What’s the best way for parents and caregivers in Texas to research the quality of public schools, including charter schools? Unfortunately, the simplest measure of school quality, the A–F ratings on txschools.gov, haven’t been updated since 2022, due to litigation from school districts that don’t want us to see the grades. The next best thing is to look at Texas Academic Performance Reports (TAPR). This guide will help you look at key points in the TAPR reports to make judgments about school quality.
Looking Up TAPR Reports
The most recent reports available are from the 2022–2023 school year, and were published in late 2023.
As an example, let’s look at the School of Science and Technology—San Antonio College Prep High School. The 2023 TAPR report is 29 pages long—much longer than a school report card. The challenge with reading TAPR reports for the non-expert is that the amount of data feels overwhelming. There are charts full of numbers, and the rows and columns are labeled with acronyms.
A good starting point is to look at summary data. For example, on page 6, there are percentages for STAAR performance, breaking out how many students approached grade level, met grade level, etc. (as explained more in our guide to STAAR report cards). At SST–SA, 88 percent of students scored at approaches grade level or above in 2023, an increase over 2022.
Through the same portal, you can look up the TAPR report for the entire district; here is one of the 2023 TAPR reports for SST.
Making Comparisons
Another way to approach school quality is to make comparisons between different campuses or districts.
Advocating for Accountability
It’s frustrating that, once again, parents and caregivers are not getting access to up-to-date school report cards. Compared to TAPR reports, the A–F ratings system is much easier to use. Parents and caregivers can speak up about the need for data about school quality. If the school districts that filed the lawsuits would drop their opposition to school accountability, then the public would once again have access to A–F ratings and up-to-date school report cards.
Read More About School Quality
- “Texas Education Agency’s 2023–2024 School Ratings ‘Refresh’ Temporarily Blocked by Judge,” Cameron Abrams, Texan News, August 13, 2024
- “TEA’s school ratings will be delayed, again, after judge blocks agency from releasing revamped scores,” Edward McKinley and Megan Menchaca, August 12, 2024
- “Judge blocks Texas from releasing this year’s school accountability ratings,” Sneha Day, Texas Tribune, August 12, 2024
- “Judge temporarily blocks Texas Education Agency from releasing A-F accountability ratings again,” Camille Phillips, Texas Public Radio, August 12, 2024
- “Step-by-Step Instructions for STAAR Report Cards and Resources,” Inga Cotton, San Antonio Charter Moms, June 11, 2024
- “Improve Your Children’s Learning With Insights From STAAR Test Scores,” Inga Cotton, San Antonio Charter Moms, June 9, 2024
