TEA commissioner won’t close failing Fort Worth ISD school

The Texas Education Agency won’t close William James Middle School in Fort Worth following its fifth straight F rating.

TEA commissioner Mike Morath said at a press conference Aug. 14 that the school’s failing grade doesn’t change things substantially.

The Texas school accountability law, passed in 2015, allows for the commissioner to order the campus to close or impose a state takeover of the district after five consecutive failing grades. Fort Worth ISD is already under a state takeover.

Morath said the Fort Worth school district has a team in place that has a plan to improve the middle school at 1101 Nashville Ave, but did not specify what it was. William James Middle is part of Fort Worth ISD’s new Elevate Network instructional model, which emphasizes a consistent routine to maximize time students spend learning, district officials have said.

Ratings are based on student achievement, student progress and how well a school or district is ensuring that all student groups are successful.

“Our real high hope is that the students at William James will see a significant improvement in the quality of their experience this school year relative to what has happened for many, many years past,” Morath said

Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath visits Bell Manor Elementary to talk about the release of the 2026 A-F accountability ratings on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Bedford. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath visits Bell Manor Elementary to talk about the release of the 2026 A-F accountability ratings on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Bedford. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram Teachers and staff of Bell Manor Elementary listen to Texas Education Commissioner Mike Morath talk about the release of the 2026 A-F accountability ratings on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Bedford. Abigail Dollins Fort Worth Star-Telegram