texas

House School Letter Grade System Differs from Senate Version

The Texas House has voted to issue A through F grades to rate public schools' academic performance -- but its plan features far different criteria than a similar, Senate-approved proposal.

The plan passed late Thursday would distribute letter grades based on student and school performance, and parent engagement.

Students are evaluated using standardized testing and any academic improvement they demonstrate, and schools on graduation rates.

Active parents, meanwhile, can bolster schools' grades.

The Senate version relies more heavily on student testing and teacher evaluation scores. A compromise will likely be needed if a school-grade plan is to clear the Legislature.

Texas already has approved a letter-grade system for school districts, but not individual schools.

Supporters say grades are easy to understand. Opponents argue that attending an F-rated school stigmatizes students.

Copyright AP - Associated Press
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