State Takeover of Fort Worth ISD: What You Need to Know
Education Commissioner Mike Morath announced a state takeover of Fort Worth ISD on Thursday morning. The state intervention comes after one of Fort Worth’s campuses earned a failing rating for five consecutive years. Now Morath, after months of deliberation, will move to appoint a new board of managers and superintendent to govern the district.
“This action is necessitated, unfortunately, because Fort Worth ISD has just seen chronically low levels of support given to students and very low levels of academic performance,” Morath said.
Morath’s announcement makes Fort Worth ISD, which serves nearly 70,000 students, the second-largest district to undergo state intervention. The TEA took control of Houston ISD, the state’s biggest district, in 2023.
Fort Worth ISD trustees said they were disappointed by the decision and asked Morath to reconsider. “Our elected Board is in the best position to drive the sustainable improvements the Commissioner seeks, with measurable progress already underway,” said board president Roxanne Martinez. “We respectfully ask him to reconsider his decision as we continue partnering with families, educators, and state leaders to keep this momentum going for every Fort Worth ISD student.”
What Triggers a State Takeover?
The Texas Education Commissioner can intervene after a district’s campus earns a failing grade in the state’s A-F academic accountability ratings for five consecutive years. Those ratings are largely based on standardized test scores.
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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. The commissioner can also order a state takeover if a district demonstrates financial or governmental issues.
In Fort Worth ISD, the failing school that spurred the takeover is Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Grade. The school received its fifth failing grade in 2023. District officials closed the campus after the 2023-24 school year.
What Does a State Takeover Look Like?
The commissioner appoints a board of managers to replace the district’s trustees and institutes a new superintendent.
The state agency will call for applications in the Fort Worth ISD community to join the board of managers. Applicants will be screened, interviewed and trained in governance for improving student outcomes, according to the agency’s website. The commissioner has final say on the appointees.
Appointees should include community leaders, business representatives who have expertise in leadership, or individuals who have knowledge or expertise in education, according to the agency’s rules.
Morath and his team will also launch a national search for a new superintendent as they look for someone with “a track record of really turning academic environments around.” He will also name a conservator, who will oversee the transition.
What is the Timeline for When the State Takeover Will Start?
Morath said Thursday that parents, students and teachers should not see any immediate changes. “Substantive changes” will likely come next school year.
He anticipates the board of managers and new superintendent will be announced in the spring.
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How Long Will Fort Worth ISD Be Under State-Appointed Leadership?
After a board of managers has led the district for two years, Morath will have to announce a timeline for a return to local control or an extension of the state takeover for up to two years.
Morath said systemic changes have to happen in how teachers are supported by district leadership, such as how much time they are given to communicate with parents or if they’ve been given adequate instructional materials.
“There is some evidence that Fort Worth is strengthening those practices for our teachers, but, man, we’ve got to do it fast,” he said.
What Other Districts Have Undergone State Takeovers?
Houston ISD, the state’s largest district, has been under state-appointed leadership since 2023 after a campus received failing grades multiple years in a row. Morath extended the takeover to 2027 earlier this year.
Texas currently controls four additional districts: Marlin ISD, Shepherd ISD, South San Antonio ISD and La Joya ISD.
The state has controlled at least 15 school districts in the last 30 years, according to the Houston Chronicle. Of those, four closed entirely after regaining control.
Do State Takeovers Help Schools Improve?
Opinions vary on whether state takeovers improve students’ academic performance.
A 2021 study from researchers at the University of Virginia and Brown University, looking at state takeovers between 2011 and 2016, found “no evidence that takeover generates academic benefits.”
But Morath defends the efficacy of Texas’ takeovers. He has said that in “every single intervention, the results were higher, or at least, no worse after the board manager was placed than before.”
In Houston ISD, the district’s 121 D- and F-rated schools have dropped to 18 D-rated and zero F-rated campuses under state-appointed Superintendent Mike Miles’ leadership. But parents have pushed back against his leadership style and questioned some of his decisions, such as curriculum changes, according to the Chronicle.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the state takeover of Fort Worth ISD is a significant development that aims to address the district’s chronic low levels of support for students and poor academic performance. While opinions vary on the effectiveness of state takeovers, Morath believes that the takeover will bring about positive changes and improve student outcomes.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What triggered the state takeover of Fort Worth ISD?
A: The state takeover was triggered by one of Fort Worth’s campuses earning a failing rating for five consecutive years.
Q: Who will be in charge of the district during the state takeover?
A: A board of managers appointed by the commissioner will replace the district’s trustees, and a new superintendent will be appointed.
Q: How long will the state takeover last?
A: The state takeover will last for at least two years, with the possibility of extension for up to two more years.
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