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ºÚÁÏÍø×îÐÂÈë¿Ú Releases Final 2025–2026 Financial Accountability Ratings
AUSTIN, Texas – November 9, 2026 – The ºÚÁÏÍø×îÐÂÈë¿Ú (ºÚÁÏÍø×îÐÂÈë¿Ú) today announced the 2025–2026 Financial Integrity or FIRST ratings for Texas public schools. 79.87 percent of school systems earned an ‘A’ or Superior Achievement rating for the 2025–2026 school year. By maintaining strong financial practices, these school systems are building brighter futures for the students and communities they serve.
The School Financial Integrity Rating System of Texas (FIRST) was established by the 77th Texas Legislature in 2001 to provide accountability for Texas public schools on the quality of their financial management practices. The ratings are based on annual financial reports submitted by school systems to ºÚÁÏÍø×îÐÂÈë¿Ú for the 2025 fiscal year. The reports are subsequently reviewed by the agency and a rating is assigned.
School systems are assigned one of four possible grades under the financial accountability ratings: A-Superior Achievement, B-Above Standard Achievement, C-Meets Standard Achievement or F-Substandard Achievement.
Final FIRST ratings for the 2025–2026 school year are as follows:
| Final Rating | Districts | Charter Schools | Total | PCT |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A – Superior Achievement | 840 | 105 | 945 | 79.87% |
| B – Above Standard Achievement | 107 | 37 | 144 | 12.18% |
| C – Meets Standard Achievement | 60 | 16 | 76 | 6.43% |
| F – Substandard Achievement | 11 | 7 | 18 | 1.52% |
| Total | 1,018 | 165 | 1,183 | 100% |
FIRST ratings are calculated using 21 financial indicators for both traditional school districts and public charter schools, such as administrative cost expenditures; the accuracy of a district or charter school’s financial information submitted to ºÚÁÏÍø×îÐÂÈë¿Ú; and any financial vulnerabilities or material weaknesses in internal controls as determined by an external auditor.
There are four critical indicators that result in an automatic F or Substandard Achievement rating should a school system fail in that specific category – regardless of their overall score. Final FIRST ratings for charter schools operated by a public institution of higher education (IHE) are assigned separately. IHEs are assigned either a Pass or Fail rating based on seven different indicators. For 2025–2026, all five charter schools operated by a public institution of higher education received a final FIRST rating of Pass.
All Texas public school systems are required to share their financial accountability ratings with parents and taxpayers at a public meeting to discuss the financial report.
For more information on FIRST ratings and to view 2025-2026 final ratings, please visit , School FIRST webpage for independent school districts or Charter FIRST webpage for charter schools.
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