Fort Worth Schools at Risk of State Takeover
Fort Worth schools are at risk of a state takeover, Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath warned district leaders on Monday.
One of the district’s campuses earned a failing rating for the fifth consecutive year, according to recently released 2023 A-F academic accountability grades.
But complicating matters is that the state rating comes two years delayed because of lawsuits — and Fort Worth officials already closed that campus.
Morath wrote to Superintendent Karen Molinar and trustee president Roxanne Martinez that the closure “has no bearing on” the actions he may take.
Understanding the Situation
State law requires the commissioner to either appoint a board of managers to govern a district or order the closure of a consistently failing campus.
“It is unfortunate to be placed in such a position, as it represents an underlying fact that many students have been so significantly harmed that the American dream may be out of their reach,” Morath wrote. “While the actions required of me by the statute are serious, they are absolutely necessary for the students of Fort Worth ISD.”
Fort Worth Independent School District leaders told the Fort Worth Report in April they believe the district isn’t at risk of a state takeover.
District Response
In a Monday statement, district officials said they will be appealing the rating.
“More importantly, we remain focused on bold, strategic action to implement a restructured literacy and math curriculum framework that includes targeted training, high quality instructional materials and systemwide implementation,” the statement read.
The conflict centers around the Leadership Academy at Forest Oak sixth grade campus, which earned an F in 2023. The district later closed the school.
A-F Academic Accountability Ratings
The 2023 ratings remain subject to appeal, with final decisions assigned by August. Regardless, Morath told Fort Worth school leaders they must take immediate and aggressive action.
“I will be evaluating the operations and leadership of Fort Worth ISD more closely in the coming months and, if forced to make a decision under (state education law,) will do so after ratings become final,” he wrote.
The 2023 A-F academic accountability ratings were delayed for the past two years because of a lawsuit. Texas Education Agency officials recently won the ability to publish the 2023 scores, which they did last month.
Overall, Fort Worth ISD scored a D. About 30% of its 138 schools earned F ratings in 2023.
Impact on Students and Community
However, it’s the results of just one school — the now-closed Leadership Academy at Forest Oak sixth grade — that could lead to serious consequences for all the district’s roughly 70,000 students.
Molinar became the permanent FWISD superintendent in March after serving as interim since October 2024. She was previously a deputy superintendent in the district.
She’s pledged a stronger focus on literacy, acknowledging the district has much to improve on.
“We are committed to equipping teachers with the resources they need and ensuring students receive consistent, high-impact instruction that accelerates learning and academic growth,” district officials said in Monday’s statement.
Texas’ A-F School Grades
Texas’ A-F system grades every public campus across the state, through a system largely based on standardized test scores. The ratings have a major effect on how communities view local schools, influencing where people buy homes and enroll their children.
In rare cases, failing campus grades have triggered dramatic state consequences, such as the takeover of Houston ISD. In 2023, Morath installed his own choice of superintendent in Houston — former Dallas ISD superintendent Mike Miles — and replaced the school board overseeing the state’s largest district.
The DMN Education Lab deepens the coverage and conversation about urgent education issues critical to the future of North Texas.
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Conclusion
The potential state takeover of Fort Worth schools is a serious issue that affects the district’s 70,000 students. The district’s leaders are taking steps to address the issues, but the situation remains uncertain. The outcome will depend on the final ratings and the actions taken by the commissioner and the district.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is the current situation with Fort Worth schools?
A: Fort Worth schools are at risk of a state takeover due to one of the district’s campuses earning a failing rating for the fifth consecutive year.
Q: What is the A-F academic accountability rating system?
A: The A-F system grades every public campus across the state, based on standardized test scores, and has a major effect on how communities view local schools.
Q: What are the potential consequences of a state takeover?
A: The commissioner may appoint a board of managers to govern the district or order the closure of a consistently failing campus, which could lead to serious consequences for the district’s students and community.
Q: What is the district doing to address the issue?
A: The district is appealing the rating and implementing a restructured literacy and math curriculum framework to improve student outcomes.
