Discover the Top 5 Texas School Districts Facing Potential State Takeover After Latest Ratings Update

A historic number of Texas school districts are facing serious consequences due to poor performance ratings. Five districts—Connally, Lake Worth, Beaumont, Wichita Falls, and Fort Worth—have received five failing grades on multiple campuses. This pattern has raised alarms, prompting potential state interventions.

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) may replace democratically-elected school boards if these trends continue. TEA Commissioner Mike Morath hasn’t yet made a final decision, but he has the option to either replace school leadership or close underperforming campuses. This isn’t the first time; since 2000, such replacements have happened about ten times.

Recent data shows these failing grades stem from three years’ worth of assessments, released just this year. A ruling from a state appeals court allowed these scores to be made public, overturning a prior decision that had kept them under wraps for years.

For example, Connally Elementary School in Connally ISD and Marilyn Miller Language Academy in Lake Worth ISD are now at risk due to their recent ratings. Meanwhile, Wichita Falls ISD closed Kirby Middle School after ongoing issues but still faces TEA intervention after its latest failing grade.

Fort Worth ISD also closed Leadership Academy before receiving its fifth F rating, but TEA still insists this does not exempt them from state action. District officials are planning to appeal the rating, indicating the level of concern over state intervention.

Approaching these challenges, Beaumont ISD opted to partner with a charter school network for help with Fehl Price Elementary. However, they also voted to close another struggling school, Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School.

Interestingly, Beaumont has been under state intervention before, mainly due to financial scandals, and only regained local control in 2020. Recently, the TEA also took over Houston ISD, the state’s largest district, facing its own set of challenges under a controversial leadership that has led to higher test scores but significant enrollment declines and staff layoffs.

These situations are tapping into a larger debate about educational accountability and governance in Texas. Social media reactions show community concerns and mixed feelings about state involvement in school affairs, highlighting a lack of faith in local governance amidst ongoing struggles.

For more insights, you can read additional reports on school performance and intervention strategies on the Texas Tribune’s website.

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