TEXAS — The Texas Education Agency (TEA) recently released its annual accountability ratings, which tell school districts and families how well their students and schools are doing.

These annual scores consider how well students are doing on their STAAR exams, graduation rates and even military and college readiness.

As the scores came out Friday morning, state-appointed Fort Worth Independent School District Superintendent Dr. Peter Licata walked the halls of Monnig Middle School in Fort Worth.

“We have to celebrate the victories,” said Licata.

Overall, the district received a C, an increase of four points from its grade of 73 in 2025 to a 77 in 2026.

“We’re riding a good wave,” said Licata. “The district maintained a C, we bumped up a little bit in the C points, but it’s our goal next year to be a B next year if not an A and eradicate any D and F schools. That’s our goal.”

Fifty-five campuses got an A or a B from the TEA, up from 45 last year. It was an improvement for some schools, but not for all.

William James Middle School scored its fifth F in a row.

“It is not fair that the neighborhood has to come to a school that they see as failing,” said Licata.

If Fort Worth ISD wasn’t already in a state takeover, that fifth F would’ve triggered one. Wichita Falls ISD is trying to avoid state intervention.

“We’re excited about it, about where we’re headed,” said Dr. Donny Lee, the Wichita Falls ISD superintendent. “We are not satisfied with where it’s at.”

Lee is happy to see his district go from a D to a C this year, especially Hirschi Middle School, which received a C after being at risk of potentially triggering a state takeover.

“It’s the highest rating they’ve ever received,” said Lee.

Last school year, Wichita Falls ISD brought on Third Future Schools, a Colorado-based charter school network, to oversee Hirschi.

“It’s a combination,” said Lee. “They helped tremendously with our partnership at Hirschi to go from what they’ve traditionally been: F’s and D’s to almost a B.”

He also attributes the district’s improvement to his educators.

“Systematically following our curriculum, coaching our teachers, working with our principals, all the things,” said Lee. “And it’s been working every year. We’ve been seeing improvement every single year.”

Lee hopes that continues this school year, as they add double the math classes and more frequent comprehension quizzes to some campuses.

If a student is still struggling after a quiz on a lesson, they stay on the subject until they understand. 

“They’re getting a reteach right then,” said Lee.

Both districts said that the saying “C’s get degrees” isn’t good enough for either district.

“Long gone are the days of just getting a kid through school and passing them onto the next,” said Licata. “We’re going to make sure they are educated to move to the next grade level.”