In accordance with state law, the Texas Education Agency is taking control of Fort Worth Independent School District following unacceptable academic ratings.
TEA informed Fort Worth ISD on Thursday that the state will take over the district because a school had five consecutive years of unacceptable academic ratings. This triggered a state law requiring intervention.
“Although the release of preliminary ratings for the 2022-23 school year was delayed until April 17, 2025 due to litigation, my obligation under the law remains unchanged,” TEA Commissioner Mike Morath told the district.
The ratings for the 2022-2023 school year were only released this year after districts sued the TEA to halt the release. In the interim period, Fort Worth ISD had closed the failing campus.
Yet, Morath could either close the campus or appoint a board of managers to govern the district.
According to state law, the TEA commissioner can use a plethora of authorized actions if an independent school district does not meet accreditation criteria, academic performance standards, financial accountability standards, or if a special investigation warrants it.
Potential actions include appointing monitors, conservators, or management teams. In severe cases, the commissioner can appoint a board of managers or revoke accreditation.
Morath has ordered the appointment of a board of managers and a conservator to oversee the district.
Following the announcement, school board members from Fort Worth ISD requested that Morath reconsider the action, asserting that locally elected leadership are best positioned to support Fort Worth ISD’s progress.
“Over the past year, our Board and Administration have worked tirelessly to strengthen instruction and accelerate student outcomes,” said Roxanne Martinez, Fort Worth ISD board president. “Our elected Board is in the best position to drive the sustainable improvements the Commissioner seeks, with measurable progress already underway.”
Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Dr. Karen Molinar told district staff and families that the process outlined by TEA will begin immediately.
Mayor Mattie Parker wrote that she is “encouraged that [Morath] has committed to giving Dr. Molinar the opportunity to interview as superintendent, and importantly, a personal commitment he has made to me that the Texas Education Agency will focus on what the Fort Worth community needs.”
The TEA will hold a review meeting on October 30 to appoint a board of managers and a conservator.
The state’s largest school district, Houston ISD, is also currently overseen by TEA.
