Fort Worth ISD State Takeover: Understanding the Performance Issues

State Law and Unacceptable Performance

• 🎯 State law mandates that if a campus receives an unacceptable performance rating for five consecutive school years, the commissioner must either appoint a board of managers or close the campus.
• ⚠️ This provision was triggered by the performance of the former Leadership Academy at Forest Oak 6th grade.

Historical Performance of Forest Oak 6th Grade

• 📊 The campus, initially Glen Crest Sixth Grade School, received ratings of "improvement required" in 2016 and 2017, with low scores in student achievement, progress, and closing gaps.
• 📈 After the adoption of the A-through-F grading system in 2017, the school consistently received failing grades, ranging from a 53 in 2018 to a 59 in 2023.
• 🚫 Grades were not issued in 2020 and 2021 due to COVID-19.
• 💡 In 2022, the school scored a 58, which was failing, but a law allowed schools below 70 to not be rated. However, the 2023 score of 59 was an F, marking the fifth consecutive unacceptable score when looking back to 2016, even accounting for pandemic and legislative changes.

Fort Worth ISD's Proactive Decision

• ✂️ Fort Worth ISD proactively decided to close the school after the 2023-2024 school year.
• 🏛️ Despite the district's closure decision, Commissioner Morath has indicated it will not affect his decision regarding state action for the district.