The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has taken significant steps to assume control of the Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD). Commissioner Mike Morath announced this decision on Thursday, which entails removing the elected board members and potentially appointing a new superintendent to oversee district operations.
Reasons for Intervention
This decisive action by the TEA comes after FWISD’s poor academic performance. Specifically, one of its campuses has failed to meet Texas’ academic accountability standards for five consecutive years. The district recently closed the Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade, but state law mandates intervention regardless of this closure.
Background of the Situation
- Date of Announcement: The announcement was made on Thursday morning.
- Failure to Meet Standards: The specific campus struggled for five consecutive years without meeting accountability standards.
- Previous Actions: The closure of the sixth-grade campus occurred at the end of the 2023-24 school year.
A local news station, WFAA, first reported on this takeover on Wednesday evening, leading to a statement from FWISD. The district acknowledged media speculation but opted to await an official announcement before communicating further details to families. In their statement, they emphasized their commitment to maintaining uninterrupted learning for students.
State Law on School District Takeovers
According to Texas law, the state can initiate takeovers of school districts if a school consistently receives failing grades for five years. This gives the TEA the authority to replace elected school board members with state-appointed officials. Additionally, the state can mandate the closure of failing schools instead of replacing the school board.
Other Districts at Risk
- Fort Worth ISD is one of five districts facing potential state intervention.
- Other at-risk districts include Beaumont, Connally, Lake Worth, and Wichita Falls ISD, all which have five consecutive failing ratings.
Commissioner Morath visited Lake Worth ISD recently. The Marilyn Miller Language Academy there has also received five consecutive failing grades.
Significance of the Fort Worth ISD Takeover
This intervention marks the second-largest state takeover in Texas history. Since 2000, the TEA has executed eleven such interventions, including taking over the Houston Independent School District, which is the largest in the state. The Houston takeover began in 2023 and was extended to 2027 in June.
The TEA’s actions reflect an increasing trend of state involvement in local education systems to address academic failures. The situation at Fort Worth ISD serves as a critical example of how accountability measures are enforced across Texas school districts.
