Texas 2036 said the state’s newly released 2026 A-F accountability ratings show continued academic progress in Texas public schools, particularly at campuses serving large shares of low-income students. The nonpartisan policy organization issued its analysis Aug. 14, the same day the Texas Education Agency published the ratings.
According to Texas 2036, 61 percent of the state’s roughly 9,000 public school campuses earned an A or B rating this year, up from 59 percent in 2025. The organization said 396 campuses where at least 80 percent of students are economically disadvantaged earned an A rating, and that 585 campuses moved from below an A in 2025 to an A in 2026. The group described the statewide results as relatively stable compared with last year, without the large swings seen in some earlier rating cycles.
“From Perryton to Port Aransas, every student in Texas deserves access to a great public education. Without an accountability system, Texas would have no consistent and fair way to ensure that,” said Mary Lynn Pruneda, director for education and workforce policy at Texas 2036. “Today’s ratings are a critical signal to Texas parents on how well their student’s school is performing. They tell us if students are able to read and do math, and whether or not they’re prepared for life after high school.”
The organization noted that the state’s system evaluates campuses, districts and charter systems on student achievement, school progress and how well schools close achievement gaps, with high schools and systems also measured on how well they prepare graduates for college, a career or the military. Among the high-poverty campuses earning an A this year, Texas 2036 cited Dovalina Elementary in Laredo ISD, Goodrich High School in Goodrich ISD, Tool Elementary in Malakoff ISD and Valley View South Elementary in Valley View ISD.
Texas 2036 also flagged where it believes work remains. The share of campuses receiving an F fell from 5 percent in 2025 to 4 percent in 2026, the group said, but some of the state’s lowest-performing campuses continue to struggle year after year.
“Tracking school performance over time is one of the strongest tools Texas has for improving public education,” said Carlo Castillo, senior research analyst at Texas 2036. “The state’s accountability system gives school system leaders the information they need to identify what’s working and what isn’t inside their own schools.”
The organization pointed to House Bill 2, the Legislature’s $8.5 billion school finance and education package, which it said directs funding to chronically struggling campuses, funds private tutoring and supports intervention programs for students who repeatedly fall behind.