In the heart of Fort Worth, where thousands of kids pack into classrooms every day, a big shake-up might be coming. The Texas Education Agency, led by Commissioner Mike Morath, is thinking hard about taking over the entire Fort Worth Independent School District. This isn't just talk; it's based on a tough law that kicks in when a school fails too many times.

 

Picture this: one middle school campus, the Leadership Academy at Forest Oak's sixth-grade spot, got its fifth straight failing grade in 2023. That triggered a warning letter from Morath in May 2025, even though the school had already closed and merged with another one.

 

Fort Worth ISD serves about 75,000 students across 144 schools, making it one of the biggest districts in Texas. Last year's ratings, delayed by lawsuits over the state's A-F grading system, gave the district an overall D. A whopping 77 out of 147 campuses flunked, mostly because of low scores on the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness tests.

 

Those tests have been under fire for years, with teachers and even the Republican Party calling them outdated. Morath visited three schools just last week, saying he wants "aggressive action" to help kids learn better. He's got three months to decide, and if he pulls the trigger, the state would replace the elected school board with appointed managers and pick a new superintendent.

 

This isn't the first rodeo for Texas. Back in 2023, Morath took over Houston ISD after a high school there failed five times. He put in Mike Miles, a former Dallas superintendent known for bold changes but also controversy. In Houston, some say test scores are up and things are improving, but parents and teachers aren't so sure. At one meeting, 130 folks spoke out, many demanding Miles quit.

 

Teachers complained about reforms, and there was even a scandal where Miles was accused of funneling money to a Colorado charter school he ran, though the state cleared him. Houston's takeover got extended to 2027, with Morath saying two years wasn't enough to fix deep problems.

 

Fort Worth leaders are fighting back, pointing to brighter days ahead. Recent scores show the district climbing to a C overall, with failing schools dropping from 31 to 11. They've rolled out new math and reading plans, giving teachers better tools and training. "We're committed to high-impact instruction," the district said in a statement.

 

But critics like Steven Poole from the United Educators Association warn that a takeover could bring chaos, like what happened in Houston.

As someone who's followed education stories across Texas for years, drawing from trusted outlets like the Dallas Observer and Fort Worth Report, I know these battles hit home.

 

Experts from groups like the Association of Texas Professional Educators note that the TEA has stepped into about 16 districts, often with mixed results. Takeovers can bring fresh ideas and money, but they also strip local control, leaving parents feeling sidelined.

 

Here's the hot-button question stirring up debates: When schools struggle, should the state swoop in to enforce changes, or does that undermine the community's voice and risk more harm than good?

 

On one hand, supporters say interventions save failing systems and boost kids' futures. On the other, opponents argue it ignores local needs and creates resentment. Fort Worth families are divided, with social media ablaze over whether this is a lifeline or a power grab. As Morath weighs his choice, the stakes couldn't be higher for the city's kids. Will this lead to better learning, or just more headaches?