Differences in Campus Ratings by School Level in Texas Public Schools: A Multiyear, Statewide Analysis

In this research investigation, the degree to which differences were present in campus accountability ratings (i.e., Met Standard, Met Alternative Standard, and Improvement Required) by school level (i.e., elementary, middle, and high school) was addressed. Using archival data from the Texas Academic Performance Reports for the 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 school years, inferential statistical analyses yielded the presence of statistically significant differences at all three school levels. Middle schools had statistically significantly higher percentages of Improvement Required schools than both elementary schools and high schools. Elementary schools had statistically significantly higher percentages of Met Standard schools than both middle schools and high schools. These results were commensurate in both school years. Implications of these findings and suggestions for future research are provided.

Keywords: campus ratings, accountability, school levels, elementary, middle school, high school, Texas.