School accountability grades are returning, and it’s about time. These grades, unused since the 2020-21 school year, are set to make a comeback, according to state officials. While the A-F grading system faced significant criticism the last time it was implemented, it’s clear that accountability is necessary.

The public heavily criticized the previous version of these grades. Many questioned how the grades were calculated or whether they should even exist at all. Some of these concerns were valid. However, as someone who has experienced public schools as a student, teacher, and now a parent, I believe it’s critical to have a way to identify which schools are doing right by children. No system will ever be perfect, and I welcome debates about what it should look like, but we still need one in place.

As an inner-city teacher, I saw firsthand how hard staff worked in struggling schools, often just as hard as those in high-performing schools. But as a parent, that context doesn’t matter to me. I want my daughter to have the best chance at a quality education, and if there’s an A-rated school nearby, I’m sending her there. I’m well aware that there are all kinds of obstacles that may not be calculated in the bottom line, but when it comes to where I send my kids, I am results-oriented. In a state like Indiana, which continues to lean into school choice, there must be a reliable way to measure quality, so families have the information they need to make the right choice. Accountability grades aren’t perfect. No marketplace has a perfect review system. But consumers are far worse off without them.

For those concerned about how the grades will be calculated, significant thought has gone into refining the system. You can read more here about the changes and share your thoughts, but one thing is certain: accountability grades are coming back, and we need them.