Educators are gearing up for a change to the state’s accountability ratings, which takes effect in fall 2017.[/caption]

What we reported A new rating system for Texas public schools will take effect in 2017. Districts and schools will be assigned an A-F rating.

The A-F system will officially be implemented in the 2017-18 academic year and will reflect performance in the 2016-17 academic year.

The latest There will be five grading areas, or domains, said Joy Philpot, Hays CISD director of assessment and accountability. The first three will be based on STAAR scores, the fourth is based on postsecondary readiness, and the fifth grades community and student engagement.

A report detailing how schools’ and districts’ 2015-16 performance would have been scored under the new system was released Jan. 6. Most Hays and San Marcos CISD campuses received C’s, D’s and F’s in the four domains listed. For the district grade, SMCISD received D’s in Domains I, III and IV, and a C in Domain II. HCISD received C’s in Domains I and II and D’s in Domains III and IV.

What’s next Hays and San Marcos CISDs will hold meetings throughout the year to further discuss the new ratings system.

The first official ratings under the A-F system will not be released until August 2018.

This story is one update from The January Issue. View the full list of 5 things to look for in 2017  here.