School District Facing Texas State Control: Essential Information for Parents
In a potential shakeup for the education systems in Texas, Commissioner Mike Morath is contemplating taking control of Fort Worth Independent School District (FWISD) and Lake Worth Independent School District. This decision comes as a result of persistent low academic performance and other issues in both districts.
According to state law, a school district is at risk of takeover if it receives a failing grade in the state's A-F accountability ratings for five consecutive years. Both FWISD and Lake Worth ISD have been struggling with this issue for several years. FWISD, for instance, has seen five years of failing accountability grades at the now-closed Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade. Meanwhile, Lake Worth ISD is facing a potential takeover due to the Marilyn Miller Language Academy failing for a fifth consecutive year.
If Commissioner Morath decides to take control, the implications are significant. The elected school boards would be replaced with appointed boards of managers who would oversee district management and decisions. These boards are tasked with making critical decisions about the district's future direction, budgeting, and operations. They often focus on rapid improvement to meet state standards, which can involve closing or restructuring failing campuses and implementing reforms to raise academic performance.
For students, this could mean more direct state oversight aiming to improve academic outcomes, including interventions designed to address failing schools or campuses within the districts. For employees (teachers and staff), the change in governance could lead to shifts in district policies, leadership priorities, and administrative structures, potentially affecting job security, working conditions, or professional expectations under the new board.
Commissioner Morath, who was appointed by Gov. Greg Abbott in January 2016, has already demonstrated his willingness to take drastic action. During the takeover of Houston Independent School District, the largest in the state, he replaced the school trustees and superintendent. The state took control of Houston ISD in 2023 and has since extended the takeover for two more years.
Morath expects to make a decision regarding potential takeovers in FWISD and Lake Worth ISD this fall. If the takeovers do occur, the appointed boards of managers will serve for two years unless the education commissioner extends the takeover.
In summary, if Commissioner Morath decides to take control, students may experience changes meant to boost academic performance, employees might face administrative upheaval or policy changes, and overall governance will be centralized under an appointed board replacing elected trustees, emphasizing state-directed accountability and improvement efforts.
[1] Texas Education Agency. (n.d.). School District Takeovers. Retrieved from https://tea.texas.gov/About_TEA/News_Media_Relations/Press_Releases/2021/School_District_Takeovers
[2] Texas Education Agency. (n.d.). School District Accountability Ratings. Retrieved from https://tea.texas.gov/About_TEA/Academic_and_Student_Support/Accountability/Accountability_Reports/District_and_Campus_Report_Cards
[3] Texas Education Agency. (n.d.). School District Improvement. Retrieved from https://tea.texas.gov/About_TEA/Academic_and_Student_Support/Accountability/Accountability_Reports/School_District_Improvement
[4] Texas Education Agency. (n.d.). Board of Managers. Retrieved from https://tea.texas.gov/About_TEA/Academic_and_Student_Support/Accountability/Accountability_Reports/School_District_Improvement/Board_of_Managers
[5] Texas Education Agency. (n.d.). District Improvement Plans. Retrieved from https://tea.texas.gov/About_TEA/Academic_and_Student_Support/Accountability/Accountability_Reports/District_Improvement_Plans
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