In 2006, the Texas Legislature passed House Bill 1 (HB 1) to strengthen accountability for public schools across the state. This law updated the Texas Education Code and made important changes to how school districts are monitored and accredited.
As part of these changes, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) established clear rules for how school districts earn and maintain their accreditation status. Accreditation is a way of showing whether a district is meeting the state’s academic, financial, and operational standards. Under these rules, districts are assigned one of four accreditation statuses:
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Accredited – The district is meeting state standards.
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Accredited-Warned – The district has areas that need improvement.
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Accredited-Probation – The district has more serious concerns that must be corrected.
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Not Accredited-Revoked – The district has not met required standards, and accreditation has been removed.
The rules also outline the steps the state may take if a district is not meeting expectations. These steps can include required improvement plans, increased oversight, or other interventions to help ensure students receive a high-quality education. These accountability measures are designed to provide transparency, protect students, and support continuous improvement in Texas public schools.