Fort Worth Mayor Calls for ISD Reform

Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker has publicly criticized the Fort Worth Independent School District (ISD) for its stagnant performance and inability to keep pace with other Texas school districts, particularly Dallas and Houston. In a letter co-signed by 45 community leaders, Parker called for comprehensive reforms, citing alarming data that shows only 32% of students scored at grade level on the STAAR exam, placing the district near the bottom of rankings among Texas districts. Parker emphasized the need for a 'bold, unified approach' to improve academic outcomes and proposed specific actions, including aligning budget priorities with educational goals and implementing targeted support for struggling students. She also noted that the district's issues extend beyond pandemic impacts, indicating a long-standing trend of inadequate progress. The mayor's remarks were made during a recent school board meeting, where she stressed the urgency of transforming Fort Worth ISD into the 'district of choice' for families. Community support for the proposed changes suggests a growing movement focused on enhancing the quality of education in Fort Worth.