Public Reporting Requirements for Districts and Campuses

Guidance for School Report Cards, Federal Report Cards, and TAPR Requirements 

Summary of Posting Requirements 

Following the release of annual accountability ratings, federal and state laws require local education agencies (LEAs) and campuses to publicly distribute and post specific performance data. This guide consolidates Texas Education Code (TEC) and federal requirements to help district and school leaders ensure compliance. For additional information, refer to TEC §§39.306, 39.361, and 39.362; 19 TAC §61.1022; and ESEA §1111(h) (ESSA), which establish annual reporting, public posting, parent notification, and Federal Report Card requirements. 

The following table outlines a summary of the three reporting categories that districts must publicly share, School Report Cards, Federal Report Cards, and Texas Academic Performance Reports (TAPR). Requirements will vary by report type and may include website posting, parent notification, public distribution, and board reporting.

Table scrolls horizontally on small screens.

 

School Report Card (SRC) 
and Ratings Information

Federal Report Card (FRC)

Texas Academic Performance Report (TAPR)
Report Access and Availability
  • FRCs available in December via the FRC web page (Required only for LEAs that receive Title I, Part A funding)
  • TAPRs available in December via the TAPR web page
Information Required for Public Reporting
  • Most recent SRC for each campus
  • Current campus rating
  • District performance rating
  • District accreditation status
  • Explanation of ratings
  • Distinction designations (if applicable)
  • Identification as an unacceptable campus (if applicable)
  • State, district, and campus-level Federal Report Cards
  • Information about report availability and how to obtain the reports
  • Most recent TAPR (TEA PDF)
Required 
Actions, 
Postings, and Distributions

Post on the District Website:

  • Most recent SRC for each campus
  • Current campus ratings
    • Updated campus ratings, if applicable, following an appeal determination
  • District performance rating
  • District accreditation status
  • Explanation of ratings
  • Distinction designations

Distribute to parents/guardians:

  • Campus SRCs
  • With the first written student performance notice, inform parents/guardians whether the campus earned a distinction designation or was identified as an unacceptable campus, and provide information explaining the campus rating

Post on District Website:

  • Direct links to state, district, and campus FRCs
    • Each LEA must have the FRCs posted on its website for a minimum of 3 years

Provide Public Access:

  • Notify parents/guardians of report availability and how to obtain reports
  • Make reports readily accessible to the public
  • Make hard copies available to parents/guardians upon request and available for viewing in public locations
  • Provide report information, to the extent practicable, in a language parents can understand, including translation or oral interpretation services as needed

Post on District Website:

  • Most recent TAPR  

Board of Trustees Action:

  • Hold a Board of Trustees public hearing to discuss the district annual report, including the TAPR. See the TAPR guidelines for details. 

Public Distribution:

  • Widely publish the district annual report (including the TAPR) within two weeks following the public hearing
     
Required Timing
  • District website posting of the most recent SRC: by the 10th instructional day of each school year
  • Parent/guardian distribution of SRC: within six weeks of TEA notification that SRCs are available
  • Parent/guardian rating notification: with the first written notice of student performance sent during the school year
  • Parent/guardian notification of report availability: within 90 days of TEA notification that Federal Report Cards are available (per annual TEA guidance)
  • District website posting and public dissemination: upon report availability in accordance with federal requirements
  • District website posting of the most recent TAPR: by the 10th instructional day of each school year
  • Hold Board of Trustees public hearing: within 90 calendar days of receiving the PDF TAPR (winter break days do not count)
  • Annual report publication: within two weeks following the public hearing
Format and Delivery
  • Website posting may be provided as a direct web page, link, or accessible PDF
  • SRCs may be distributed through student folders, mail, parent-teacher conferences, or electronic delivery
  • If distributed electronically:
  • Parents/guardians must be notified that the report is available
  • Parents/guardians must be able to access it
  • Printed copies must be provided to individuals who cannot access the electronic version
  • Post direct website links
  • Notify parents/guardians of report availability and delivery options
  • Provide written or oral translations upon request
  • Provide hard copies upon request
  • District websites must meet WCAG 2.1 Level AA and ADA Title II accessibility requirements. TEA-generated FRC web pages are accessible; districts are responsible for ensuring any locally posted PDFs or report information are also accessible
  • Publish the annual report in the exact PDF format received from TEA
  • Discuss TAPR during public hearing
  • Refer to the TAPR Guidelines for assistance meeting publication requirements
TEA Resources and Communication Tools
  • Optional sample parent notification letter for parents/guardians (English and Spanish)
  • FRC web page
  • TAPR Guidelines to support annual report and public hearing requirements
  • TAPR web page and report resources

Frequently Asked Questions

  • A: No. The TAPR is one component of the district annual report required by TEC §39.306. The district annual report includes the TAPR and other information required by statute. District boards of trustees must hold a public hearing to discuss the district annual report, including the TAPR. 

  • A: Districts must post:  

    • The most recent TAPR for the district 
    • The most recent SRC for each campus 
    • Current accountability ratings 
    • Current distinction designations 
    • District accreditation status 
    • District performance rating  
    • An explanation of the accountability ratings

  • A: This is the 10th school day, or actual instructional day. It does not include weekends, holidays, or other non-instructional days. 

  • A:  FRCs are required to remain on website for a minimum of 3 years, other reports should be updated as new versions become available.

  • A:  For a translated version of the FRC report, use the Google Translate function by following these instructions.

  • A: Yes. TEA provides several optional resources to help communicate accountability and performance information, including the TXschools.gov Communications Toolkit, a sample School Report Card (SRC) cover letter in English and Spanish, and a sample Federal Report Card parent notification letter in English and Spanish. Districts and campuses may customize these resources to meet local needs. 

  • A: Federal Report Card requirements apply to LEAs that receive Title I, Part A funding. These LEAs are responsible for disseminating state-, district-, and campus-level Federal Report Cards to campuses, parents of enrolled students, and the general public, including posting direct links to the reports on the district's website. 

Questions?

For questions regarding accountability ratings, School Report Cards (SRCs), Federal Report Cards (FRCs), Texas Academic Performance Reports (TAPR), or public posting requirements, contact the Performance Reporting Division Help Desk. 

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