As the Fort Worth Independent School District contends with students’ failure to meet grade-level standards, Mayor Mattie Parker has called on the district to make changes.
In a letter to Fort Worth ISD’s school board, Parker states that as the city has grown the district has not “kept pace with our city’s rapid ascent.”
“The data tells a sobering story: our district has consistently lagged behind other large Texas school systems. In Spring 2024, our students trailed 11 percentage points behind Dallas ISD, 14 behind Houston ISD, and 18 behind Brownsville ISD. Furthermore, when we look at the 24 public school systems serving more than 20,000 students in Texas with a similar student population, Fort Worth ISD is ranked third from the bottom at number 22 out of 24 districts, a 25 percentage point gap from the top of the list,” reads Parker’s letter.
Texas Scorecard recently reported that Fort Worth students in traditional and charter public schools are not meeting grade-level standards. A report showed overall only 35 percent of students in grades three through eight perform at grade level.
“These results are unacceptable. For our city’s children, these results can significantly narrow their ability to access the life and the opportunities that they want and deserve. And for our city, there are significant long-term consequences in the areas of workforce, economic development, poverty, public health, and much more,” Parker’s letter continued.
With all the academic problems, Parker and several other stakeholders in the city are calling on the school board to “urgently adopt a governance model that drives a clear, actionable turnaround strategy with measurable outcomes.”
They asked the board to:
- Develop clear and ambitious goals focused on student achievement.
- Align the goals with budget priorities informed by a thorough audit.
- Implement high-quality instruction across every classroom.
- Prioritize academic interventions for students who are falling behind.
- Conduct a comprehensive personnel audit, implement targeted evaluation plans, and develop compensation programs that support and retain top educators.
- Pause any further bond expenditure until a thoughtful district facilities plan is developed that enhances teacher capacity and student resources.
“Together, we can create a future where our city continues to thrive, and every Fort Worth family can confidently choose our public schools, knowing their children will receive a world-class education. Thank you, for your dedication to serving on the school board. Let us seize this moment to lead Fort Worth to new heights, together,” concluded Parker.
After sending the letter, Parker attended the school board meeting to encourage trustees to implement the aforementioned model.
“My intention with my remarks tonight, and by asking our community leaders who are here with me to attend in solidarity is to demonstrate to you that we are all part of a movement towards a radical change for our kids, in partnership with each of you, on behalf of our entire city, I’m calling for bold, unified approach to turn our schools around and become the district of choice for our families,” said Parker. “We know radical and transformational change is possible. Please let this moment be your catalyst.”
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