It’s a similar story to what we’ve heard in Fort Worth—repeated years of failing at campuses requiring the state to take action.
Hanging right on the wall of the library of Lucille Collins Middle School was a chart with clothespins. The pins each had the name of a student, and were clipped next to the words Masters, Meets, Approaches, or Did Not Meet, referring to scores on state tests of academic expectation. The majority of the clothespins were on ‘Did Not Meet’ in almost every category.
“I saw evidence of significant practice that will result in learning, I saw evidence of significant challenges, I saw good examples and bad examples,” said Morath of his tour of the school.
Out of six schools, five are failing, according to a letter NBC 5 obtained from the Education Commissioner. Because one campus performed poorly for five years in a row, the law requires the state to step in and take over the district or shut down a campus.
“I also don’t think that our kids can wait for those steps to be taken, no matter when that intervention timeline plays out. Like we need immediate action, we need a sense of urgency,” said Brandon Hall, state board of education member.
A similar scenario is playing out in Fort Worth ISD. Lake Worth, like Fort Worth, has a new superintendent. Lake Worth was hand-selected by former Dallas ISD superintendent Michael Hinojosa.
Hinojosa is helping Lake Worth try to change things. He is one of the people Morath leans on to help troubled schools but he made it clear hiring new superintendents and new procedures doesn’t impress him much.
“It’s pleasing to see these kinds of change in practices that are happening. The question is, would they happen without the state paying attention?” Morath asked.
“The school board is not brand spanking new and the question is, where was the urgency four years ago, five years ago, six years ago to say it is our responsibility, we have been elected, we are held in trust by the taxpayers to provide kids.”
Morath wouldn’t say when he’ll decide Lake Worth’s future, but the deadline for Fort Worth ISD is near.
When asked if he planned to meet with Fort Worth ISD while in town, Morath didn’t say; the deadline for a decision for them is near.