Texas Education Agency Assumes Control of Fort Worth ISD in Major Shakeup
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has announced a significant shakeup in the Fort Worth Independent School District (ISD). As part of this decision, the TEA will install a board of managers to assume control of the district, replacing the existing elected school board members.
Details of the State Intervention
TEA Commissioner Mike Morath confirmed this change in an interview, explaining that the installation of a board of managers is mandated by state law. The new board will have similar powers to that of an elected board of trustees.
- The board will be composed of individuals from the Fort Worth community.
- TEA aims to recruit members with diverse backgrounds including parents and community leaders.
A website dedicated to recruiting applications from volunteers interested in serving on this board will be launched soon. This intervention also suggests changes in district leadership, notably affecting Fort Worth ISD’s new superintendent, Dr. Karen Molinar, who may be replaced during this transition.
Academic Performance and Accountability Ratings
The TEA’s decision follows rising concerns regarding academic performance within Fort Worth ISD. Morath highlighted that the district had seen an increase in the number of chronically failing campuses, with the figure rising from eight to twenty since 2022. At present, only 34% of students are performing at grade level, which is significantly below the state average by 16 percentage points.
The results have raised alarms, compelling the TEA to take direct action. The district maintained a C rating in the 2023 accountability ratings, despite past improvements such as reducing the number of failing schools from 31 to 11 since 2024.
Implications for Students and Teachers
Currently, families and staff members within Fort Worth ISD should not expect immediate changes. Dr. Molinar and the elected board will continue to oversee district operations until the new board of managers completes its appointment process, projected to finish by spring.
Morath emphasized that the goal of the intervention is to be temporary. Significant improvements in the district’s academic systems will dictate how soon leadership can revert back to an elected school board.
Future Prospects
In addition to the Fort Worth ISD changes, the TEA is also considering a state takeover of the Lake Worth ISD due to low accountability ratings. Commissioner Morath has highlighted chronic academic problems and the need for bold action to improve conditions for students in that district.
- Lake Worth ISD has five out of six campuses rated F.
- The Commissioner stressed the importance of ensuring students have access to quality education.
As the TEA works to address the educational challenges in both districts, families and educators remain hopeful for constructive outcomes.
