Texas Lawmaker on Fort Worth ISD State Takeover and School Funding

State Takeover of Fort Worth ISD

• 🏛️ State Representative Ramon Romero, Jr. expresses disappointment with the Texas Education Agency's (TEA) decision to take over Fort Worth ISD.
• 🤝 He emphasizes the need for unity and a focus on putting children and their futures first, despite existing partisanship.
• 😔 Romero apologizes to parents for the district's past failures, particularly in students not reaching reading levels by high school.

Local Control vs. State Intervention

• 📉 The representative acknowledges that local control may not have been working, citing issues like the START test and challenges faced by teachers post-pandemic.
• 👨‍👩‍👧‍👦 He highlights the need for parental involvement, noting that many parents are not comfortable with the shift to online communication and resources.
• 🎯 Romero argues that a failure at a single campus should not justify a takeover of the entire district, especially when there are many successful schools within Fort Worth ISD.

Future of Leadership and Education

• 👩‍🏫 Romero hopes that Dr. Karen Molinar, the former superintendent, will be seriously considered for the superintendent position due to her experience and respect among educators.
• 🧑‍💼 He desires a board of managers that includes Fort Worth residents with firsthand experience, but also welcomes national or statewide thought leaders in education to bring new vision.
• 🌍 The incoming board must have a love for education and children, and an understanding of how the education system must change with the times.

Underfunding and Systemic Failures

• 💰 Romero strongly agrees that schools have been grossly underfunded, leading to a lack of resources for extracurricular activities, robotics programs, and basic supplies.
• 🍎 He criticizes the state for being at the bottom of per-pupil funding and diverting money to private and charter schools, which can draw students away from public schools.
• 🧑‍🏫 The representative believes the state has failed taxpayers by not providing a quality education and that teacher pay raises are deserved, as many teachers leave the profession due to feeling undervalued.

Reforming Testing and Improving Outcomes

• 📝 Romero suggests the STAR test is too high-stakes and should be eliminated, but acknowledges the importance of literacy for preventing homelessness and ensuring future success.
• 🤝 He calls for a collective effort from the business community, religious leaders, individuals, teachers, and parents to turn Fort Worth ISD around and ensure students never remain at the bottom of learning outcomes.