Approximately 10% of schools failed to meet all state safety tests, Texas Education Agency says

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- The Texas Education Agency released its annual audit report on school safety and security in Texas.

The agency told ABC13 that school districts are tasked with strengthening school security and ensuring they're prepared for emergencies.

Around 90% of the school districts and campuses in Texas had no issues with the initial phases of security preparedness, according to the report.

"What we found in the report is that schools are doing very well," John Scott, Texas Education Agency's chief of School Safety & Security, said.

Scott said when inspectors visit campuses, the goal is to test if schools are meeting state requirements.

"We show up unannounced. Schools don't know we are coming, and we see if the doors are locked. Is the school safe? Are they keeping people that don't need to be in the school outside the school and forcing them to go in one entrance where they have to check in, and they can be screened at that point?" Scott said.

Over 86% of school campuses had "no findings" in phases 1 and 2 and in the "door log review," according to the audit.

"Districts have achieved a high rate of compliance in critical safety areas, specifically in preventing unauthorized access and increasing emergency preparedness," according to the report. "On-site audits and assessments completed by TEA school safety agents ensure school districts are implementing safety and security procedures and policies required by Texas statute."

The report states that some challenges remain, including ongoing gaps in exterior door security, window reinforcement, threat assessment training, and facility maintenance.

The report does not state which school districts experienced security failures or successes, so it is unclear how well Houston-area school districts and campuses performed.