Austin ISD CBE — Parent Guide: 90% Passing Bar, Grades 6-12, Campus Counselor Approval (2026-2027)
Austin ISD (AISD) is Central Texas's flagship urban district — home to Anderson HS, Akins HS, Austin HS, Bowie HS, Crockett HS, LBJ HS, McCallum HS, Navarro HS, Northeast HS, Reagan HS, Travis HS, and specialty campuses like LASA (Liberal Arts and Science Academy). AISD has a strict CBE program with a higher passing bar than the state minimum.
This is an independent guide. Texas CBE™ is not affiliated with AISD. Confirm specifics with your campus counselor.
Austin ISD's CBE — the essentials
| Aspect | AISD rule |
|---|---|
| Eligible grades | Grades 6-12 |
| Passing bar | 90 or above — significantly higher than the Texas state minimum of 80% for acceleration |
| Prior instruction rule | CBE is for students seeking credit for a course in which they have had no prior instruction. This is the acceleration case. |
| Approval | Requires campus counselor approval before scheduling |
| Registration | Through the campus Secondary Student Information & Grading (SSIG) office |
| Comprehensive HS campuses | Anderson, Akins, Austin, Bowie, Crockett, LBJ, McCallum, Navarro, Northeast, Reagan, Travis, LASA |
The 90% bar — why it matters
Texas Education Code §28.023 sets the state minimum at 80% for CBE acceleration. AISD's 90% bar is stricter. That means:
- You should prepare with a target higher than you would for most Texas districts.
- A 79-89% score won't accelerate you at AISD, even though it would in Frisco/Katy/Fort Bend.
- Full-length timed mocks matter more here than in 80%-bar districts.
How AISD families typically use CBE
- Algebra 1 acceleration between 8th and 9th grade.
- Geometry acceleration between 9th and 10th grade.
- Foreign-language CBE — Austin's Spanish-heritage, Vietnamese-heritage, Korean-heritage, and Chinese-heritage populations use this.
- Social-studies acceleration (World Geography, World History, U.S. History).
- LASA / magnet track acceleration — students targeting LASA benefit from CBE-earned advanced placement.
What Texas CBE™ offers Austin ISD families
- TEKS-aligned practice with full-length timed mocks — designed for the 90% target, not just 80%.
- 5-language platform — English, Korean, Spanish, Vietnamese, Chinese.
- Free sample questions, no signup required.
- Full-course access $19.99 per subject for 6 months.
Three things to verify with your AISD counselor
- Confirm the current 90% bar still applies to your subject (some subjects may have specific rules).
- Current 2026-2027 testing window and registration deadline.
- Placement effect at your comprehensive HS — the counselor confirms which course-level your student enters after passing.
Related guides
- Eanes ISD (Westlake) CBE — Parent Guide
- Round Rock ISD CBE — Parent Guide
- Leander ISD Exam for Acceleration — Parent Guide
- Pflugerville ISD CBE — Parent Guide
- CBE vs STAAR — parent decision guide
Sources
- Austin ISD — Acceleration (Advanced Academics).
- Austin ISD — Secondary Student Information & Grading (SSIG).
- Austin ISD — HS Course Catalog.
- Texas Education Code §28.023.
- 19 TAC §74.24.
General guidance based on publicly available information. Confirm current rules with your campus counselor.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the passing score for an Austin ISD CBE?
90 or above — significantly higher than the Texas state minimum of 80% for CBE acceleration. Austin ISD sets a stricter bar than most Texas districts.
Which grades can take a CBE at Austin ISD?
Grades 6-12. Students seek credit for a course in which they have had no prior instruction — this is the acceleration case.
How do I register my AISD student for a CBE?
Contact your campus counselor for approval, then register through the Secondary Student Information & Grading (SSIG) office.
Why is Austin ISD's passing bar higher than the state minimum?
AISD is one of several Texas districts (including Eanes/Westlake and some UTHS-linked schools) that set a stricter passing bar than the state statute's 80% minimum. It reflects the district's higher expectations for credit acceleration.
Sources