Overview
- The Texas Education Agency released preliminary A–F ratings for 1,202 districts and 9,105 campuses on Friday, reporting that about 24% of districts and campuses improved and that 85% earned a C or higher.
- Burnet and Webb middle schools in Austin ISD received their fifth consecutive F, a result that by law requires the education commissioner to either close those campuses or replace the district’s elected board.
- Houston ISD earned an overall B this year but saw four elementary campuses slip to F, with district leaders saying no schools are currently on track for the five straight Fs that trigger takeover.
- Nine districts that faced takeover risk this year improved enough through score gains, campus closures, or outside partnerships to avoid state intervention, and districts have until the September appeals deadline to contest preliminary grades before final ratings in December.
- The A–F system weights Student Achievement, School Progress, and Closing the Gaps, and critics say the methodology and heavy reliance on standardized tests disproportionately penalize high-poverty and majority-Black or Latino campuses leading districts to change leaders, consolidate schools, or hire outside operators to try to protect students and local control.