The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has announced a significant intervention: the elected board of the Fort Worth Independent School District (ISD) will be dissolved and replaced by a state-appointed board of managers. This move, confirmed by Commissioner Mike Morath on Thursday, marks the second-largest state takeover in Texas history.
The intervention follows a consistent pattern of academic failure, notably at Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade, which has not met state standards for five consecutive years. Data reported by the Harvard Crimson shows a troubling reality: only 34 percent of students across the district are performing at grade level, and 20 campuses have been flagged as academically unacceptable for multiple years, as reported by the Texas Tribune.
What This Means for Fort Worth ISD
Under this state-mandated takeover, the agency will appoint a new board of managers composed of community members. The Texas Tribune reports that TEA will also appoint a new superintendent, though current superintendent Karen Molinar is being considered for the role. A conservator will be responsible for overseeing low-performing campuses and ensuring that the district adheres to its turnaround plans.
The elected board members will retain their titles but will no longer hold any decision-making authority. The district still has the opportunity to appeal this decision early next week.
District Leaders Respond
The school board has expressed its disappointment regarding the takeover, according to the Texas Tribune. Board President Roxanne Martinez stated that the board and administration have actively worked to improve instruction and student outcomes, arguing that the elected body is in the best position to implement sustainable changes. Superintendent Molinar highlighted initiatives such as strategic changes at seven campuses designed to attract new educators. She affirmed that the district will continue its efforts to improve results for students and has communicated this message to all staff, parents, and principals.
District Demographics and Performance
Fort Worth ISD serves more than 70,000 students. Approximately 75 percent of these students are considered at risk of dropping out. The Texas Tribune highlights that nearly 40 percent of students are enrolled in bilingual or English learning programs. Schools like Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade specifically serve refugee and immigrant students.
Despite the district’s overall C rating, which is considered acceptable by the state, Commissioner Morath emphasized that the intervention is necessary due to the persistent low performance across multiple individual campuses, as reported by the Texas Tribune.
State Takeovers in Texas
The Fort Worth ISD takeover is the eleventh such state intervention in Texas since 2000. The largest takeover to date is at Houston ISD, which began in 2023. Data from Houston ISD shows that students in grades 3 through 12 have improved in each subject on the STAAR test since the takeover began, with no campuses receiving an F in the most recent accountability ratings. However, some teachers and parents have criticized the Houston takeover, citing high staff turnover and strict lesson plans.
Political Reactions
As per the report by the Texas Tribune, Governor Greg Abbott’s office has publicly supported the takeover, stating it is in the public interest and will improve student outcomes. Abbott spokesperson Andrew Mahaleris asserted that strong accountability is essential for all Texas students. Conversely, Texas Representative Gina Hinojosa has called the takeover a crisis created by the state. She contends that Fort Worth ISD has been underfunded and that the state has not provided sufficient resources for public education, as reported by the Texas Tribune.
Other School Districts at Risk
Several other districts in Texas, including Lake Worth, Beaumont, Connally, and Wichita, may also face state intervention after receiving consecutive failing ratings. TEA officials reiterate that the Fort Worth takeover aims to improve student performance, strengthen governance, and ensure that schools follow their improvement plans.