscal year 2019-20, which generally runs from June 30 through Aug. 31, according to TEA information. A collective of 15 financial indicators are considered throughout the process, including debt service coverage, the completion of an annual financial report and revenues versus expenditures.
TEA employs an A-F grading scale but also rates each district with a passing score beginning at 60 out of 100.
EISD received a preliminary score of 94, which places the district within the "superior" category outlined by the TEA. The 2019-20 rating reflects a two-point drop as compared to the district’s 2018-19 score.
LTISD received a 98 out of 100—a four-point increase from the previous year.
Districts will be permitted to submit an appeal on their preliminary scores through Sept. 8 by providing supporting evidence to the TEA Financial Compliance Division, according to a TEA release.
TEA finalizes scores 31 days after the release of its preliminary ratings Sept. 9. Final FIRST ratings for the 2019-20 school year are anticipated to be released in November, according to the TEA.
