Now she\u2019s eager for Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath to visit Fort Worth schools as he considers a potential takeover<\/a> that would include replacing FWISD\u2019s elected trustees.<\/p>\n \u201cI hope that he sees the direction we\u2019re going in,\u201d Molinar said.<\/p>\n However, challenges remain as three middle schools received their fourth consecutive F, just one year shy of retriggering the Texas law that would require state intervention<\/a>.<\/p>\n As those campuses teeter on the precipice, FWISD is rolling out new initiatives to turn around the campuses that include new management and an extended school year, Molinar said. The superintendent plans to present other changes in late September.<\/p>\n Still, the district\u2019s overall progress<\/a> is encouraging for the first-year superintendent.<\/p>\n Fort Worth ISD maintained a C in 2024 and 2025, which was up from the D it received just two years ago. Other highlights include:<\/p>\n Across the state, 1 in 3 schools improved their letter grade, according to Texas Education Agency data. Most campuses maintained their previous ratings, and 15% declined.\u00a0<\/p>\n The ratings are largely based on how well students do on STAAR, or State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness.<\/p>\n The commissioner called the ratings\u2019 release a return to transparency after lawsuits from school districts paused accountability in recent years.<\/p>\n \u201cToday marks a return to clarity and accountability,\u201d Morath said in a statement. \u201cWith the release of the 2025 A-F Ratings, we are reinforcing our commitment to transparency and to providing accurate, readily available information that helps every family understand how their school is doing.\u201d<\/p>\n FWISD\u2019s academic progress could be life-changing for students, especially for the 10,000 students who no longer attend an F school, Molinar said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cTheir chances now for what their future looks like just changes every day and every year,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n No additional schools crossed the five-year failing threshold for the education commissioner to consider additional intervention beyond a persistently failing, now-closed school<\/a> that triggered the consideration, Molinar said.<\/p>\n Morath\u2019s takeover decision is expected this fall. Removing the elected trustees and installing an appointed board could have sweeping effects across the city, officials have said.<\/p>\n Molinar isn\u2019t waiting for Morath. It\u2019s full steam ahead, she said.<\/p>\n \u201cWe are putting things in place that systemically can assist our current students and our future students,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Turning around failing campuses to avoid intervention<\/p>\n Three campuses received their fourth consecutive F:<\/p>\n Eight schools entered their third year of failure:<\/p>\n Turnaround measures will apply beyond a specific campus, Molinar said. Elementaries that feed into an underperforming middle school will see changes, too.<\/p>\n District leaders expected some of the lackluster academic performance.<\/p>\n Fort Worth ISD leaders moved management of Leonard Middle School over to Texas Wesleyan University in the spring when it was clear the campus neared the trigger threshold. The district and Texas Wesleyan operate a partnership<\/a> that pauses some accountability interventions for two years.<\/p>\n In August, trustees approved extended school calendars for 15 campuses that will see students remain in class for an additional month following Memorial Day.<\/p>\n What led to FWISD school ratings improvement?<\/p>\n Molinar attributed improvements at schools to the district centering students<\/a>.<\/p>\n Educators monitor student progress closely and more frequently than in previous years, she said. Teachers maximize instruction time to not waste a minute in class, the superintendent said.<\/p>\n The deployment of administrators<\/a> from the District Service Center to schools also helped. Molinar required administrators last year to work with a small group of students three to four times a week throughout the spring.<\/p>\n \u201cNow this year we\u2019re doubling down on small groups,\u201d Molinar said.<\/p>\n Demonstration teachers<\/a> will support colleagues by demonstrating best instructional practices.<\/p>\n Molinar also expects the district\u2019s revamp of<\/a> lessons, including new materials and guidelines, to further boost academics.<\/p>\n Putting students first remains Molinar\u2019s mantra going forward, regardless of a potential takeover, she said.<\/p>\n She acknowledged bumps will occur as new lessons and instruction guidelines are rolled out, but students deserve the best, she said.<\/p>\n \u201cPractice makes perfect,\u201d Molinar said. \u201cPractice gives you opportunities for improvement.\u201d<\/p>\n This is a developing story that will be updated frequently.<\/p>\n Jacob Sanchez is education editor for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at jacob.sanchez@fortworthreport.org<\/a> or @_jacob_sanchez<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n At the Fort Worth Report, news decisions are made independently of our board members and financial supporters. Read more about our editorial independence policy here<\/a>.<\/p>\n \n\tRelated\n<\/p>\n Fort Worth Report is certified by the Journalism Trust Initiative<\/a> for adhering to standards for ethical journalism.<\/p>\n Republish This Story<\/p>\n\n
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