Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Unveils Plan to Turn Around Failing Schools

Resource Campus Initiative

• 🎯 Seven campuses in Fort Worth ISD rated unacceptable for multiple years have been designated as "resource campuses" for the 26-27 school year.
• 💡 This initiative, supported by the Texas Education Agency, aims to reapply for these campuses to improve their ratings.
• ⏳ The 25-26 school year will focus on recruiting and retaining top talent for these campuses.

Staffing and Compensation Changes

• 🧑‍🏫 Teachers and administrative staff will reapply for their positions at these resource campuses.
• 💰 Compensation for staff at these campuses will be strategically different from the regular teacher salary schedule, with potential for higher pay.
• 📚 Expectations for professional development and the school day, including extended school days, will also be adjusted.

Specific Campuses and Curriculum

• 🏫 The seven campuses include three middle schools (Morningside, William James, Wedgewood) and four elementary schools (Clifford Davis, West Hanley, Western Hills Primary, Western Hills Elementary).
• 📚 For K-5, the district will adopt Blue Bonnet Reading for the 26-27 school year, an enhanced version of Amplify with stronger parent and teacher resources.
• 🗓️ Adopting the curriculum early allows for teacher training during the last six weeks of the 25-26 school year and summer implementation.

Rationale and Student Impact

• 📈 The reapplication process prioritizes teachers with proven data showing they can grow students more than a year's growth, including TIA-certified teachers.
• 👨‍🏫 This ensures students at these historically underperforming campuses will have highly effective teachers in front of them.
• 🚀 The superintendent emphasizes that these decisions are made to prepare students for the best possible outcomes, regardless of potential future leadership changes.

Communication and Oversight

• 🗣️ The superintendent has informed the Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner about the resource campus initiative and the upcoming announcements.
• 🤝 The plan aims to show the TEA and others what Fort Worth ISD is doing differently to improve instructional quality and student performance.