By Matthew Sgroi and Jacob Sanchez
https://fortworthreport.org/
Fort Worth ISD scored worse than it did under its previous superintendent, according to unofficial, self-reported accountability ratings.
Fort Worth ISD reported Sept. 10 that it was a C-rated district during the 2023-24 school year. For the past two years, ratings were blocked from official release. The district’s last official rating, in 2022, was a B. In a statement, the district attributed the drop to more rigorous state standardized testing and other changes to the Texas Education Agency’s scoring rubric.
The district’s overall unofficial rating did climb from 64 in 2023 to a 70 in 2024, though, transitioning from a D to a C rating. The progress signifies a 36% reduction in students at D- or F-rated schools — translating to more than 16,000 fewer students attending underperforming campuses, according to the district.
As the Texas Education Agency faces ongoing legal battles preventing the release of A-F ratings across the state, some districts, including Houston ISD, Dallas ISD and Castleberry ISD, opted to disclose their results independently. Other districts have reported drops in A-F ratings after changes to the state’s rating system two years ago.
Castleberry ISD verified its unofficial ratings with TEA, according to the district. Fort Worth ISD’s news release did not say whether it certified its ratings with the state.
The ratings are calculated using a formula largely based on standardized testing results, graduation rates and college, career and military readiness outcomes, according to the TEA.
District officials are expected to further explain the ratings during the school board’s Sept. 10 meeting.
For the 2021-22 school year, Fort Worth ISD earned an 81 — a B — in 2022, the last year Kent Scribner led the district. Schools and districts throughout the state haven’t been officially graded by the TEA since that school year.
Fort Worth ISD released its unofficial ratings two weeks after Mayor Mattie Parker called the district “unacceptable” for its languishing and stagnant academic performance. Parker and more than 40 community leaders called for a turnaround plan so students and the city can succeed and grow together.
Parker sees a vacuum of leadership in the school district as trustees and Superintendent Angélica Ramsey work through a strained relationship.
“Whether or not they agree that she’s their future leader, I don’t know that, and you would have to ask them,” Parker previously told the Fort Worth Report.
Across all subjects, 1 in 4 Fort Worth ISD students met grade level in state standardized tests in spring 2024. About 1 in 3 students met grade level in reading, while 1 in 4 met grade level in math — numbers that are consistent with 2023 results.
When ratings were first blocked in 2023, lawsuits — joined by more than 100 Texas school districts, including Fort Worth ISD — argued that changes to the metrics used to assess school performance would hurt their ratings.
Districts across the state continue to argue that changes made to both the A-F rating system and STAAR, or State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, after the 2021-22 school year will negatively impact their ratings.
Fort Worth ISD’s ratings decreased by 17 points following the changes between the 2021-22 and 2022-23 school years, dropping two letter grades from a B to a D.
Still, Fort Worth ISD is celebrating its progress in “enhancing student outcomes and fostering equitable learning environments,” the district said.
The district increased its tally of A- and B-rated campuses, adding 13 to its roster for a total of 11 A-rated and 21 B-rated campuses, according to the district. This brings the number of A-B rated campuses to 32, while the other 92 district campuses are rated C or below.
The district highlighted a few campus achievements, without releasing each campus’ scores:
- E.M. Daggett Elementary went from a D to a B, nearly achieving an A.
- Carter-Riverside High School, Southwest High School and North Side High School each elevated from F to C ratings.
- Sagamore Hill Elementary and Springdale Elementary moved from F to B ratings.
“This year’s growth highlights the resilience and commitment of our students, teachers and staff,” Ramsey said in a statement. “We are particularly proud of the advancements in our high-need schools and remain dedicated to providing all students with access to quality education that prepares them for collegiate and professional success.”
Nine campuses, including Young Women’s Leadership Academy, Texas Academy of Biomedical Sciences and Marine Creek Collegiate High School, retained their A ratings, according to the district.
Matthew Sgroi is an education reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at matthew.sgroi@fortworthreport.org or @MatthewSgroi1.
Jacob Sanchez is a senior education reporter for the Fort Worth Report. Contact him at jacob.sanchez@fortworthreport.org or @_jacob_sanchez.
