Austin ISD’s bid to avoid state takeover rejected by Texas Education Agency

May 29, 2026 - 03:59

The Texas Education Agency has denied Austin ISD's request to bypass a state takeover of three chronically underperforming schools. TEA officials on Thursday rejected the district's bid to approve a partnership that would have temporarily paused the campuses' accountability ratings.

The decision means the state will move forward with its intervention at the three schools, which have consistently failed to meet academic standards. Austin ISD had proposed a partnership with an outside operator to run the campuses, hoping this arrangement would satisfy state requirements while giving the district more local control.

Under the rejected plan, the schools would have paused their state accountability ratings for a set period, allowing time for improvement without the threat of a full takeover. TEA officials determined the proposal did not meet the necessary criteria for approval.

The three schools have been under scrutiny for years due to low test scores and poor graduation rates. State law mandates intervention when campuses receive failing ratings for multiple consecutive years. Options include closure, charter conversion, or appointment of a board of managers to oversee the district.

Austin ISD leaders expressed disappointment with the ruling but said they will comply with the state's next steps. The district has faced mounting pressure from parents and community groups who want to see faster progress at the struggling schools. TEA has not yet announced its specific plan for intervention, but the rejection clears the path for a state-appointed board to take over governance of the campuses.