Alief Independent School District has once again demonstrated its excellence in financial stewardship by receiving the highest possible rating—Superior Achievement with a perfect 100-point score—in the 2024–25 Schools FIRST (Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas) evaluation. This recognition, issued annually by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), serves as a gold standard in measuring school districts’ financial management and accountability across the state. For Alief ISD, the rating affirms a long tradition of fiscal discipline and transparency that has earned the confidence of its community and stakeholders for decades.
The Schools FIRST program was established by the Texas Legislature in 2001 to ensure that school districts in the state are held accountable not only for student achievement but also for the effective use of public funds. Districts are evaluated annually using a comprehensive scoring system that considers a wide range of indicators, including external audit results, financial solvency, fund balance health, debt management, administrative cost ratios, and compliance with state and federal financial requirements.
Scoring in the system ranges from “Superior Achievement” at the top, to “Above Standard,” “Meets Standard,” and “Substandard Achievement.” A district that earns a perfect score demonstrates outstanding fiscal health and efficiency, as well as a consistent commitment to ensuring that taxpayer dollars are spent responsibly and in ways that benefit students. “Achieving a Schools FIRST rating of superior is extremely important because it demonstrates that the district has been managing financial resources in a consistent and stable manner.", says Deputy Superintendent Charles Woods. “It takes everyone working together to follow rules, policies and law to procure goods and services and pay over 6,000 employees for an entire year while maintaining resources like funding in such a way that indicates stability.”
For Alief ISD, the 2024–25 rating is more than a one-time success—it reflects a longstanding track record of fiscal responsibility. The district has earned the top Schools FIRST rating every year since the program began, spanning more than two decades of consistent recognition. Each year, new compliance standards and financial indicators are added or adjusted, but Alief ISD has adapted and maintained excellence without exception.
By earning a perfect 100-point score, Alief ISD signals to families, employees, and the wider community that it is not only capable of managing today’s financial challenges but also well-positioned to meet future needs.
District leaders have noted that strong fiscal management provides the foundation needed to pursue ambitious academic goals. Without financial instability draining resources or causing disruption, administrators and educators can focus more fully on curriculum, instructional support, and closing achievement gaps. In this way, the Schools FIRST “Superior Achievement” rating is not simply a feather in the district’s cap, but a vital tool for building a stronger academic future.
As the 2024–25 school year progresses, Alief ISD’s financial leadership will remain an essential component of its broader strategy for growth and improvement. The district’s ability to maintain such high standards of fiscal accountability during times of statewide funding pressures, economic shifts, and increasing demands on public education is a testament to both its leadership and its staff.
Community members can take pride in knowing that their district continues to uphold a tradition of fiscal integrity that few others can match. The combination of a perfect 100-point Schools FIRST rating and decades of recognition from ASBO International reflects not only compliance with state requirements but also a deep, institutional commitment to excellence.
Alief ISD’s perfect 100-point Superior Achievement rating in the preliminary 2024–25 Schools FIRST evaluation is a powerful reminder that public schools can be both fiscally responsible and community-driven. For more than two decades, the district has maintained the highest standards of financial integrity, earning recognition at both the state and national levels. While academic outcomes remain an area for continued growth, the district’s strong fiscal foundation ensures that resources are available to support student learning, staff development, and innovative programs well into the future. By consistently earning the trust of its community through responsible stewardship, Alief ISD is not only safeguarding taxpayer investments but also laying the groundwork for lasting educational success.