The Texas education commissioner can take over a school district only if a campus fails in the state academic accountability ratings for five straight years.

However, public charter schools face closure after three years of either academic or financial failures.

A-F accountability ratings are determined by results on STAAR, the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness.

A takeover involves the commissioner replacing a school district’s elected trustees with a state-appointed board of managers and installing a new superintendent.

The largest takeover in Texas history was in Houston ISD. The commissioner is considering a takeover of Fort Worth and Lake Worth schools.

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Sources

• Texas Education Code Continued unacceptable performance rating
• Texas Education Agency How accountability ratings work
• House Research Organization Texas charter schools turn 25
• Fort Worth Report FWISD faces a state takeover. Here’s what parents need to know

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