Academics in Texas Public Schools: Guidance for Parents
Academic Standards
Students learn academic and social skills that they will carry into adulthood. The academics are guided by the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS), which are the state standards for what students should know and be able to do in each subject and grade level.
There are TEKS for the following subjects:
- English Language Arts and Reading
- Math
- Science
- Social Studies
- Languages Other Than English
- Health Education
- Physical Education (PE)
- Fine Arts
- Other Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (e.g., Character Traits)
- Technology Applications
- Career Development
- Spanish Language Arts and English as a Second Language (ESL)
- Career and Technical Education
Grades
In the state of Texas, each school or district can follow its own grading policy. Most schools in Texas use a letter grade and students may earn A, B, C, or F. In most Texas districts, the letter grades correspond with the following number grades. This may be slightly different in some schools or districts.
A = 90–100
B = 80–89
C = 70–79
F = 69 and below
Note: Grades may be taken in many different ways. It depends on the rules of the district, campus, or individual teacher. Contact your child’s teacher for more information. Once a class grade is averaged, it is reported to parents in a progress report (the unofficial or informal reporting of a grade) or a report card (the official reporting of a class grade).
Grading Periods
In Texas, the school year is divided into several grading periods. The grading period is usually six weeks or nine weeks long and ends with a report card that contains a grade average for each class. The calculation of averages starts over at the beginning of each grading period.
Progress Reports
Most schools or districts will keep parents informed about their student’s progress by sending home a progress report in the middle of the grading period, usually every four to six weeks. This report contains current class averages and other notes about how the student is doing in school. It is not a final grade but rather a preview of how the student is currently doing in class. It is important to contact your child’s teacher directly if you have questions about your child’s progress.
Report Cards
Report cards are sent home to parents approximately every six to nine weeks, at the end of the grading period. It includes final grades (averages) for each class, behavior/conduct notes, and attendance records for the grading period. The report card becomes a part of the student’s official school record.
The report card does not include a list of all of the assignments, quizzes, or tests your child completed during the grading period. Instead, it reports the average of all the grades. The report card grades are averaged each semester to determine the semester grade (one for the fall semester and one for the spring semester).
Eligibility/No Pass No Play
Texas districts are required to make sure that students are passing their classes before they are able to participate in any extracurricular sports, fine arts, or enrichment activities. Districts require that students earn a minimum passing score of 70 in each class in order to be considered “eligible” for these activities. Schools leaders review student grades throughout a six or nine week grading period to ensure that students involved in extracurricular activities are passing.
Frequently Asked Questions
In Texas, the state has standards that must be taught to every child each year. These standards are called the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS) and measure what a student should be able to do by the end of each school year. These standards include Reading and Language Arts, Math, Science, and Social Studies, and a foreign language for high school students. Each year, students in grades 3–12 will take the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) test to measure their mastery of the TEKS for their grade level.
Each school or district has its own grading policy. The grading period is usually six weeks or nine weeks long and ends with a report card that contains a grade average for each class. Most schools use the following scale with anything below 70 considered failing. If you are unsure about your school's grading policy, contact your child's teacher.
A = 90–100
B = 80–89
C = 70–79
F = 69 and below
Grades are usually shared two ways: progress reports and report cards.
Progress reports may be sent home every three to four weeks, in the middle of a grading period. The timing depends on the school’s grading period. These reports provide an opportunity for parents to learn about their child’s academic strengths or struggles, including any missing work that could be turned in. Progress reports include the current average of each class before final grades are posted.
Report cards are usually released every six to nine weeks, at the end of the grading period. The grades on the report card are final and will also appear on your child’s official school record (called a transcript). Schools may send the report card
- electronically,
- via email or other online communication system, or
- printed on paper
Grades on a report card reflect your child's mastery of the Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills (TEKS). They are one of several factors in deciding if a child will be promoted to the next grade level. Report card grades will appear on your child’s permanent school record (called a transcript). If a child receives a failing grade in a high school course, the course may need to be repeated or taken during summer school so the credit can be earned for graduation. Colleges and universities may also look at these grades when they consider accepting students to their programs.
No. In Texas, if your child receives a grade lower than 70 on their report card, they are considered “ineligible.” This means that your child may not participate in after-hours sports (examples: football team, basketball team) or extracurricular activities (examples: band, dance team, orchestra) until the grade improves. Many campuses may offer tutoring before or after school to help your child raise their grade. See the following links for more information on participation in extracurricular activities:
Texas Education Code:
https://texas.public.law/statutes/tex._educ._code_section_33.081#:~:text=The%20State%20Board%20of%20Education,without%20interruption
%20for%20extracurricular%20activities
TEA-UIL:
https://www.uiltexas.org/policy/tea-uil-side-by-side/academic-requirements
If you are concerned about your child’s progress, you may do one of the following:
- Ask to set up a meeting with the teacher to discuss different ways to support your child.
- Talk to your child’s teacher about language supports to increase English proficiency while also supporting your child’s native language.
- Talk to your child’s teacher about reading or math interventions or special education services.
Use our Guide to Understanding Who Works in Texas Public Schools to identify the best person to contact and select a conversation starter.
No, not necessarily. Factors that may affect promotion include attendance and maintaining passing grade averages in classes. Contact your child's teacher or ask your child's school office to provide you with the student attendance handbook.
Here is a list of the most common tests your child may take over the course of their school career.
| Test | Description |
|---|---|
| Class tests | Tests given by a teacher that count toward a student’s report card grade during a grading period. These tests usually cover content that the teacher taught in class and measures how well the student learned that content. |
| Class quizzes | A quick test that may be given by the teacher in class to gain a better understanding of a student’s level of mastery. It counts toward a student’s report card grade but not as much as a test. |
| Benchmark tests: Beginning of Year (BOY), Middle of Year (MOY), End of Year (EOY) | Tests that may be given at the beginning of the year (BOY), middle of year (MOY), and end of year (EOY) to determine a student’s growth throughout the school year. These tests are scored but do not count toward the report card grade. Teachers and schools use these tests to inform instruction. |
| Interim Tests Assessments | A test given by the teacher at different times during the school year. This test is not usually graded. Its purpose is to show whether a student understands the skills or concepts being taught. |
| State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) | STAAR is the state's testing program and is based on state curriculum standards in core subjects including reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies. STAAR tests are designed to measure what students are learning in each grade and whether they are ready for the next grade. |
| Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS) | The Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System is a test for English learners to measure English proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, and listening. |
| Home Language Survey Screener | A test that a student will take only once, at the time of their enrollment in a Texas school. This test helps the school understand your child’s level of English language proficiency. This is important because schools may need to provide additional support to students whose home language is other than English. |
For more information on grades, tests, or report cards, contact your child’s classroom teacher.
Talk with the teacher to discuss options. The school has a response to intervention program that they can include your child. The teacher will monitor your child's progress to determine next steps.
Schools test for Gifted and Talented services every year. Parents can discuss this option with the teacher to see if the child can be tested.
What kind of tests will my child have to take at school?
Here is a list of the most common tests your child may take over the course of their school career.
For more information on grades, tests, or report cards, contact your child’s classroom teacher.
Class Tests
Tests given by a teacher that count toward a student’s report card grade during a grading period. These tests usually cover content that the teacher taught in class and measures how well the student learned that content.
Class Quizzes
A quick test that may be given by the teacher in class to gain a better understanding of a student’s level of mastery. It counts toward a student’s report card grade but not as much as a test.
Benchmark Tests:(BOY), (MOY), (EOY)
Tests that may be given at the beginning of the year (BOY), middle of year (MOY), and end of year (EOY) to determine a student’s growth throughout the school year. These tests are scored but do not count toward the report card grade. Teachers and schools use these tests to inform instruction.
What kind of tests will my child have to take at school?
Here is a list of the most common tests your child may take over the course of their school career.
For more information on grades, tests, or report cards, contact your child’s classroom teacher.
Interim Tests Assessments
A test given by the teacher at different times during the school year. This test is not usually graded. Its purpose is to show whether a student understands the skills or concepts being taught.
Home Language Survey Screener
A test that a student will take only once, at the time of their enrollment in a Texas school. This test helps the school understand your child’s level of English language proficiency. This is important because schools may need to provide additional support to students whose home language is other than English.
Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System (TELPAS)
The Texas English Language Proficiency Assessment System is a test for English learners to measure English proficiency in speaking, reading, writing, and listening.
State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR)
STAAR is the state's testing program and is based on state curriculum standards in core subjects including reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies. STAAR tests are designed to measure what students are learning in each grade and whether they are ready for the next grade.