New information from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) shows that the number of "worst schools in Texas" has increased significantly since last year. This week, TEA released its latest Public Education Grant list, reporting that 1,532 schools are underperforming.

That figure has grown by more than 300 since 2014 when the total was 1,199 schools. The year before, there were only 892 schools on the list.

To be included, schools have either received an "Improvement Required" rating from TEA in the past three years or have a 50 percent or lower passing rate for standardized testing in two of the past three years. The list is published in accordance with the Public Education Grant, which allows parents to transfer children out of schools on the list of low performers.

Fifteen Austin Independent School District schools are included, four more than the previous year. Austin ISD schools are as follows:

• Brooke Elementary
• Burnet Middle School
• Dobie Middle School
• Eastside Memorial at the Johnston
• Houston Elementary
• Lanier High School
• LBJ High School
• Martin Middle School
• Mendez Middle School
• Norman Elementary
• Ridgetop Elementary
• Rodriguez Elementary
• Travis High School
• Webb Middle School
• Widen Elementary

Other Austin-area districts on the list include Del Valle ISD (seven schools), Manor ISD (six schools), Round Rock ISD (three schools), Hays CISD (three schools), and Elgin ISD (two schools).