Dallas and Fort Worth ISDs improve TEA ratings
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Dallas and Fort Worth ISDs are among 24% of Texas school districts that received a higher accountability rating this year compared with last year.
- Dallas ISD's rating improved from C to B, while Fort Worth ISD's improved from D to C.
Why it matters: The Texas Education Agency released district and school ratings for 2024 and 2025 on Friday after evaluating schools based on their progress, academic growth, student achievement and performance in comparison with other similar schools.
The big picture: Around 31% of the state's 9,084 public schools scored higher and 15% scored lower compared with last year's ratings.
Catch up quick: Lawsuits over the rating system delayed the release of the 2023-24 school year scores. The 2023 ratings were released in April after an appeals court ruling.
- Fort Worth ISD was at risk of a state takeover after one of its schools received five consecutive years of failing ratings. That school closed in 2023.
- After the 2023 ratings were released this year, TEA commissioner Mike Morath warned the district it would have to make aggressive and immediate improvements.
State of play: Fort Worth ISD is still waiting on a decision from the TEA over whether the state will take over the district, WFAA reported. Morath has said a decision is expected in the coming months.
- Highland Park, Carroll and Lovejoy ISDs were the highest scoring traditional districts in North Texas, with scores topping 94. Lake Worth ISD was the region's lowest scoring district, receiving an overall score of 62 out of 100.
- Denton ISD's rating improved from C to B this year.
Zoom in: Student achievement and academic growth were the biggest pain points for Dallas and Fort Worth ISDs in 2024-25, per the new ratings.
- Dallas' four-year graduation rate was roughly 86%, and Fort Worth's was 85%. The state's rate was 91%.
Go deeper: Browse the ratings