Texas State Takes Control of Fort Worth Schools in Major Education Overhaul
The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has announced a significant intervention in Fort Worth Independent School District (ISD), marking the second-largest state takeover in Texas history. Education Commissioner Mike Morath confirmed that the district’s elected school board and its superintendent, Karen Molinar, will be removed as part of this overhaul.
Key Details of the State Takeover
- District Size: Fort Worth ISD serves approximately 67,500 students.
- Reason for Takeover: The intervention stems from a campus receiving failing ratings for five consecutive years.
- Actions Taken: Morath will replace the nine-member board with a state-appointed board of managers and a new superintendent.
- Improvement of Schools: Fifty schools in the district moved up at least one letter grade, reducing failing schools from 31 to 11.
- Performance Statistics: Only 34% of Fort Worth ISD students are meeting grade level, which is below the state average by 16 percentage points.
Background and Context
The TEA’s decision follows a prolonged period of scrutiny. Earlier this year, Superintendent Molinar acknowledged the need for improvements in the district. Notably, the agency had already taken control of Houston ISD, Texas’s largest district, in 2023, setting a precedent for state intervention.
Morath cited a “chronic inability” of Fort Worth ISD to effectively support student learning. He added that the issues facing the district existed prior to COVID-19 disruptions. Morath’s observations during visits to Fort Worth schools revealed a concerning level of student proficiency compared to similar districts.
Future Direction and Community Response
In light of these developments, Morath aims to implement changes rapidly to stabilize the district’s performance. However, opinions among parents and community members vary. Some oppose the takeover, advocating for more time for Molinar’s reforms to take effect.
Morath has defended state takeovers, stating that previous interventions have led to noticeable improvements in student learning outcomes. While the effectiveness of such actions remains a topic of debate, the focus now shifts to how the TEA will navigate the complexities of managing a district amidst ongoing challenges.
