{"id":223668,"date":"2026-03-27T21:32:22","date_gmt":"2026-03-27T21:32:22","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/223668\/"},"modified":"2026-03-27T21:32:22","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T21:32:22","slug":"new-fort-worth-isd-chiefs-plan-to-boost-student-reading-math","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-tx\/223668\/","title":{"rendered":"New Fort Worth ISD chief\u2019s plan to boost student reading, math"},"content":{"rendered":"

I was honored to begin my tenure as superintendent of the Fort Worth school district this week<\/a>. My wife and I are grateful to join this outstanding community, and I want to share my goals and vision and make a request.<\/p>\n

During my first day on the job, I made two promises to Fort Worth students<\/a>, their families and the community:<\/p>\n

No. 1: I will always put students first. Today, only 38% of FWISD students are reading at grade level<\/a>. We can and must improve that. All students can succeed when they are supported, and we will make every decision based on what\u2019s best for them.<\/p>\n

No. 2: I am committed to maintaining the highest level of transparency regarding our work together. I know the Fort Worth community cares deeply and is highly engaged. I am counting on it. Progress at Fort Worth ISD will take all of us pulling in the same direction.<\/p>\n

Throughout my career, I have been drawn to the hardest work in education<\/a>. I have led schools, regions and districts facing persistent achievement gaps, organizational strain and moments of crisis. That\u2019s how I learned that good decisions are made jointly, not in isolation. Real improvement happens when leaders build strong teams, invite multiple perspectives and create clarity around goals, systems and accountability.<\/p>\n

This work is deeply personal to me.<\/p>\n

My wife and I benefitted from a strong education in great public schools, as did our children. Every student deserves the same opportunities we had. I was also lucky enough to have an incredible role model growing up. My father was an algebra teacher, coach and athletic director. At his funeral, hearing former students and families describe the impact he had on who they became was a revelation. That\u2019s when I knew I wanted to dedicate my life to work that mattered in the same way.<\/p>\n

What we achieved in Broward County, Florida, schools<\/p>\n

There was a pivotal moment in my career that closely parallels the work ahead in Fort Worth ISD.<\/p>\n

When I left Broward County Public Schools in Florida<\/a>, the sixth-largest district in the country, it achieved its first A rating in 14 years and eliminated all D- and F-rated campuses. We achieved this while making fiscally responsible cuts to non-school spending and directed more resources into classrooms.<\/p>\n

I\u2019m bringing that same relentless focus on student achievement to Texas, especially for those who have historically been underserved.<\/p>\n

In Fort Worth, my first priority is listening. I want a deep understanding of the culture on each campus and the realities that cannot be fully captured in reports or statistical dashboards. I believe in building cultures of success that are disciplined in execution and grounded in relationships. Teachers, principals and staff are the true drivers of results, and leadership must create conditions for them to succeed. I\u2019ll work closely with the nine members of our diverse and talented Board of Managers<\/a>, who bring decades of Fort Worth knowledge and deep understanding of their communities.<\/p>\n

My North Star for FWISD is simple and will not change: every student reading on grade level, mastering mathematics and graduating prepared for college, career or military service in a system strong enough to sustain that success long after state intervention ends.<\/p>\n

New Fort Worth school superintendents pillars of success<\/p>\n

The work is focused on what we are calling our Five Pillars for success:<\/p>\n

We will sharply focus on academic performance for all students. Foundational skills determine long-term outcomes, so early literacy and mathematics mastery will be our Year One priorities. We will establish clear performance targets by grade level and campus, and we will hold ourselves accountable for growth and proficiency. Instructional leadership teams will identify gaps quickly and deploy targeted interventions. Our lowest performing campuses will receive intensified support, not blame.We will implement a coherent curriculum across the district. Teachers deserve clarity, consistency, and professional development. Instructional materials, pacing guides and assessments will be aligned to standards and implemented with fidelity. Coaching will support execution not compliance, and professional learning will be directly connected to classroom practice. Predictability and clarity will allow excellence to scale.We will build and incentivize the most talented workforce in Texas by recruiting aggressively, rewarding excellence, and creating compensation pathways that recognize impact, including clear routes for top-performing teachers to earn salaries exceeding $100,000<\/a>. High-need campuses will receive strategic staffing support. Leadership pipelines will be strengthened, with principals and aspiring leaders trained, supported, and evaluated rigorously. When educators thrive, students thrive.We will ensure every graduate leaves FWISD college and workforce ready<\/a>. We\u2019ll expand industry partnerships, certifications, dual credit and apprenticeship opportunities. College and career pathways will be marketed as equally rigorous and prestigious options.Finally, we will streamline the organization so that more resources reach classrooms. We will align the budget directly to performance goals, reduce redundancy, and build transparency around how dollars support student outcomes. We will pursue a lean, performance-driven structure in which financial decisions are directly connected to academic impact and long-term sustainability.<\/p>\n

I know when our work is complete, Fort Worth ISD will not only exit state intervention, it will emerge better and stronger than before. I\u2019ve seen it in other districts.<\/p>\n

And now to my request. Please help me do this work by being engaged as parents, business owners, civic leaders and a city<\/a>. I will be transparent and share important information about how we\u2019re doing. Stay informed about the district\u2019s progress. Be aware how this district serves our children and our community. Hold us accountable. Stay plugged in to this process and share your thoughts.<\/p>\n

The work ahead requires all of us to stay deeply committed to giving every child in Fort Worth ISD a great public school education. And it starts now.<\/p>\n

Dr. Peter B. Licata is the newly appointed superintendent of the Fort Worth Independent School District.<\/p>\n

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