Texas Commissioner of Education Michael Williams outlined the framework for a new accountability system for public schools earlier today. Set to be implemented this August, the new system was designed to address the over reliance of the current system on student scores on standardized tests. The new system will still rely on student assessments, but will include additional indicators to gauge school performance, including student progress, closing performance gaps and post-secondary readiness. School districts, campuses and charter schools will receive one of three designations based on those indicators:

• Met Standard.
• Met Alternative Standard.
• Improvement Required.

Distinction designations will also be assigned for:

• Top 25 Percent Student Progress.
• Academic Achievement in Reading/English/Language Arts.
• Academic Achievement in Mathematics.

Williams also said that the Texas Education Agency is working on using these standards to develop an A–F grading system as well. Here is detailed information on the new system.