Texas Education Agency Considers Fort Worth ISD Takeover

TEA Commissioner's Visit and Decision Timeline

• 📌 Texas Education Agency (TEA) Commissioner Mike Morath visited three Fort Worth ISD campuses to assess the district's performance.
• 🗓️ Morath indicated a decision on potential state intervention, including a possible takeover, is expected within the next three months.
• 🎯 The intervention options are limited to either closing a campus or replacing the elected school board with an appointed board of managers.

Concerns Over Student Proficiency

• 📉 Morath highlighted that student proficiency levels in Fort Worth ISD are significantly lower compared to similar districts across Texas.
• ⚠️ He emphasized that five years of academic failure in a school constitutes neglect, not just a minor setback.

District's Improvement Efforts

• ✅ Fort Worth ISD leaders report progress, noting a reduction in F-rated schools from 31 to 11 this year.
• 📈 The district also saw a 70% increase in the number of A-rated schools.
• 🎯 The TEA's intervention philosophy focuses on supporting the most at-need students, even if other areas show excellence.

Broader State Intervention Context

• 📊 Since December 2012, four Texas school districts have undergone state takeovers due to academic performance, with reported improvements in student outcomes.
• ⚠️ Lakeworth ISD in North Texas is facing a similar potential state intervention, though no visits have been scheduled yet.
• 🌟 Morath's ultimate goal is to ensure all students in Texas have access to a great school.