The TEA released school “work-in-progress” scores this month on their new A-F rating system. McKinney High school received a B, two D’s and a C in various categories. The TEA’s only measure for these grades were the STAAR test results.

This is not an effective way to measure schools.

This grade doesn’t take into account our diversity, school environment, student involvement or great teachers. Such a rating system turns public schools into a business. Classes that have a STAAR test already prepare for it most of the year, just to get those high scores.

In the scores the TEA released, the more affluent schools scored higher and there is a direct correlation between income level and scores. Keep in mind, this system is put in place by the same Texas lawmakers that want to approve school vouchers, a way for government money to go towards tuition fees at a school other than the public school that a student could attend for free.

Drawing attention to “low performing” schools could potentially provide evidence to push this agenda, rather than provide more financial support to communities that need better public schools.

One of the reasons this new system was put in place was so parents could see a school rating score on a scale they are familiar with. Students have been graded on an A-F scale since sixth grade. Any parents concerned with our rating wouldn’t want their own child to pass or fail based on a score from one test.

Maybe someone from the TEA should actually spend a day at the schools they rate. And while a rating system is necessary for public schools, this one can’t stay.
This rating system gets an F.