by According to Fort Worth ISD’s grades on student learning, the district is getting better, as leaders have emphasized in recent weeks.
Superintendent Karen Molinar stated that the district maintained a C grade overall in the August 15 academic accountability ratings, which demonstrated improvements brought about by systemic adjustments implemented over the past year.
As he contemplates a possible takeover that would involve removing the elected trustees of FWISD, she is now excited for Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath to visit Fort Worth schools.
Molinar remarked, “I hope he sees the direction we’re going in.”
But difficulties still exist as three middle schools received failing grades for the fourth straight year, one year short of reactivating the Texas legislation that would necessitate state assistance.
According to Molinar, FWISD is implementing new programs, such as an extended school year and new administration, to help those campuses that are on the verge of collapse. In late September, the superintendent intends to introduce other modifications.
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For the first-year superintendent, the district’s overall improvement is positive.
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Fort Worth ISD improved from a D just two years prior to maintaining a C in 2024 and 2025. Additional highlights include of:
- Seven additional A schools.
- The number of F schools dropped by 20.
- 63 schools improved or kept their A.
According to data from the Texas Education Agency, one out of three schools in the state saw an improvement in their letter grade. 15% of campuses saw a drop in ratings, while the majority kept their prior rankings.
Students’ performance on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, is a major factor in determining their grades.
After school district lawsuits put a halt to accountability in previous years, the commissioner referred to the ratings announcement as a return to transparency.
According to a statement from Morath, today is a return to accountability and clarity. With the publication of the 2025 A-F Ratings, we are reaffirming our dedication to openness and to giving every family access to accurate, easily accessible information about how their school is performing.
children’ lives could change as a result of FWISD’s academic advancement, particularly for the 10,000 children who no longer attend a F school, according to Molinar.
“Every day and every year, their chances for what their future holds just change,” she said.
“Aside from a persistently failing, now-closed school that prompted the consideration, no other schools exceeded the five-year failing threshold for the education commissioner to consider additional intervention,” Molinar added.
This fall, Morath’s takeover decision is anticipated. According to officials, removing the elected trustees and appointing a new board might have far-reaching consequences for the entire city.
Morath is not what Molinar is waiting for. She declared, “It’s full steam ahead.”
“We are implementing measures that can help our present and future students in a systemic way,” she stated.
Turning around failing campuses to avoid intervention
Three campuses got their fourth straight failing grade:
- William James Middle School
- Leadership Academy at Leonard Middle School
- Morningside Middle School
Eight educational institutions began their third year of failure:
- J. Martin Jacquet Middle School
- Wedgwood Middle School
- Eastern Hills Elementary
- W.M. Green Elementary
- Western Hills Elementary
- Edward J. Briscoe Elementary
- Western Hills Primary
- Clifford Davis Elementary
According to Molinar, turnaround initiatives will not be limited to a single school. Changes will also be made to the elementary schools that supply a middle school that is performing poorly.
Some of the poor academic performance was anticipated by district officials.
When it became evident that the campus had approached the trigger threshold, Fort Worth ISD officials transferred Leonard Middle School’s administration to Texas Wesleyan University in the spring.A cooperation between the district and Texas Wesleyan suspends certain accountability initiatives for a period of two years.
Trustees authorized extended school calendars for 15 campuses in August, allowing students to continue attending classes for an extra month after Memorial Day.
What led to FWISD school ratings improvement?
Molinar credited the district focusing students for school gains.
According to her, teachers now keep a closer and more frequent eye on students’ progress than they did in the past. The superintendent stated that teachers make the most of their teaching time in order to avoid wasting any time in class.
Additionally beneficial was the District Service Center’s deployment of administrators to schools. Last spring, Molinar mandated that administrators meet with a small group of pupils three or four times a week.
Molinar stated, “We’re stepping up our efforts on small groups this year.”
By exhibiting effective techniques in teaching, demonstration instructors will assist their peers.
Molinar also anticipates that the district’s revised curriculum, which includes new resources and policies, will improve academic performance even further.
Regardless of a possible takeover, Molinar’s motto will continue to be “putting students first,” she said.
“Students deserve the best,” she said, acknowledging that there will be hiccups as new courses and instruction rules are implemented.
Practicing makes perfect, according to Molinar. You have the opportunity to get better with practice.
This narrative is still in progress and will be updated often.
The Fort Worth Report’s education editor is Jacob Sanchez. You can reach him at @_jacob_sanchez or at [email protected].
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