One in Five Texas Schools Slammed With D or F Ratings Under New Standards

The latest data published on Thursday reveals that Texas public schools' rankings significantly fell following the implementation of more stringent evaluation criteria, which assess how effectively these districts teach their students.

Poor performance scores on the state’s grading system from A to F could lead to significant repercussions. Parents might choose alternative schools for their children, potentially impacting enrollment numbers. Additionally, this poor rating could discourage businesses from investing in these areas. School districts receiving multiple low marks risk severe penalties imposed by the state; such measures include closing poorly performing institutions or having them taken over by state authorities.

The release of ratings on Thursday for the 2022-23 academic year was notable as it was the first instance in half a decade where underperforming district grades were disclosed publicly. This time around, the proportion of schools statewide receiving an F grade jumped from 4.5% in 2019 to 7.6% in 2023.

Out of the 8,539 public schools assessed statewide, 19.3% were awarded an A grade. Additionally, 33.6% obtained a B, 24.7% earned a C, and 14.8% received a D.

In the past five years, Fort Worth ISD was the sole district where a school received an F grade repeatedly, reaching the criteria for potential state takeover—the most severe form of state intervention.

The performance metrics for educational institutions and school districts are determined by three key areas: first, how effectively students score on statewide assessments and achieve standards related to college and career preparedness; second, the progress made by these students over periods of time; and third, the success rates in providing quality education to the state’s underprivileged youth.

The TEA Commissioner, Mike Morath, viewed the decreases from 2022-23 as an indication that student progress was stabilizing post-pandemic recovery period characterized by quick advancements. Concurrently, educational institutions statewide argue that stricter evaluation criteria have complicated their ability to achieve top ratings.

Ratings fell for districts implementing tougher criteria

In 2023, data indicates that 56% of Texas' high schools achieved better outcomes with their senior students being prepared for college, the military, or employment compared to the prior academic year. However, simultaneously, almost 90% of these educational institutions experienced a decline in their overall readiness scores due to stricter criteria implemented during that period.

“We keep raising the bar so that Texas is a leader in preparing students for postsecondary success,” Morath said during a call with reporters Tuesday.

During the 2022-23 academic year, for the first time, TEA granted an A rating solely for college and career readiness if at least 88% of a school’s graduating class was deemed prepared for post-high-school life. This marked an increase from the prior figure of 60%.

A legal battle blocked the release of the ratings for 19 months. More than 120 districts across the state argued TEA did not give them adequate notice before rolling out stricter college and career readiness benchmarks.

An appeals court earlier this month ruled that Morath did not overstep his authority when he made those changes, clearing TEA to make the 2023 A-F grades public.

The role poverty plays in ratings

School districts with high percentages of low-income students were more prone to receive a grade of D or F compared to those serving fewer economically disadvantaged students. Very few educational regions with less than 20% of low-income students ended up with an overall rating of D or F.

Schools located in economically disadvantaged regions frequently operate with limited resources to achieve the same benchmarks set for all other educational institutions within the state. Critics argue against this evaluation method, asserting that it places an undue burden on those schools operating under constrained conditions and fails to account for the significant challenges faced when teaching children from impoverished backgrounds.

Chronically underperforming schools put districts at risk of sanctions

The ratings released Thursday show Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade in Fort Worth was the only school that has accrued five consecutive years of failing scores.

Teachers have struggled to build out high-quality curricula for math and reading because of leadership turnover, contributing to years of low performance ratings, Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Karen Molinar said.

“These ratings aren’t new to us, despite being recently unveiled,” Molinar stated. “We’re implementing alterations. They’re quite daring, yet driven by an urgent necessity.”

Molinar mentioned that the district will have Texas Wesleyan University assist in overseeing operations. Such partnerships serve as a lifeline for troubled districts; entrusting the administration of underperforming schools to nonprofits, universities, or charter organizations allows for a two-year respite from penalties.

Last month, the Fort Worth Independent School District board decided to shut down the Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade and transfer the students to the Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Middle School instead.

In at least five additional districts throughout the state, schools faced four consecutive years of poor ratings, pushing them nearer to facing state-imposed penalties.

One of those districts, Wichita Falls ISD, shut down Kirby Middle School in 2023 and moved students to a new building. But a TEA spokesperson said district leadership largely stayed the same, which means their failing grades — and the possibility of state sanctions that come with them — will follow them to their new campus.

This article originally appeared in The Texas Tribune at https://www.texastribune.org/2025/04/24/texas-schools-accountability-ratings/ .

The Texas Tribune is a member-supported, nonpartisan newsroom informing and engaging Texans on state politics and policy. Learn more at texastribune.org.

Four school districts in Texas face potential state intervention following the release of their 2023 ratings.

The article initially appeared on the Corpus Christi Caller Times. One out of every five schools in Texas received a D or F grade according to the updated performance criteria.