An aerial view of a Fort Worth school highlighting the focus on education.
Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath has cautioned the Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) about a potential state takeover due to five consecutive years of failing academic ratings at the Leadership Academy at Forest Oak. FWISD received an overall grade of D in the 2023 accountability ratings, sparking plans for appeal. The district’s leadership is urged to implement effective changes as the state may intervene if academic performance does not improve. The outcome will significantly affect local school governance and community perspectives.
Fort Worth – Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath has issued a warning to the Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) about the grave risk of a state takeover following five consecutive years of failing ratings for the Leadership Academy at Forest Oak sixth grade campus. This situation could result in a significant shift in governance for the district, as Morath indicated that immediate action is necessary to address the educational failures impacting many students.
FWISD received an overall grade of D in the recently released 2023 A-F academic accountability ratings, with approximately 30% of its 138 schools receiving failing grades. Education officials have stated that the district is not at immediate risk of a takeover, but they plan to appeal the failing ratings assigned. The outcomes of these appeals will play a crucial role, as final decisions regarding the academic ratings are expected by August.
The state has the authority under Texas law to intervene when districts consistently underperform. In such cases, the Commissioner can either appoint a board of managers to oversee the district’s operations or close down persistently failing campuses. While FWISD has already shut down the Leadership Academy at Forest Oak, this closure does not alleviate the potential for broader state actions against the district.
Morath has stressed that the extensive duration of poor academic performance has made it imperative for FWISD’s leadership to enact aggressive and effective strategies to change the current trajectory. In response to these concerns, the district is actively working on restructuring its literacy and mathematics curriculum to improve student outcomes. Karen Molinar, who became the permanent superintendent in March 2024, is committed to enhancing literacy and addressing the systemic issues that have led to the failing grades.
The 2023 accountability ratings were particularly noteworthy as they had been postponed for two years due to ongoing lawsuits, adding complexity to the evaluation process for districts across Texas. Despite challenges, it is worth noting that other districts also experienced similar declines in their academic accountability scores, which were partly attributed to disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.
The Texas Education Agency (TEA), which oversees the A-F accountability system, has a history of taking serious actions in response to repeated educational failures, exemplified by previous actions against districts such as Houston ISD. The A-F system itself has faced criticism for its heavy reliance on standardized test scores when determining school performance.
Mayor Mattie Parker of Fort Worth has expressed her belief that any intervention from the TEA should be balanced, supporting the need for oversight while advocating for local governance of FWISD. The outcomes of the accountability ratings will not only affect district leadership but may also significantly influence community perceptions of local schools and impact decisions related to enrolment and housing within the area.
In summary, as FWISD prepares to navigate the aftermath of the failing ratings, the district’s response will be closely monitored by both parents and local officials, with the potential for state intervention looming in the backdrop. The coming months are critical as they will determine the future direction of education in Fort Worth.
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