{"id":183923,"date":"2025-08-29T04:47:28","date_gmt":"2025-08-29T04:47:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/183923\/"},"modified":"2025-08-29T04:47:28","modified_gmt":"2025-08-29T04:47:28","slug":"tea-commissioner-visits-fwisd-schools-as-state-takeover-decision-nears","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/us\/183923\/","title":{"rendered":"TEA commissioner visits FWISD schools as state takeover decision nears"},"content":{"rendered":"

English teacher Nady Khalil stretched his arm across a poster-sized sheet of paper with seven stanzas written in red ink and asked six seventh graders to read as the Texas education commissioner observed<\/a>.<\/p>\n

The William James Middle School students glanced at one another while waiting for someone to speak first.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you read this one?\u201d Khalil asked students as Commissioner Mike Morath folded his arms and rested his index finger and thumb on his chin.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Similar scenes repeated throughout Thursday when Morath visited three Fort Worth schools as he considers launching the second-largest district takeover in Texas history<\/a> because of failing state academic accountability ratings. The commissioner said he saw highs and lows in how well educators taught and crafted lessons.<\/p>\n

In the William James classroom filled with students learning English, Morath pulled up a chair as Khalil guided students through a poem. Angelo, a student who immigrated to the United States, recited the stanzas.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe like to play soccer. Mr. Khalil is from Egypt. Angelo is from Uganda,\u201d Angelo read to his group. \u201cWe go to WJMS. We are one world.\u201d<\/p>\n

\"\"English teacher Nady Khalil works with students during class in Fort Worth ISD\u2019s William James Middle School on Aug. 28, 2025. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report\/CatchLight Local\/Report for America)<\/p>\n

Khalil celebrated his student\u2019s win. Morath smiled, stood up and joined FWISD Superintendent Karen Molinar<\/a> with her group of students across the room.<\/p>\n

In a statement, Molinar said she welcomed the commissioner and appreciated him seeing students\u2019 progress firsthand. She stressed bold, strategic actions are already paying off.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe are confident the momentum will continue,\u201d the superintendent said.<\/p>\n

For teachers, they see these achievements, big and small, every day in their classroom, Khalil said. He has seen more improvements in the past year than in his previous 11 years as a FWISD educator, he said.<\/p>\n

Leaders of the 67,500-student district are encouraged by overall progress in STAAR<\/a> and accountability grades<\/a>. However, challenges remain as James and Leonard middle schools this year received their fourth straight F. One more failing grade would trigger the state\u2019s intervention law again.<\/p>\n

For Khalil, this school year shows promise. FWISD introduced block schedules for middle schools<\/a> that double the amount of time students spend in reading and math classes.<\/p>\n

\u201cGive our kids another chance, another year,\u201d Khalil said.<\/p>\n

What happens if a state takeover of FWISD occurs?<\/p>\n

Another year may be off the table.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Morath described Texas law as clear: He is required to close a school that\u2019s failed five consecutive years or replace the elected board of trustees. Fort Worth ISD officials preemptively closed the failing <\/a>campus that triggered the law.\u00a0<\/p>\n

A decision on a takeover will happen within the next three months, Morath said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Over the past 20 years, Fort Worth ISD frequently changed priorities<\/a> for teachers that stretched between superintendents<\/a> and slates of elected trustees, Morath said.\u00a0<\/p>\n

\"\"Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath talks with local and state education officials in the hallway of Fort Worth ISD\u2019s William James Middle School on Aug. 28, 2025. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report\/CatchLight Local\/Report for America)<\/p>\n

FWISD would not be in this situation if local leadership made the right, consistent decisions in the first place, Morath stressed.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe challenge here in Fort Worth is you see a level of student proficiency that is much lower than what we see in similar environments in districts across the state,\u201d the commissioner said.<\/p>\n

If a takeover occurs, Morath said he is required to name appointees to the board of managers and to the superintendent position at the same time. In Houston, Morath replaced the superintendent<\/a> of two years and that district\u2019s trustees when the state took control in 2023.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The appointed board and superintendent would then make changes quickly to stabilize the district, Morath said.<\/p>\n

\u2018Do what\u2019s best for the students\u2019<\/p>\n

Morath exited Khalil\u2019s class and joined a gaggle of top FWISD administrators and Texas Education Agency officials in the hallway. Their hushed chatter focused on student performance data pulled up on an iPad.<\/p>\n

After a few moments, Morath headed downstairs to Cindy Ortega\u2019s math class.<\/p>\n

\"\"Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath discusses his visit to Fort Worth ISD during a news conference in William James Middle School\u2019s library on Aug. 28, 2025. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report\/CatchLight Local\/Report for America)<\/p>\n

\u201cWhich way is clockwise?\u201d Ortega asked four students. One circled her arm to the right to show her teacher the direction.<\/p>\n

Brandon Hall, a Republican State Board of Education member who represents parts of Fort Worth, watched Ortega help students through their math problems. Throughout all the classes he joined, Hall said teachers were giving a good effort to turn things around. He was encouraged.<\/p>\n

However, Hall wasn\u2019t sure which way Morath was leaning. With so many children struggling in Fort Worth ISD, the commissioner must take a really hard look at what is right for their success, Hall said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe just need to do what\u2019s best for the students,\u201d Hall said.<\/p>\n

Where will FWISD go next?<\/p>\n

\"\"Local and state education officials walk to their cars outside Fort Worth ISD\u2019s William James Middle School on Aug. 28, 2025. (Maria Crane | Fort Worth Report\/CatchLight Local\/Report for America)<\/p>\n

Morath climbed down the stairs on the south side of William James to chat with the superintendent and others. The circle split up, with each group walking to their cars.<\/p>\n

Morath, Molinar and two other district leaders slid into the superintendent\u2019s pearl white SUV and shut the doors.\u00a0<\/p>\n

Molinar drove down Nashville Avenue as it merged into Thrall Street. She turned onto Rosedale Street and traveled west.\u00a0<\/p>\n

The man riding shotgun will decide the district\u2019s next direction.<\/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

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