Fort Worth Schools: A State Takeover and the Fight for Better Education

The Fort Worth Independent School District (ISD) is under scrutiny by the Texas Education Agency (TEA), which is stepping in to take control due to the persistent failure of one of its schools, Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade. This move comes after nearly two decades of the district struggling to meet state standards.

State Appoints New Leadership

TEA Commissioner Mike Morath has decided to replace the elected school board with a state-appointed board of managers. These new leaders will oversee a vast district encompassing over 135 campuses and a budget of approximately $1 billion. Their responsibilities include managing the budget and hiring personnel for daily operations.

Recent Improvements Not Enough

Despite some recent improvements—such as higher test scores and a reduction in failing campuses—the district's efforts fell short of meeting state requirements. The TEA can intervene if a school receives an F rating for five consecutive years, which is exactly what happened at Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade.

Challenges Beyond One School

The campus, located in a neighborhood with a significant population of Black and Hispanic families, many of whom are refugees or immigrants, was one of the district's lowest-performing schools. Superintendent Karen Molinar acknowledged that the district should have provided more support to the students there.

The district's struggles extend beyond this single school. In 2023, only 44% of Fort Worth ISD students were reading at grade level. While test scores have shown improvement, the district still faces significant challenges. Critics argue that the district focused too much on high-performing schools and neglected those in need of support.

Financial and Legislative Pressures

The state takeover is not the only issue facing Fort Worth ISD. The district is currently operating with a $44 million budget deficit. Many believe that Texas Legislature's decisions on education funding have exacerbated the financial strain, leading to larger class sizes and fewer student support programs across the state.

Broader Implications

The TEA has been increasingly involved in taking over schools. Fort Worth ISD is the second-largest district to face state intervention, following Houston. Some critics argue that the state's emphasis on standardized testing is a contributing factor, as these tests consume valuable instructional time and place undue pressure on students.

The Road Ahead

The future of Fort Worth ISD hinges on the state-appointed leaders. While some hope the takeover will bring about positive changes, others are concerned about the potential impact on students and teachers.