For the first time in years, Texas parents finally have access to the truth about how their schools are performing. After years of legal challenges and strategic delays by the very school districts that were being graded, the Texas Education Agency has released long-overdue school accountability ratings. This is more than just a policy update—it’s a win for every family that’s been kept in the dark for years.
Let’s be clear: in the words of Senator Paul Bettencourt: “What gets measured, gets fixed.”
That’s the foundation of a strong accountability system, and it’s exactly why Texas implemented the A–F rating model. These ratings give parents, educators, and lawmakers a clear, simple way to understand how schools are doing where it matters most: making sure students can read, write, and do math on grade level and ensuring graduates are prepared for life after high school.
If students are struggling in core subjects or schools are failing to prepare them for college, a career, or military service, the accountability system should reflect that. Without this information we’re flying blind—unable to identify where support is needed—whether progress is being made and what changes need to occur.
Some transparency opponents argue that accountability should include “broader metrics” to capture the so-called full impact of education. These other metrics or “indicators” as they call them would like to include in the ratings system include extra-curricular activities and school clubs. But what they’re really saying is this: let’s blur the focus and hide the results. Let’s move the goalposts. Let’s make it significantly harder for parents to know whether their children are actually learning the basics: reading, math, history and science. That’s not accountability, it’s distraction. And it protects institutions, not students.
That’s why Senate Bill 1962 by Senator Bettencourt is so timely and so important. The public should not have to endure years of lawfare in order to get the transparency they are guaranteed by law. Lawmakers have a unique opportunity to ensure the accountability system is completely transparent to parents and strengthened by not allowing more indicators to water down transparency, and maybe best of all, to replace our state test—the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR—with shorter exams to give parents full transparency throughout the year into how their child is doing.
SB 1962 doesn’t just preserve the integrity of the A–F system—it makes it better. It raises the bar without sacrificing the transparency and rigor that families, taxpayers, and students deserve.
One of the most transformative elements of SB 1962 is its replacement of the STAAR exam. Instead of a single high-stakes test, the bill proposes shorter, more frequent assessments throughout the year. This means parents get more timely, meaningful updates on how their children are doing. Teachers can adjust instruction earlier. Students are supported sooner. And the system becomes smarter, not more stressful.
Even more important, SB 1962 brings accountability in line with what actually matters after high school. Graduation alone isn’t enough—we have to ask, “Are students ready for what comes next?” Whether it’s college, a career, or military service, Texas students deserve a system that prepares them for the real world—not just a diploma.
SB 1962 isn’t just smart policy—it’s the right thing to do. Parents deserve honest answers about their children’s schools. Teachers deserve clear expectations. And students deserve a system focused on real learning and real outcomes.
SB 1962 is a well-crafted, forward-thinking step toward restoring trust in public education. Attempts by taxpayer funded lobbyists, unions and associations to dilute this policy by adding vague, feel-good indicators that don’t reflect academic performance only serve the system—not the student.
The time for obfuscation is over. The time for excuses is done. Texas families are watching. Lawmakers should reject attempts to hide student performance, stand strong for full transparency and support this policy. Give parents the truth they’ve waited far too long to see. Let’s put students first—and keep the system honest.