AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — The Texas Education Agency is releasing ratings for schools and districts using a new accountability system.

The agency is scheduled to let parents know if their schools met state standards on Thursday afternoon.

Education Commissioner Michael Williams scrapped the old system that relied on standardized test scores and gave rankings from exemplary down to academically unacceptable.

The new accountability system uses test scores, graduation rates and college admission exams to calculate indexes for student achievement, student progress, student readiness for college or work and how well a school is helping disadvantaged children.

Individual schools can earn distinctions for student improvement, English language skills and mathematics.

Williams says the new system is fairer to schools struggling to help kids who need extra help, while maintaining a state standard.

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