Five Texas school districts are now officially at risk of a state takeover following the latest release of academic performance ratings. This marks a record number of districts reaching the threshold that triggers possible state intervention—raising concerns about how the Texas Education Agency (TEA) will respond in the coming months.
Districts
The districts now in the spotlight are Connally ISD, Lake Worth ISD, Beaumont ISD, Wichita Falls ISD, and Fort Worth ISD. According to a TEA spokesperson, each of these districts has received five consecutive failing ratings at one or more campuses, putting them squarely in the danger zone for sanctions.
Although TEA Commissioner Mike Morath hasn’t made final decisions yet, the agency is now weighing whether to appoint new leadership or shut down the struggling schools altogether.
Threshold
Under current Texas law, five consecutive F ratings at any one campus can trigger a state-mandated intervention. That could include replacing the local, elected school board with a state-appointed board of managers or ordering school closures.
The release of three years’ worth of academic ratings in 2024—covering the 2022-23, 2023-24, and 2024-25 school years—helped identify the districts now at risk. A recent appeals court ruling overturned a lower court decision and allowed the TEA to publish the ratings after years of delays.
Examples
Here’s a closer look at what pushed each district over the edge:
| District | Campus Triggering State Action |
|---|---|
| Connally ISD | Connally Elementary School |
| Lake Worth ISD | Marilyn Miller Language Academy |
| Wichita Falls ISD | Kirby Middle School (now closed) |
| Fort Worth ISD | Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade (closed) |
| Beaumont ISD | Fehl Price Elementary and Martin Luther King Jr. MS |
Wichita Falls ISD tried to avoid intervention by closing Kirby Middle School and moving students to another campus. Fort Worth ISD also shut down a school before the fifth failing grade was officially published. But according to Morath, closures do not excuse districts from “compulsory” state action once the threshold is hit.
Options
Districts aren’t completely without choices. One way to avoid a full takeover is by forming a partnership with a high-performing charter school network. Beaumont ISD, for example, teamed up with Third Future Schools to manage Fehl Price Elementary. However, for its second failing school, Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School, the district chose closure instead.
Beaumont has some experience with state intervention. The district was placed under state control about ten years ago due to financial mismanagement and only regained autonomy in 2020.
Context
This situation comes on the heels of the highly publicized takeover of Houston ISD, Texas’s largest school district. That intervention led to major staff cuts and declining enrollment, even as test scores reportedly improved. It’s a clear sign that state involvement in school governance remains a controversial topic—and one with real consequences.
The TEA has replaced school leadership in about ten districts since 2000. With five more now potentially on that list, the coming months could reshape public education oversight across several Texas communities.
FAQs
Which Texas districts are at risk?
Connally, Lake Worth, Beaumont, Wichita Falls, and Fort Worth ISDs.
Why are they facing state takeover?
They have five consecutive F ratings at one or more campuses.
Can school closures avoid sanctions?
No, TEA says closures don’t excuse state intervention.
What’s one way to avoid a takeover?
Partnering with a high-performing charter school.
Has TEA done this before?
Yes, about ten times since 2000, including Houston ISD recently.