News Summary
Lake Worth ISD is collaborating with former Dallas ISD superintendent Michael Hinojosa to address severe academic issues, including failing accountability ratings at multiple campuses. The Texas Education Agency is evaluating potential state intervention as the district works on reforming its academic culture. Hinojosa’s expertise aims to guide Lake Worth ISD through this critical phase by implementing strong accountability measures and fostering improvement through mentorship to current leaders.
Lake Worth, Texas
Former Dallas Independent School District (ISD) superintendent Michael Hinojosa is collaborating with Lake Worth ISD to tackle significant academic challenges within the district. Hinojosa, who retired from Dallas ISD in 2022, has established a consulting firm focused on school improvement.
Lake Worth ISD is currently grappling with severe accountability issues, with all but one of its campuses rated as failing. Among these, Miller Language Academy has been assigned an “F” rating for five consecutive years, raising concerns of impending state intervention. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) is preparing to assess the situation, although specific actions have yet to be determined.
Mark Ramirez, the current superintendent of Lake Worth ISD, worked under Hinojosa during his time at Dallas ISD and sought his mentorship after accepting the superintendent position. Hinojosa’s role includes helping the district formulate goals for its board, conducting Team of 8 trainings, and providing bi-weekly coaching sessions with Ramirez. He has emphasized the urgency for Ramirez to spend time in classrooms to foster improvement and create a culture of accountability.
State Intervention Looming
As Lake Worth ISD faces these pressing challenges, TEA Commissioner Mike Morath has visited the district to review its situation. He acknowledges the district’s long-standing issues, signaling the probability of state intervention. Potential actions from the TEA could include closing underperforming schools or replacing the entire school board. During his assessment, Morath noted both encouraging practices and significant obstacles that need to be addressed.
Morath has criticized previous leadership for allowing low academic expectations to persist in the district, which he states requires immediate corrective actions to support the students effectively. The final accountability ratings from the TEA are expected to be released in December, which will significantly influence the decisions made regarding Lake Worth ISD’s future.
Lessons from Previous Experience
Reflecting on his experiences in Dallas ISD during a turbulent period marked by leadership instability, Hinojosa highlighted that improvement takes time and a substantial commitment from leadership. He understands the importance of establishing a strong culture of accountability to remedy the academic performance issues in Lake Worth ISD.
In addition to Lake Worth ISD, similar academic pressures are mounting on Fort Worth ISD, which is also facing potential state intervention due to its struggles. The collaboration between Hinojosa and Ramirez represents a proactive approach toward reversing the downward trajectory of Lake Worth ISD. With the situation rapidly evolving, stakeholders remain hopeful that these initiatives can yield positive outcomes for students and the community at large.
As more details unfold, the engagement between Hinojosa and Lake Worth ISD may set a precedent for other school districts facing similar challenges in the state.
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Additional Resources
- NBC Dallas-Fort Worth
- Wikipedia: Lake Worth, Texas
- WFAA News
- Google Search: Lake Worth ISD
- CBS News
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Lake Worth ISD
- WFAA News
- Google News: Lake Worth ISD
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
