After two years of lawsuits holding up state accountability results, the courts have dismissed the latest effort to block 2023 A-F ratings statewide, allowing campus-based grades districtwide to become public for the first time since 2019. As of today, ratings for 2024 have not been released by the courts. 

On Thursday, April 24, families can view updated 2022-2023 A–F ratings and other accountability data for every school and district in Texas—including Leander ISD—at TXSchools.gov. This is the first time the full picture is available to the public, not just to school leaders.

In addition to current ratings, the Texas Education Agency will also publish the 2022 “What If” overall scale scores and ratings. These figures offer insight into how campuses and districts would have performed under updated accountability measures. However, the “What If” data does not replace the official 2022 A–F ratings and is provided for reference only.

Please keep in mind, the A–F ratings set to be released reflect data from the 2022–23 school year. LISD has already identified areas for improvement and implemented targeted strategies to support student growth and success moving forward. The district has focused on teacher professional learning communities (PLCs) to support student learning and ownership across all of our campuses. This support includes implementing academic interventions, enhancing staffing, and bolstering curriculum and academic programs

Why it matters

The goal of the A-F accountability system is to easily communicate STAAR performance, among other factors, with families. The ratings consider how schools are performing in different areas, including: 

  • Student achievement – how much students have grown in a subject based on their STAAR performance
  • Closing the gaps – determines how different student groups perform compared to overall performance;
  • Progress to English Language Acquisition;
  • Graduation rates; and
  • College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR).

You may notice that some school ratings look different. That’s because the state made big changes to the STAAR test and how schools are graded. These updates shifted the entire accountability system—not just the test questions, but also how performance is measured.

As a result, ratings may have changed, even if student performance stayed the same. That can be confusing, but it’s important to know that this year’s ratings can’t be fairly compared to past years. They’re based on a new system with new rules.

For families, this is a reminder to look beyond the letter grade. STAAR is one test, one day. The results are one part of a much larger assessment framework utilized within LISD to determine student mastery and understanding of the TX Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS).  We also use:

  • classroom formative assessments, 
  • district assessments covering specific TEKS in units,
  • and universal screeners to identify areas of strength and areas that may need additional focus for each child.

Community-Based Accountability System

Leander ISD has published its 2023–24 Community-Based Accountability System (CBAS) report, offering a comprehensive overview of the district’s progress aligned with its five-year Strategic Plan.

Now in its third year, the CBAS report highlights five focus areas: Empowered Student Learning, Empowered Staff, Impactful Family Engagement, Equitable Access, and Safe and Innovative Learning Environments.

Key findings include:

  • Empowered Student Learning: An increase in students setting and tracking personal academic goals, indicating enhanced ownership of learning.
  • Empowered Staff: A reduction in teacher turnover rates, notably among early-career educators and special education staff.
  • Impactful Family Engagement: 80% of families reported receiving appropriate levels of communication, supported by new digital outreach initiatives.
  • Equitable Access: Implementation of cultural competency training and the launch of an Access Data Dashboard to inform inclusive practices.
  • Safe and Innovative Learning Environments: Facility enhancements funded by the May 2023 Bond, including playground shade structures and updated classroom technology.

The CBAS report reflects Leander ISD’s commitment to a holistic approach to education, emphasizing community-defined outcomes beyond standardized assessments. The full report is available on the district’s CBAS webpage.

We encourage you to talk to your campus leaders, ask questions, and focus on the full picture of how your school is helping students grow.

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