Texas Education Agency to take control of Fort Worth schools as district struggles with low student performance
The Texas Education Agency will remove the elected Fort Worth Independent School District board and appoint a state-run board of managers, Commissioner Mike Morath announced Thursday, according to the Texas Tribune. The takeover is the second-largest in Texas history.The move comes after Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade failed to meet state academic standards for five years in a row. Data reported by the Harvard Crimson shows that only 34 percent of students across the district are performing at grade level, and 20 campuses have been considered academically unacceptable for multiple years, the Texas Tribune reported.
What this means for Fort Worth ISD
Under the takeover, the agency will appoint a new board of managers made up of community members. The Texas Tribune reports that TEA will also appoint a new superintendent, though current superintendent Karen Molinar is being considered for the role. A conservator will be responsible for overseeing low-performing campuses and ensuring that the district follows its turnaround plans.The elected board will keep their titles but will not have any decision-making authority. The district has the opportunity to appeal the decision early next week.
District Leaders Respond
The school board said it is disappointed by the takeover, according to the Texas Tribune. Board President Roxanne Martinez said the board and administration have been working to improve instruction and student outcomes. She added that the elected board is in the best position to make sustainable changes.Superintendent Molinar highlighted initiatives such as changes at seven campuses to attract new educators. She said the district will continue working to improve results for students and has communicated that message to staff, parents, and principals.
District demographics and performance
Fort Worth ISD has more than 70,000 students. About 75 percent of students are considered at risk of dropping out. The Texas Tribune highlights that nearly 40 percent of students are enrolled in bilingual or English learning programs. Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade served refugee and immigrant students.Even though the district’s overall rating is a C, which is considered acceptable by the state, Morath said the intervention is necessary because multiple campuses continue to show low performance, the Texas Tribune reported.
State takeovers in Texas
The Fort Worth ISD takeover is the 11th in Texas since 2000. The largest takeover is at Houston ISD, which began in 2023. Data shows that Houston ISD students in grades 3 through 12 have improved in each subject on the STAAR test since the takeover began. No campuses received an F in the most recent accountability ratings.Some teachers and parents have criticised the Houston takeover, saying it has led to high staff turnover and strict lesson plans.
Political reactions
As per the report by the Texas Tribune, Governor Greg Abbott’s office said the takeover is in the public interest and will improve outcomes for students. Abbott spokesperson Andrew Mahaleris said strong accountability is necessary for all Texas students.Texas Representative Gina Hinojosa called the takeover a crisis created by the state. She said Fort Worth ISD has been underfunded and that the state has not provided enough resources for public education, reports Texas Tribune.
Other school districts at risk
Other districts, including Lake Worth, Beaumont, Connally, and Wichita, may also face state intervention after receiving consecutive failing ratings.TEA officials said the Fort Worth takeover is meant to improve student performance, strengthen governance, and ensure that schools follow their improvement plans.
