News Summary
Lake Worth ISD and Fort Worth ISD in Texas are at risk of state takeovers due to five years of poor academic performance. The Texas Education Agency is expected to announce upcoming decisions that may lead to significant changes in leadership and management. Both districts are implementing strategies to improve student outcomes, including curriculum reforms and prioritizing low-performing schools. Community efforts are underway to advocate for additional recovery opportunities. The current situation highlights the urgent need for these districts to enhance educational quality to avoid state intervention.
Fort Worth, Texas – Lake Worth Independent School District (ISD) and Fort Worth Independent School District (ISD) are facing potential takeovers from the Texas Education Agency (TEA) due to five consecutive years of poor academic performance. TEA Commissioner Mike Morath is expected to announce the future of both districts in the near future. His recent visits to Fort Worth and a planned visit to Lake Worth highlight the urgency of the situation.
The implications of a state takeover include the removal of current school boards and superintendents, or a complete overhaul by appointing state board members to take control over the districts. This potential intervention underscores the severity of the challenges both districts are confronting in their educational outcomes.
Lake Worth ISD Board of Trustees President Armando Velazquez announced that the district is actively working to improve student performance with a unified curriculum across all campuses and dedicated leadership focused on student outcomes. To further this goal, Lake Worth ISD has engaged a consulting firm led by former Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa to help reform its academic strategies. This includes the introduction of a new superintendent and the implementation of curriculum modifications aimed at raising performance levels.
Meanwhile, Fort Worth ISD, under the guidance of Dr. Karen Molinar, is taking steps to prioritize attention on low-performing schools. Seven schools are currently under strict review: Morningside Middle, William James Middle, Wedgwood Middle, Clifford Davis Elementary, West Handley Elementary, Western Hills Elementary, and Western Hills Primary. Fort Worth ISD’s strategy involves not just improving strategies but also recruiting top teachers to enhance the quality of education provided to students, signaling an urgent need to uplift performance across these struggling campuses.
In addition to district-level efforts, local parents have organized community town halls to discuss strategies for improving student performance and are advocating for their districts to receive additional opportunities for recovery from state oversight. The hopes are that Commissioner Morath may consider these dedicated efforts when deciding the fate of Lake Worth and Fort Worth ISDs.
According to the latest TEA ratings release, the Marilyn Miller Language Academy in Lake Worth ISD has recorded five years of consecutive failing grades, with the entire district currently rated at a “D,” despite making some improvements from the previous year. Texas’ A-F accountability ratings assess school performance based on factors such as student achievement, school progress, and the effectiveness of closing achievement gaps, revealing how these districts are failing to meet state standards.
The A-F grading system has faced criticism for allegedly putting lower-income districts at a disadvantage, leading to further scrutiny of the TEA’s accountability measures. In a concerning trend, five other Texas school districts, including Connally, Beaumont, and Wichita Falls, are also at risk of similar state intervention due to repeated poor performance ratings. TEA has the authority to close failing schools and can replace school board members with appointed managers when needed, and previously has taken drastic measures when districts fail to improve.
In light of these challenges, Lake Worth ISD has committed to enhancing academic outcomes and has devised a strategic plan to respond to the obstacles highlighted in recent accountability reports. TEA’s recent ratings, made public following a legal dispute over the state’s evaluation system, allowed for a release of long-stalled performance scores, showcasing the current academic landscape for these districts.
As both Lake Worth ISD and Fort Worth ISD face the looming threat of state intervention, their proactive measures may determine their fate in the coming months. The pressure is on both districts to improve swiftly and effectively in an effort to retain local control and provide quality education to their students.
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Additional Resources
- NBC DFW: Tarrant County School Districts Academics State Takeover
- Wikipedia: Texas Education Agency
- WFAA: Lake Worth ISD State Takeover
- Google Search: Texas education accountability
- Star-Telegram: School Ratings Report
- Google Scholar: school district takeovers Texas
- Crossroads Today: Five Texas School Districts at Risk
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- Houston Chronicle: TEA School Accountability Rankings Released
- Google News: Fort Worth Independent School District
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DALLAS STAFF 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.
