Parents React to School Ratings

TYLER - The number of Texas school districts rated by the state as "academically unacceptable" has increased to its highest level ever.

This news is causing many parents to worry.

Though the first bell of the new school year hasn't rung quit yet, school districts across the state have already received their first report card.

For many districts the grade isn't an "A" its an A.U. or academically unacceptable.

It's the lowest ranking a district can receive, and the number of these grades handed out this year has reached an all time high.

According to the Texas Education Commissioner Robert Scott schools are rated based on student performance on both the TAKS test and a standardized test for special education students.

Completion rates as well as dropout rates, which are also at an all-time high, are also factored in.

For moms like Melissa Ewing the news is worrisome.

The mother of two says for right now her kids aren't affected because they attend a good school, but what concerns her is what will happen once they have to switch schools.

"We're not going to be there forever," Ms. Ewing says.

Just like most anything else, there is some good news to help ease parents' minds.

The news standards also led to an increase in the number of schools ranked "exemplary".