Preliminary 2026 A-F Release Roadmap

As we prepare for the upcoming 2026 A-F Accountability cycle, we want to provide you with a high-level roadmap of how the reporting features are projected to roll out.

Barring unexpected changes to data file structures from the state, our 2026 release cycle will mirror the phased rollout utilized successfully last year. Because each domain builds upon specific data sets, features will become active sequentially as the necessary source files are uploaded.

Below is our target phased timeline to help your team plan its data validation and local tracking efforts:

Phase 1: Ingestion, Foundation Clean-Up & Science Baseline Mapping

Target Window: Early to Mid-June

Action Item: Focus shifts heavily to data ingestion. Districts should prioritize getting all available current-year files uploaded into the system. Monitor your Domain File Status dashboard closely to ensure all required items are clear of errors. Utilize associated companion reports to review uploaded data to confirm the data contents were uploaded successfully and without errors.
Important System Note: Please anticipate that Phase 1 may take slightly longer this year due to necessary background logic adjustments for Science calculations. Because TEA is not releasing finalized 2026 Science cut points until mid-summer, early results will only provide broad labels (e.g., Zone of Uncertainty) rather than precise performance levels. To provide you with a stable, actionable baseline in the interim, our system will incorporate 2024–2025 data for the Science section of Domain 1. This ensures your initial dashboards are built on reliable, stable metrics while the state redesign finalizes.

Phase 2: Domain 1 Early Release & CCMR Ingestion

Target Window: Mid-June

Action Item: Initial Domain 1 (Student Achievement) calculation views become active based on available preliminary STAAR, EOC, and preliminary CCMR data.
Validation Goal: Teams can begin auditing raw performance targets and importing early TEA CCMR Verifier files as they emerge.

Phase 3: Domain 2 Growth & Domain 3 Integration

Target Window: Late June to Early July

Action Item: Once year-over-year matched student scale scores and final enrollment lists are fully processed, Domain 2 (School Progress) calculations will phase in.
Validation Goal: Closely following the Domain 2 rollout (typically within the same week), Domain 3 (Closing the Gaps) and sub-population matrix views will become active.

Phase 4: Overall Summary & System Finalization

Target Window: Mid-July to Early August

Action Item: The Overall Summary dashboard goes live, applying complex system rules (such as proportional weighting, special campus rules for AEA/DRS, and the “3F/3D maximum cap” logic).
Validation Goal: Final district-wide simulation models are locked down, allowing teams to export comprehensive summary reports to Excel for leadership reviews.

⚠️ A Note on Dependencies

Please keep in mind that this timeline is entirely dependent on the timely release of clean data files from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the stability of their file layouts. If format changes or state-level adjustments occur—including changes to how the “Zone of Uncertainty” data is delivered—we will pivot our development sprints accordingly and notify you immediately of any adjusted target windows.

We look forward to partnering with your district for a smooth, successful 2026 accountability season!