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TEA releases 2025-2026 financial accountability ratings for Texas schools

The Texas Education Agency announced the final Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) ratings for the 2025-2026 school year. The ratings measure the financial management practices of Texas public schools using 21 financial indicators.

Where
Statewide
When
November 9, 2026
Sources
Official record and 1 more

Taxes and money

None stated in sources.

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Who's involved

  • Texas Education Agencyreleased final financial accountability ratings

The facts

  • 79.87 percent of school systems earned an A or Superior Achievement rating for 2025-2026.1
  • 945 school systems and charter schools earned A ratings; 144 earned B; 76 earned C; 18 earned F.1
  • FIRST ratings include 840 traditional school districts and 105 charter schools earning A ratings.1
  • All five charter schools operated by public institutions of higher education received a Pass rating.1
  • FIRST was established by the 77th Texas Legislature in 2001 to provide accountability for school financial management.1
  • Ratings are based on 21 financial indicators including administrative cost expenditures and internal control weaknesses.1
  • Four critical indicators result in automatic F ratings regardless of overall score in specific categories.1
  • School systems must share ratings with parents and taxpayers at a public meeting to discuss the financial report.1

Sources

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These outlets were found through Google News headlines. Google decides which outlets appear there, and they lean mostly one way, so this sheet can only be as balanced as the reporting it was built from. Leanings are AllSides Media Bias Ratings.

  1. TEA Releases Final 2025–2026 Financial Accountability Ratings Texas Education Agency , official record, November 9, 2026

Also reported by KVUE.

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