Fort Worth ISD Approves Strategic Plan to Boost Math and Reading Scores, Restructures Staff

Fort Worth ISD's New Strategic Plan

• 🎯 The Fort Worth ISD school board has approved a new strategic plan aimed at improving low student test scores across the district.
• 💡 The plan places a significant new emphasis on math and reading instruction, with a goal to improve current performance levels.

Restructuring and Budget Allocation

• 🔄 Superintendent Karen Molinar introduced a plan that includes converting instructional coaches and deans into hybrid teacher roles.
• 💰 A redirection of $22.7 million is allocated to specifically support reading and math instruction.
• ✂️ The plan also involves the elimination of 19 job titles, impacting over 160 employees, though affected staff will be offered employment options within the district.

Student Performance Metrics

• 📉 Currently, only 38% of students met or exceeded reading standards on the latest STAR test.
• 📚 Just 35% of students are reading at grade level, and only 26% meet math standards.
• 🎓 In Algebra 1, a key indicator for college readiness, only 19% of students meet standards.

Board Approval and Implementation

• ✅ The restructuring plan was unanimously approved by the school board with an 8-0 vote.
• ⚡ Board members expressed a sense of urgency and praised the plan's potential return on investment for students' lives.
• 🗓️ Job and budget changes are set to take effect on the first day of school.