The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is further exerting its influence over public education after announcing plans to replace the elected school boards of the Beaumont, Connally and Lake Worth school districts with state appointments.
The expansive takeover is the latest effort in the state’s ongoing campaign to assume direct control over independent school districts (ISD). With the latest announcement, TEA will have replaced school boards for five school districts this year alone, building off its takeover of Fort Worth ISD in October.
TEA has assumed control of 11 school districts since 2008, citing failing performance and lack of academic accountability for each takeover. A state takeover is only possible when a district school receives a failing grade for five consecutive years. Districts that have met that threshold and required state intervention include:
- Fort Worth ISD – 2025.
- South San Antonio ISD – 2025.
- La Joya ISD – 2024.
- Houston ISD – 2023.
- Shepherd ISD – 2019.
- Southside ISD – 2016.
- Marlin ISD – 2016.
- Edgewood ISD – 2016.
- Beaumont ISD – 2014.
- El Paso ISD – 2012.
- North Forest ISD – 2008.
The state’s takeover of Houston, La Joya, South San Antonio and Fort Worth ISDs is ongoing. Current data points toward only 34% of students across all grades and subjects performing at grade level. In addition, 20 campuses are receiving failing grades in the state’s accountability system.
Pending appeals, the state will establish a new board with state-selected appointments. TEA plans to solicit applications from local community members to fill out the freshly vacated boards of directors.
The agency noted in August that five school districts were at risk of intervention. The announcement cements TEA’s plans to takeover four of those districts, with the jury still out on whether it will intervene on behalf of Wichita Falls ISD. Each district will have the chance to attend an informal meeting later this month to appeal to the state.
While plans have been announced, TEA has not yet released a timeline for when the replacement process will take place. Should the decision be finalized, it will be the second time Beaumont ISD has undergone the process. TEA assumed oversight of the district’s operations between 2014 and 2020 due to financial mismanagement.
Photo by RDNE Stock project from Pexels
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