Proposed 2024 Accountability Manual

The purpose of this communication is to inform school districts and open-enrollment charter schools (school systems) about the publication of the proposed 2024 Accountability Manual. 

A–F Accountability

The Texas A–F accountability system is a tool to help school systems continuously improve student performance to achieve the goals of eliminating achievement gaps based on race, ethnicity, and socioeconomic status and ensuring Texas is a national leader in preparing students for postsecondary success. One of the design commitments of A–F is that the system maintains, to the extent possible, the same calculations and cut scores for up to five consecutive years without annual changes, to allow for better year-over-year performance comparisons. 

2024 is not a Refresh Year

In the 2022-23 school year, the A–F system was refreshed based on more than two years of feedback from stakeholders. The refresh included changes to cut points, domain and indicator methodology (e.g., a new methodology for growth), and changes to the overall system (e.g., district proportional ratings). In 2024, cut points, domain and indicator methodology, and the overall system will remain the same as those communicated and established in rules adopted for the prior year.

Proposed Manual

The proposed manual has been published on the 2024 Accountability Manual webpage. The proposed rule to adopt the 2024 manual is expected to be available publicly in the Texas Register on February 23, 2024, followed by a 30-day period to gather public comments. Details on the public comment period and how to submit comments can be found on the Proposed Commissioner of Education Rules website.

The proposed manual includes updates to improve clarity and understanding based on stakeholder feedback. In addition, the proposed manual contains previously communicated changes (e.g., reintegrating the military enlistment indicator through a process for collecting DD Form 4 information securely) and updates based on policy changes (i.e., the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board (THECB) updates to TSI exemption criteria). 

Updates to the Proposed Manual for Future Accountability Cycles

Based on feedback, the proposed manual also includes early communication of changes that would impact future accountability cycles beyond 2024 accountability, thus allowing it to remain relevant for more accountability cycles. These updates include additional detail on the phase-in of the alignment of programs of study to the industry-based certification (IBC) indicator over the next three accountability cycles and a new process to ensure consistent quality with College Preparatory courses. These parts of the A-F system provide a window for parents, educators, community members, and business leaders to know whether Texas students have access to high-quality pathways to career and college and are prepared for success after high school graduation.

As a reminder, the 2023 accountability manual included the phase-in schedule for the programs of study completion requirements. In order to receive credit for earning an IBC in college, career, and military readiness (CCMR), 2024 graduates must also pass and receive credit for an aligned level two or higher course in an aligned program of study, 2025 graduates must also be a Concentrator in an aligned program of study, and 2026 graduates must also be a Completer in an aligned program of study. For students to meet the IBC and program of study indicator of CCMR, students must have earned an IBC in the associated crosswalk. The Industry-Based Certification Lists for Public School Accountability and the IBC to Program of Study Crosswalks are on the Industry-based Certifications website. The Program of Study Frequently Asked Questions is on the Programs of Study website.

As communicated previously, improvements are needed to ensure that College Preparatory courses (defined in Texas Education Code (TEC), §28.014) meet standards consistent with other indicators of college readiness. The proposed rule includes information about two planned changes to the use of College Preparatory courses for credit in the CCMR component of A–F state accountability. Specifically, the changes start in 2025-26 A-F ratings, and are:

1. Credit for approved College Preparatory courses only starting with 2026 graduates in 2027 Accountability: To ensure a consistent standard of course quality, TEA will begin a process to review and approve College Preparatory courses for the purpose of demonstrating college readiness in the public school accountability system. A rubric for course approval criteria is anticipated in late Spring 2024, followed by a call for applications in Fall 2024; a list of College Preparatory courses approved for public school accountability is anticipated to be released in Spring 2025. Starting with 2026 graduates, students must complete an approved course to be eligible for CCMR credit.
2. Credit for 12th grade College Preparatory courses only starting with 2026 graduates in 2027 Accountability: Because College Preparatory courses are statutorily required to be designed for 12th grade students, in the future, only students completing the College Preparatory course as  12th graders will be eligible for CCMR credit.  
   1. To accommodate a transition for 11th-grade students currently enrolled in College Preparatory courses, 2025 graduates will be eligible for CCMR credit with courses completed in 12th grade or 11th grade. 2026 graduates and future cohorts will only be eligible for CCMR credit with College Preparatory courses completed in the 12th grade.

The criteria for successful completion of a College Preparatory course are aligned between a school system and the partnering Institute of Higher Education (IHE). In accordance with TEC, §51.338(e), upon successful completion of a college prep course, students earn a Texas Success Initiative (TSI) exemption from the partnering institutions of higher education (IHEs) in that content area. Students should only be reported as successfully completing a course if they have met TSI exemption requirements.

The Texas Accountability Advisory Group (TAAG) and the ESC Accountability Group (EAG) provided feedback and discussion on these and other changes proposed in the 2024 accountability manual. The 2024 Accountability Development Page has been updated with their recommendations. 

For any questions about the proposed 2024 Accountability Manual, please contact the Performance Reporting Division at (512) 750-2816 or performance.reporting@tea.texas.gov. For any questions about Programs of Study, Industry-Based Certifications, the College Preparatory course approval process, or the College Preparatory completion requirements, please contact the College, Career, and Military Preparation Division at (512) 936-6060 or ccmp@tea.texas.gov.