The state of Texas is moving to take over the Fort Worth Independent School District, citing years of poor academic performance. The decision, however, relies heavily on results from the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR), a standardized test that state lawmakers have already voted to eliminate due to widespread criticism that it is a flawed measure of student achievement.
This situation has created a contentious debate, with parents, educators, and some officials questioning the fairness of using a discredited testing system to justify removing a locally elected school board.
Key Takeaways
- Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath has initiated a state takeover of Fort Worth ISD, citing persistent low academic performance.
- The takeover is primarily based on results from the STAAR test, particularly from one now-closed campus that had five consecutive failing grades.
- State legislators, including both Republicans and Democrats, have voted to phase out the STAAR test by the 2027-28 school year, calling it an unfair and ineffective assessment.
- Critics argue that using a flawed test to justify the removal of an elected board is problematic, especially as many districts face budget deficits.
State Cites Failing Grades as Justification
The move to replace the Fort Worth ISD board of trustees and superintendent was announced by Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath. He pointed to state law, which mandates intervention when a campus receives five consecutive failing grades. This trigger was met by a sixth-grade campus in the district, which has since been closed.
Beyond the single campus, Morath highlighted broader issues within the district. According to state data, only 34% of Fort Worth students are currently performing at their grade level. Furthermore, 20 campuses across the district have been designated as “academically unacceptable” for multiple years.
In his announcement, the commissioner stated that the district's current leadership had “failed the students of Fort Worth ISD.” The state's accountability system assigns A-F letter grades to schools and districts based largely on STAAR performance, which determines everything from school ratings to teacher bonuses.
A Test Lawmakers Call 'Rigged'
The foundation of the state's decision is the STAAR test, an assessment that has come under intense scrutiny from the very lawmakers who oversee the education system. During recent legislative sessions, members of both parties voiced strong opposition to the exam.
Rep. Brad Buckley, a Republican who co-authored the law to eliminate STAAR, criticized its “high-stakes, one-size-fits-all design,” noting the anxiety it causes students and teachers. He stated that the test produces “absolutely no information that a parent can understand.”
“We’re using a deeply flawed system to determine who’s going to get their district taken over,” said Zach Leonard, a Fort Worth parent, expressing a sentiment shared by many public education advocates.
Other lawmakers have been even more direct in their criticism. Democratic Rep. Gina Hinojosa described the test as being “rigged against Texas kids,” while Republican Sen. Lois Kolkhorst said the test was “made for people to fail.” The bipartisan consensus led Gov. Greg Abbott to sign a law that will phase out the current STAAR test by the 2027-28 academic year, replacing it with three shorter exams administered throughout the year.
What is a State Takeover?
Under Texas law, if a school district has a campus with five or more consecutive years of unacceptable performance ratings, the Education Commissioner must either close the campus or appoint a board of managers to govern the entire district. This appointed board temporarily replaces the publicly elected school board and assumes all its powers and duties.
Financial Pressures and Broader Concerns
The controversy in Fort Worth is unfolding against a backdrop of significant financial strain for school districts across Texas. Many are operating with budget deficits after going six years without a comprehensive increase in state funding. Fort Worth ISD itself approved a $44 million deficit earlier this year.
This lack of funding has forced districts to increase class sizes, cut programs, and reduce staff, all of which can impact student achievement. Critics argue the state is holding schools accountable for poor performance while simultaneously failing to provide adequate resources for success.
Tiffany Clark, a Democratic member of the State Board of Education representing North Texas, noted that Texas lags behind much of the country in national reading and math scores. “So to identify a school district and say there are several issues in this domain, that speaks to our state,” Clark said. “What are we doing differently to prepare our students for success?”
Arguments for Intervention
Despite the controversy over the test, some officials support the state's intervention. Brandon Hall, a Republican member of the State Board of Education, acknowledged he is “not a fan of STAAR” but pointed to other assessments, like the Measures of Academic Progress (MAP), that also show Fort Worth students struggling.
Fort Worth ISD by the Numbers
- Student Population: One of the largest districts in Texas.
- Students at Grade Level: 34%
- Campuses with Unacceptable Ratings: 20
- Recent Budget Deficit: $44 million
Hall views the takeover as a necessary accountability measure. “This is a check and a balance at the state level that was necessary,” he stated. “This is the state taking accountability and saying, ‘Things are not going well. Student outcomes are too low. We’re going to step in, and you turn this around.’”
Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Karen Molinar acknowledged the district's shortcomings, expressing disappointment that more had not been done to improve student performance. She recognized that the debate over the fairness of the STAAR test does not change the requirements of state law.
Rep. Harold V. Dutton Jr., the Houston Democrat who authored the takeover law a decade ago, still stands by the approach. He created the law to ensure districts are held accountable for failing to educate all students, particularly children of color in underserved communities. While he supports the principle of accountability, he also agrees that the STAAR test is not the ideal tool. “I’m not married to the STAAR test,” Dutton said. “But I do think we ought to have something that indicates whether our children are achieving.”
