Today, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) released 2013-14 accreditation statuses for school districts and charters across the state. Accreditation statuses are based on state academic accountability ratings, the Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (known commonly as School FIRST), data reporting, special program effectiveness, and compliance with statutory and regulatory requirements. Under state law, the commissioner of education annually assigns one of four accreditation statuses to each school district or charter. Below is an explanation of each status along with a breakdown of the number of districts or charters assigned that particular status for 2013-14:

• Accredited. Of Texas' 1,222 school districts and charters, 96 percent are designated as Accredited for the 2013-14 school year, reflecting that they have met specific academic and financial standards. Accredited status applies to a total of 1,176 districts or charters.
• Accredited-Warned. 13 districts and 17 charter schools have been assigned this designation. An Accredited-Warned status means a district or charter exhibits deficiencies in academic and/or financial performance that, if not addressed, could lead to probation or revocation of its accreditation status.
• Accredited-Probation. Three school districts—Trinity, La Marque and Brooksmith ISDs—received an Accredited-Probation accreditation status this year. This means that a district or charter school has exhibited deficiencies in academic and/or financial performance over a three-year period that must be addressed to avoid revocation of its accreditation status.
• Not Accredited-Revoked. Jonesboro ISD, Rio Vista ISD and the Varnett Public School (a charter school) have received Not Accredited-Revoked status for the 2013-14 school year. This means that TEA does not recognize the district or charter as a Texas public school following multiple years of deficiencies in academic and/or financial performance. Those assigned an initial Not Accredited-Revoked status will have the opportunity for further review by TEA and the State Office of Administrative Hearings.
• Pending. The accreditation statuses of Beaumont ISD and nine charter schools have been left pending due to revocation hearings currently under way, ongoing TEA investigations and/or pending litigation.