By Nisie | May, 7 2025
In 2023, Fort Worth ISD received an overall D rating; individually, 77 campuses in the district received a D or F. Worse, only 32 % of 3rd graders were reported to be at reading level. And now TEA Commissioner Mike Morath sent a letter to Fort Worth ISD warning the struggling school district of a possible takeover after one middle school received an F rating 5 years in a row. With 65 percent of students being Hispanic, this failure is at the extreme detriment to the Latino community in Fort Worth. With only 35 % of 3rd graders at reading level, could that mean we are looking at a future with the possibility of a largely illiterate Hispanic community? To some, this failure seems like intentional harm to Fort Worth Latinos.
In response to the warning given by the TEA, Fort Worth ISD said this in a statement, “We remain focused on bold, strategic action to implement a restructured literacy and math curriculum framework that includes targeted training, high-quality instructional materials, and systemwide implementation. Together, we are committed to equipping teachers with the necessary resources and ensuring students receive consistent, high-impact instruction that accelerates learning and academic growth”. But this is just part of a larger issue. How can we expect students to take their education seriously if the schools are severely neglected? How can you learn in a deteriorating environment? Superintendent at the time Angélica Ramsey received an update on the district’s $2 million master facilities plan, where it was discovered that Fort Worth ISD’s middle schools face $130 million in deferred maintenance needs. Almost half of the middle schools in Fort Worth ISD are categorized as being in poor condition.
Fort Worth ISD has announced a five-year plan to improve reading levels and allocated $22 million from the budget to literacy-related initiatives. So at least there is a plan to improve reading levels, but closing down schools doesn’t fit that initiative. Some parents in Fort Worth ISD have already been warned that their school could be closed to address the issue of decreasing enrollment rates. William Monnig Middle School, W.C., Stripling Middle School, and Kirkpatrick Middle are on the list of schools that could close down. Leadership Academy at Forest Oak 6th Grade has already been closed down and merged with Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Middle School. There is no consistency for the students or their families who don’t know if their school will be around the following semester.
Fort Worth ISD seemingly has a long road ahead now that the TEA is on their tail. Depending on the outcome, we may have more school closures ahead or we might be seeing a new school board and superintendent.