Buckholts, Marlin, Sierra Blanca and Winfield ISDs lose TEA accreditation

[TexasTowelie]

The Texas Education Agency has revoked both Buckholts ISD and Marlin ISD's accreditations as public school districts in Texas after both failed to meet state standards five years in a row. Now, both districts are at risk of closing -- though no official decisions have been made.

Marlin was listed as "improvement required" in 2011, and then again for five consecutive years in 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. Buckholts also had below-acceptable TEA accountability ratings between 2013 and 2017, according to the TEA's latest accreditation status list published Friday.

According to the list, two other Texas districts also lost their accreditation this year: Sierra Blanca ISD in Hudspeth County and Winfield ISD in Titus County.

The school districts have the opportunity to appeal the TEA's decision, and both Marlin and Buckholts have done so. Buckholts ISD's review has already occurred, but Education Commissioner Mike Morath has yet to make a final decision. Marlin ISD will have the chance to plead its case to remain open during its review process next week.

Read more: http://www.kcentv.com/article/news/education/marlin-isd-and-buckholts-isd-both-lose-tea-accreditation/500-516721384

The Marlin school district is the largest of the school districts that had their accreditation revoked.

[greymattermom]

1. Would the state colleges accept students from these districts

if accreditation is lost?

[TexasTowelie]

2. Yes, the state colleges will still accept students from those districts.

The accreditation status does not effect the status of the students graduating this year.

Supposedly if the school districts fail in their appeals to the TEA then the schools are supposed to close by July 1. For Buckholt and Winfield, those are relatively small districts and they could be annexed easily by other school districts within their counties. While Sierra Blanca is a small district, I believe that it might be the only school district in Hudspeth County so I would expect that district to remain open. Marlin is a medium-sized district and I believe it is also the largest in its county so it is also likely to remain open because the adjacent school districts are mediocre and couldn't absorb the influx of new students.