Three Austin middle schools—Burnet, Dobie and Webb—were denied entry into a proposed two-year 1882 partnership that would have paused state accountability penalties and helped Austin ISD avoid a takeover clock.
The Texas Education Agency said proposed operator Texas Council for International Studies failed 1 of 3 required tests: it did not prove a strong record of significantly improving academic performance at struggling campuses.
Four straight unacceptable ratings at each school have already put the district in danger; a fifth could let the state replace Austin ISD's elected board with a board of managers.
Matias Segura said Austin ISD will submit more information because TEA invited revisions, and he maintained TCIS can still raise student outcomes even without immediate approval.
2025-26 accountability ratings have not been released, leaving the district's next chance to avert a broader state intervention tied to upcoming school performance results.
Why did Texas reject a school partner that another major district in the state deems successful?
With its partnership plan denied, what is Austin's last chance to avoid a full state takeover?