Education Commissioner Takes Urgent Action to Address Failing Schools

The Texas Education Commissioner, Mike Morath, is considering significant interventions for the Lake Worth Independent School District (ISD) due to alarming academic performance. The district has seen repeated failures across its schools, prompting the potential for state takeover or school closures if improvements are not made swiftly.

During a recent visit to Lucille Collins Middle School, Morath observed troubling data displayed on a chart in the library. Each clothespin on the board represented a student’s performance on state tests, with the majority positioned under “Did Not Meet,” indicating serious academic shortcomings. Out of six schools in the district, five have received failing grades, as revealed in a letter obtained by NBC 5.

Morath emphasized the need for immediate action, stating, “I saw evidence of significant practice that will result in learning, I saw evidence of significant challenges.” The urgency of the situation is compounded by state law, which mandates intervention when a school has underperformed for five consecutive years. In such cases, the state must either take over the district or close the failing campus.

Brandon Hall, a member of the state board of education, echoed Morath’s sentiments, stressing that children cannot afford to wait for prolonged intervention timelines. “We need immediate action, we need a sense of urgency,” Hall remarked.

Similar challenges are occurring in the Fort Worth Independent School District (ISD), which is also facing scrutiny for academic performance. Both Lake Worth and Fort Worth have recently appointed new superintendents to spearhead improvements. Michael Hinojosa, a former superintendent of Dallas ISD, has taken a special interest in Lake Worth’s reform efforts.

While Morath acknowledged the positive changes being implemented under new leadership, he cautioned that the true test lies in whether these changes would occur without state oversight. “The school board is not brand spanking new, and the question is, where was the urgency four years ago, five years ago, six years ago?” he questioned, highlighting the accountability owed to taxpayers and students.

The timeline for Morath’s decision regarding Lake Worth ISD remains uncertain. He did not disclose plans to meet with Fort Worth ISD during his visit, though a deadline for action is approaching for that district as well.

As the situation unfolds, the focus remains on how quickly and effectively Lake Worth ISD can improve its academic standing to avoid severe interventions that could disrupt the educational landscape for its students.