TEA Takeover FAQ

What Happens if the State Takes Over Austin ISD?

What Does the Law Say?

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) can take over an entire school district if just one school earns repeated failing ratings.

Three AISD schools (Burnet, Dobie, and Webb) are each only one rating away from triggering a takeover.

Deceptive A–F ratings are based on standardized tests and don't accurately reflect school quality. They reflect student demographics more than any other factor. Whether students have stable housing or are still learning English, they are still counted the same.

What Happens if TEA Takes Over?

The TEA Commissioner replaces our elected school board with an appointed board and superintendent that he chooses.

These officials have full control over budgets, personnel, operations, curriculum, and school consolidation with no obligation to listen to the community.

Our community would lose any say in the district's affairs, allowing an appointed board to subvert the will of the people.

What Happened When TEA Took Over Houston ISD?

HISD's state-appointed leaders implemented the New Education System (NES), a militarized, test-focused model. They have indicated they could implement a similar model if they take over AISD.

NES replaced books with AI-generated passages. Students spend six hours a day online and take daily tests. 

Group work, recess, and classroom libraries are minimized. The model prevents students from receiving special education accommodations.

What Happened to HISD Students?

HISD students have lost access to actual books, fine arts, IB and AP programs, advanced math and science courses, special education mentoring programs, and counseling services.

Enrollment has declined by 17,000+.

HISD students were reduced to packets, videos, and worksheets. Teachers were overwhelmed. The system is broken.

What Happened to HISD Teachers?

Teachers must follow a prescribed curriculum with rapid pacing. Deviating from the script or speaking publicly about conditions can have consequences. Classrooms have cameras watching every move. 4,700 teachers left HISD in the takeover's first year, leaving many vacancies. About 1 in 4 HISD teachers are now uncertified.

What Else Happened in HISD?

HISD's unelected board approved controversial changes with no public input, including:
Closure of 12 schools
Reassigning 5,000+ special education students
Converting hundreds of libraries to detention centers
Placing educators in "teacher jail"
Elimination of Career and Technical Education programs
Sale of district property

How Do We Fight Back?

Our community is stronger when we are organized. To get involved, email us to join the Maplewood Advocacy Team. You have the option to stay informed or volunteer for opportunities as needed during the year.