Proposed Accountability System Manual for 2027

The purpose of this communication is to inform school districts and open-enrollment charter schools about the publication of the proposed A–F Accountability Rating System Manual for 2027 accountability ratings.

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.  

In the 2022–23 school year, the A–F system was refreshed, and improvements were made to cut points, domain and indicator methodology, and the overall system. 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, allowing for better year-over-year performance comparisons.

2027 A–F Ratings Methodology Previously Adopted

The previously adopted A–F Accountability System Manual included early communication of changes that would impact future accountability cycles to ensure the manual would remain relevant for multiple cycles. The following rules for the 2027 accountability year that have been previously adopted include the following:

• Programs of Study and Industry-Based Certification (IBC) Alignment: College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) credit will be earned in 2027 accountability for successfully earning an approved IBC from either the 2022-25 list (with sunsetting limit) or the 2025-30 list, with CTE Completer status in an aligned program of study.
• College Preparatory Course Requirements: College, Career, and Military Readiness (CCMR) credit will be earned in 2027 accountability for those courses meeting requirements aligned between districts and the partnering IHEs taken by students who were in their 12th grade year. 

2027 A–F Ratings Manual Updates

There are no changes to cut points, domain and indicator methodology, or to the overall accountability system. Two minor updates related to the A–F Accountability Rating System for 2027 include: 

• Related to A–F appeals: A granted Closing the Gaps appeal can update comprehensive, targeted, or additional targeted support intervention federal identifications.
• Related to campus number requests: In alignment with anticipated changes to 19 Texas Administrative Code §97.1066, the campus request deadline in the 2027 Accountability Rating System Manual has been moved from September 1 to May 31.  

Rulemaking and Public Comment

The proposed A–F Accountability System Manual for 2027 ratings has been published on the 2027 Accountability Manual webpage. The proposed rule will be published in the Texas Register on December 12, 2025, followed by a 30-day period to gather public comments. Details on the public comment period and how to submit comments are available on the Proposed Commissioner of Education Rules webpage. Additional explanatory materials and resources, including Proposed 2027 Manual Updates documentation, are available on the 2027 Accountability Rating System webpage.

For Further Information

If you have questions about academic accountability, please contact the Performance Reporting Division at (512) 463-9704 or performance.reporting@tea.texas.gov.