Data shows Fort Bend ISD earned a "C" rating, or a score of 79 out of 100, for the 2022-23 school year on the Texas Education Agency’s A-F system released April 24.

The gist

The state’s A-F accountability system was designed in 2017 to measure student progress and preparation for the next grade level. However, the system was required to be updated in 2023, leading to over 100 Texas school districts suing TEA Commissioner Mike Morath in August 2023.

The lawsuit claimed the agency’s revamped system was “unlawful” and would unfairly harm school districts, Community Impact reported.
The details

Almost two years after the 2023 score’s scheduled release, a state appeals court ruled April 3 the TEA was allowed to release the scores under a revamped accountability system.


“Accountability works; the public issuance of ratings for school systems does positively affect the academic and life outcomes of children,” TEA Commissioner Mike Morath told reporters April 22. “We do this because it helps children. ... When we don't do it, you don't get the benefits of those public ratings and it is very logical to then presume that performance declines as a result.”

For the 2022-23 school year, the TEA adjusted the methods of calculating the ratings to “more accurately reflect performance,” per a April 24 release from the agency. Texas schools are rated on an A-F scale based on three criteria: student achievement, school progress and closing the gaps.

Digging deeper

The 2023 data showed that out of the 75 FBISD campuses that received ratings:
  • 20 earned an A
  • 22 earned a B
  • 17 earned a C
  • 10 earned a D
  • Six earned an F
Districts and campuses that scored a "D" or "F" may receive extra resources and support from the state, according to the TEA website. Under state law, if at least one campus in a school district receives a failing grade for five consecutive years, the commissioner is required to close that campus or appoint a board of managers.


FBISD officials didn't respond to requests for comments, but the article will be updated when a response is provided.
FBISD has received the following districtwide scores in the last five years:
  • 2018-19: B, score of 89
  • 2019-20: not rated due to the COVID-19 pandemic
  • 2020-21: not rated due to the COVID-19 pandemic
  • 2021-22: B, score of 89
  • 2022-23: C, score of 79
However, the TEA also released “what if” ratings for the 2021-22 school year to reflect the new methodology and offer a year-over-year comparison for the 2022-23 scores.

The “what if” rating showed FBISD would have received a "B," or a score of 82 out of 100, in the 2021-22 school year under the new methodology—showing a three-point drop between the 2022 and 2023 scores.

What’s next?

The TEA remains blocked from issuing ratings for the 2023-24 school year due to a separate lawsuit, which is pending in the state appeals court. Morath also said the TEA intends to release ratings for 2024-25 on Aug. 15, per state law.