Board of Education is changing the letter grade system for Arizona public schools

September 10, 2026 - 04:51

The Arizona Board of Education is moving forward with a plan to overhaul the A-F letter grade system used for public schools across the state. The proposed changes are meant to give parents and communities a clearer picture of how schools are actually performing, moving beyond a single letter that many feel oversimplifies complex issues.

Under the new framework, the board is looking to place more weight on student growth over time, rather than just raw test scores. That means a school with students who are improving, even if they start below grade level, could see a better grade than before. The plan also includes new measures for how schools support English learners and how they prepare students for life after graduation, whether that is college, trade school, or the workforce.

The current system has been criticized for years. Many educators argue that a single letter grade punishes schools in low-income areas, where students face challenges outside the classroom that affect test performance. Others say the grades are too heavily tied to one day of testing and do not reflect the full scope of what happens in a school building.

The board has held several public hearings, and the feedback has been mixed. Some parents worry that changing the formula will make it harder to compare schools side by side. Teachers and administrators, on the other hand, are mostly in favor of a more balanced approach.

A final vote on the new grading rules is expected later this fall. If approved, the changes would take effect starting with the 2025-2026 school year, giving districts time to adjust. Until then, the board says it will continue to refine the details and listen to input from all sides.