The Austin Independent School District is facing the possibility of state intervention after the Texas Education Agency rejected the district’s plan to address ongoing academic struggles at three middle schools.
The decision puts the district closer to a potential state takeover, which could remove authority from the locally elected school board and place control of the district under a state-appointed board of managers.
The schools at the center of the dispute — Burnet, Dobie and Webb middle schools — have repeatedly received failing accountability ratings under Texas’ A-F school grading system. Under state law, campuses with multiple consecutive failing ratings can trigger a state intervention process.
AISD attempted to avoid a takeover by creating a partnership through a program established under Senate Bill 1882, which allows districts to work with outside organizations to help improve struggling campuses.
The district partnered with the Texas Council for International Studies, hoping the collaboration would satisfy state requirements and provide additional support while keeping control with local leaders. The TEA, however, rejected the proposal, leaving the district without that alternative path.
If the state moves forward with a takeover, Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath could replace the elected school board with a board of managers responsible for overseeing district operations.
The move would mirror the state’s 2023 takeover of the Houston Independent School District, where the TEA replaced the elected board following years of academic concerns at several campuses.
Supporters of state intervention argue the state has a responsibility to act when schools consistently fail to improve and students are not receiving adequate academic support.
Critics say takeovers remove local control from voters and question whether state intervention leads to better outcomes for students. Some Austin parents and educators have also raised concerns about the impact a takeover could have while the district faces budget challenges and staffing reductions.
The situation comes as Texas continues to debate how much authority the state should have over local school districts and how best to address campuses struggling with academic performance.
AISD officials are expected to continue discussions with state leaders as the district works to determine its next steps.