AUSTIN, Texas — A long embattled southeast Austin middle school is improving, according to the latest available Texas Education Agency (TEA) accountability data.

Mendez Middle School received a "B" rating in 2023, the most recently released TEA accountability data after delays related to lawsuits against the agency over the ratings. According to KVUE's media partners at the Austin American-Statesman , the school has failed state academic standards since 2013.

Mendez has been managed by a charter system for several years. Colorado-based Third Future Schools operates the school after making a deal with Austin ISD under a partnership called an 1882 agreement. Those state-approved partnerships let school districts pause TEA sanctions like school closures by handing the operations of

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