August 29, 2025

Fort Worth Schools Facing State Intervention Over Proficiency Issues

News Summary

The Fort Worth Independent School District is under scrutiny from the Texas Education Commissioner due to low student proficiency levels. Despite some improvements, drastic measures are being considered, including the potential replacement of leadership. A coalition of local advocates opposes these interventions, seeking more time for current reforms to take effect. Initiatives to enhance literacy and math skills are underway, yet significant challenges persist, evidenced by a school maintaining an ‘F’ rating. New educational opportunities are anticipated with the opening of a second New Heights Adult High School location.

Fort Worth, Texas – The Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) is facing potential state intervention following criticism from Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath regarding the district’s low student proficiency levels. Morath’s comments were made during the recent release of accountability scores, highlighting that FWISD’s performance in grade-level proficiency is significantly lower than that of neighboring Dallas, an issue he described as indicative of “significant academic challenges.”

Morath has indicated that, despite some improvements in students’ scores, he is considering drastic measures, including the replacement of the current school board and superintendent, due to ongoing struggles within the district. A group comprising parents, clergy, and educators is actively opposing Morath’s potential takeover, pressing for recognition of the reforms currently being implemented within FWISD.

Zach Leonard, an organizer against the takeover, expressed surprise at the harshness of Morath’s remarks and advocated for more time for local leaders to effect change. This controversy comes amidst serious accountability concerns; the Leadership Academy at Forest Oak has failed to meet academic standards for five consecutive years, placing FWISD at risk of state intervention.

Though Commissioner Morath acknowledged some positive strides among specific FWISD campuses that have achieved academic milestones, he insisted that persistent challenges throughout the district remain. Superintendent Karen Molinar has highlighted that FWISD is concentrating on enhancing literacy and math skills and emphasized the district’s recent progress, which saw their accountability scores improve from a ‘D’ to a ‘C’ rating.

A detailed breakdown of the accountability scores reveals some positive trends: the number of F-rated campuses within FWISD decreased from 31 in 2024 to just 11 in 2025. Additionally, seven FWISD schools managed to achieve an ‘A’ rating, demonstrating that improvements are occurring in certain areas. However, William James Middle School continues to struggle academically, maintaining an ‘F’ rating since the 2021-2022 school year, which Morath witnessed during his visit to the campus.

In response to these challenges, FWISD has implemented various initiatives aimed at improving academic outcomes, including small-group instruction and extending the school year for 15 campuses. Nevertheless, in June, the Texas Education Agency (TEA) cautioned FWISD of potential state intervention, which could involve appointing a new board or possibly closing down underperforming campuses.

Adding to the recent developments, FWISD has already closed the Leadership Academy at Forest Oak due to its continuous failures in meeting accountabilities. In a more positive note, New Heights Adult High School is preparing to open a second location in Fort Worth, offering adults an opportunity to earn high school diplomas and vocational certificates at no cost. This new facility is scheduled to commence operations on October 20, 2024, and will adopt a college-style format with accelerated classes, aiming to cater to the educational needs of adult learners in the community.

This initiative stems from Senate Bill 2032, designed to facilitate partnerships between non-profit organizations and educational entities, thereby creating new opportunities within the educational landscape of Texas. As FWISD grapples with these significant challenges and changes, the tension between district leadership and state oversight continues to unfold, highlighting the urgent need for effective solutions to foster academic success for students in Fort Worth.