Students will receive double the amount of time they spend on math and reading starting next school year.
FORT WORTH, Texas — In a one-on-one interview, Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Karen Molinar says a major change is coming when students return in the fall.
Starting next school year, middle school students will see increased classroom time in core subjects. This comes as the district is facing a takeover threat from the Texas Education Agency.
“We are restructuring,” Molinar said. “That means instead of 45 minutes a day that currently our middle school students receive, they’re going to receive 90 minutes a day in reading and math next year.”
Molinar says the district has already seen some academic gains. Students showed improvement in the 2023-2024 STAAR (State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness) test results. Reading scores increased among 3rd through 8th graders, with some grade levels improving by 2% to 7%.
That was encouraging news for FWISD parent Ken Kuhl, who has been concerned about talk of a possible state takeover.
“Because I felt like we were on a great trajectory with our new superintendent, with Dr. Molinar,” Kuhl said.
However, the district still faces serious scrutiny. One campus has failed the TEA accountability rating for five consecutive years, triggering mandatory state intervention under Texas law.
Molinar couldn’t say for sure whether there wouldn’t be a takeover or any degree of oversight.
“That is the decision of the commissioner,” Molinar said.
Some parents are asking for patience as the district works to turn things around. Molinar said she’s in direct communication with TEA.
“I speak with TEA. I asked if we could meet weekly to share our updates, share what we’re doing in Fort Worth,” she said. “They have been very communicative back and forth with me as well. And, you know, give me suggestions.”
With the district’s future on the line, the superintendent promised she wouldn’t keep anything from the public.
“I’ll be very transparent with the parents as well as the stakeholders,” Molinar said.
Now the district waits for the next round of TEA accountability ratings — data Molinar said she hopes will show the district is on the right track.