Two campuses in the Austin Independent School District (AISD), Burnet Middle School and Webb Middle School, have each received their fifth consecutive F rating in the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) latest accountability report. This development places the district at risk of state intervention, a possibility that has drawn increased attention to both the district’s academic performance and its ability to serve a diverse student population.
The repeated failing grades for these two schools have intensified scrutiny of Austin ISD, particularly as the district works to address the needs of its large population of emergent bilingual students. These students, often referred to as English learners, require specialized instruction and support to achieve academic success. The challenge of serving such a significant group has become a focal point in discussions about the district’s overall performance and resource allocation.
According to the TEA’s 2025-26 accountability ratings, Austin ISD serves approximately 69,000 students. Of these, about 29.7%—roughly 20,500 students—are classified as emergent bilingual. This proportion is notably higher than the statewide average, which typically ranges from 21% to 24%. The district’s ratings for the current year show a wide range of performance: 28 schools received an A, 33 earned a B, 22 were rated C, 11 received a D, and 20 schools were given an F.
State Law and Potential Actions
Under Texas state law, any campus that receives five consecutive years of unacceptable performance ratings can trigger intervention by the Texas education commissioner. The commissioner has several options in such cases, including closing the underperforming campuses or replacing the elected school board with a state-appointed superintendent and board of managers. The specific course of action depends on the commissioner’s assessment and decision.
Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath addressed the situation in an interview with Fox 7 Austin, emphasizing that the current ratings are preliminary. Morath outlined the state’s process for handling such cases, which includes a 30-day window for appeals following the release of preliminary ratings. After this period, there is an additional 30-day window to apply for an appeal. The process then moves to a third-party panel review, which typically takes about 60 days. This panel is responsible for verifying the accuracy of the ratings and ensuring that all relevant information has been considered.
"Unfortunately, this school year, that school district had two campuses reach five years of an ‘F’ in a row, and it was Austin. Ratings are what we refer to as preliminary ratings, then there’s a 30-day appeal window, then there’s a 30-day window to apply for appeal. Then there’s about 60 days when we have a third-party panel review and just check all the work, make sure it’s accurate," Morath said.
He added, “Sometimes, those results in ratings changes. So I think it’s way preliminary to discuss what actually might happen in Austin as a result of that.”
The process means that any potential state intervention is still several months away and will depend on the outcome of appeals and the third-party review. The TEA has not yet announced any formal intervention, and the district’s fate remains undecided as the process unfolds.
Emergent Bilingual Enrollment and Funding
Austin ISD’s emergent bilingual enrollment is among the highest in Texas, which has implications for both funding and educational strategy. According to advocate and investigator Ami Lynne, the state’s basic allotment for emergent bilingual students could total more than $8.5 billion annually across Texas. For Austin ISD, this could translate to between $224 million and $328 million each year, depending on the specific allotment used.
The district’s higher-than-average rate of emergent bilingual students has prompted questions from community members and education advocates about how these substantial resources are being allocated. There is ongoing concern about whether the funding is effectively supporting academic improvement for English learners, especially in light of the repeated F ratings at Burnet and Webb middle schools.
The challenge for Austin ISD is not only to improve academic outcomes at its lowest-performing campuses but also to ensure that emergent bilingual students receive the support they need to succeed. This includes access to qualified teachers, appropriate instructional materials, and targeted interventions designed to address language barriers and other challenges.
District Response and Next Steps
Austin ISD did not respond to The Daily Signal’s request for comment by the time of publication. The Texas Education Agency has also not made any formal announcements regarding intervention, as the ratings are still considered preliminary and subject to the established appeal and review process.
Over the coming months, the district will have the opportunity to appeal the ratings and present additional information to the TEA and the third-party review panel. The outcome of this process will determine whether the state takes action, such as closing campuses or appointing new district leadership.
The situation remains fluid, with the possibility of changes to the ratings or the district’s status depending on the results of appeals and further review. For now, Austin ISD faces heightened scrutiny as it works to address the needs of its students and respond to the challenges highlighted by the latest accountability report.
