This material was originally published by Reform Austin.

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The Texas Education Agency (TEA) will assume control of the Fort Worth Independent School District (ISD), removing its elected board and potentially appointing a new superintendent, Commissioner Mike Morath announced Thursday.

The move marks the second-largest school district takeover in state history and follows years of low academic performance at Leadership Academy at Forest Oak Sixth Grade, which received failing ratings for five consecutive years before closing in 2024.

In a letter recovered by The Texas Tribune , and directed to district leaders, Morath said the Fort Worth board had “failed the students of Fort Worth ISD,” citing district data showing roughly 34% of students are not performing at grade level and 20 campuses have been rated “academically unacceptable” for multiple years.

“The inability of the district to implement effective changes to improve the performance of students in the district or at the campus necessitates the interventions announced by this letter,” Morath wrote. “Furthermore, the interventions are in the public interest as the failure of governance is demonstrated by the continual academic deficiencies at the campus and across the district.”

Morath said the state will appoint a new board consisting of Fort Worth community members, and a conservator to oversee academic improvement efforts. The current superintendent, Karen Molinar, will be considered for the position, according to the TEA.

In a statement , Fort Worth ISD Board President Roxanne Martinez said trustees were “disappointed by the decision and hope the matter will be reconsidered,” adding that “Board and Administration have worked tirelessly to strengthen instruction and accelerate student outcomes.”

While state takeovers like Fort Worth ISD’s are intended to improve academic outcomes, they have also sparked criticism. Houston ISD’s takeover has seen measurable student improvement on the STAAR tests and district accountability ratings. However, many teachers and parents have expressed concern over the district’s strict curriculum and heavy emphasis on test scores. Under state-appointed leadership, Houston ISD has experienced high staff turnover, declining enrollment , and the reassignment or termination of nearly 450 employees .

Elected Houston ISD trustee Savant Moore, urged TEA Commissioner Mike Morath to prioritize collaboration with the Fort Worth community. “Commissioner Morath has an opportunity to work with communities, not over them,” Moore told The Texas Tribune . “Restoring trust begins with collaboration, transparency, and respect for the parents, teachers, and students directly affected.” 

State law requires the TEA to intervene if a district campus fails to meet standards for five consecutive years. Similar takeovers have occurred in 11 Texas districts since 2000, including Houston ISD, the state’s largest, which came under state control in 2023.

Currently, Fort Worth ISD serves more than 70,000 students, about 75% of whom are considered at risk of dropping out. Nearly 40% are enrolled in bilingual or English learner programs.