The district at large is now one week into the first full year under state control.<\/a><\/p>\n So far, Monnig Middle School has seen a \u201c180-degree\u201d turnaround under the model, Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Dr. Peter Licata said Friday during a visit to the campus.<\/p>\n In the classroom, students are instructed and then administered a five-question checkpoint known as a \u201cdemonstration of learning,\u201d Monnig principal Melissa Strom explained. Students who do well move on to separate rooms known as mastery labs for accelerated coursework, while those who struggle hang back for further help from teachers.<\/p>\n \u201cWe have brought in teachers who are experienced, who are passionate, who are well compensated, are who are ready to teach our students,\u201d Strom said, adding that she believes students will benefit from the structure of the teaching model. \u201cThe biggest thing for our students right now is consistency in every single classroom.\u201d<\/p>\n Elevate schools have their instructional models defined by the district office and use a district-assigned curriculum without substitutions, a district-created master schedule with bell-to-bell teaching, and fully district-designed professional development.<\/p>\n Schools in the network are not allowed to bring in outside instructional coaches, and classrooms are set up with few distractions, the Star-Telegram previously reported.<\/a><\/p>\n The model isn\u2019t as simple as it sounds, especially when it comes to younger children at Elevate campuses, one kindergarten teacher told the Star-Telegram.<\/p>\n \u201cThey seem to have forgotten that children have emotions and feelings, and are still learning to deal with that,\u201d the teacher said. \u201cIt\u2019s not all instruction all the time. I\u2019m also teaching them how to be little people in society.\u201d<\/p>\n The teacher added that, during an observation of her instruction on Friday, she was docked points for not having \u201cgood enough routines and procedures,\u201d something that contradicts what district officials told her, she said.<\/p>\n \u201cThey told us we\u2019re not allowed to frontload routines and procedures, and that the kids need to just pick them up by us doing them,\u201d she said, adding that she was told that spending time on explaining procedures would take away instruction time.<\/p>\n \u201cEverything is planned down to the minute, but this revolves around children,\u201d the teacher said. \u201cThey\u2019re 5 years old.\u201d<\/p>\n During a Q&A with reporters on Friday, Licata said, \u201cWe\u2019re not going to negotiate our instructional model and what we believe works and what we know works. We will continue to listen to those that come to us with a really good voice, with concern in their hearts, and no other agenda but what\u2019s best for kids.\u201d<\/p>\n Earlier on Friday, Fort Worth ISD released a statement on improvements the district saw in the Texas Education Agency\u2019s release of A-F accountability grades<\/a> for the previous academic year.<\/p>\n Fort Worth ISD\u2019s overall district rating remained a C, but the total score increased from a 73 to a 77.<\/p>\n Fort Worth ISD said 66 campuses increased their overall accountability scale score from last year, and 43 campuses improved by at least one letter grade. Nine campuses improved by two or more letter grades, and the number of D- and F-rated campuses decreased.<\/p>\n Students sit in pairs while during a sixth grade science class at William Monnig Middle School on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Fort Worth. The school is part of the Elevate Network. Amanda McCoy FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM <\/p>\n
Students at William Monnig Middle School transition to their next class on Friday, Aug. 14, 2026, in Fort Worth. The school is part of the Elevate Network. Amanda McCoy FORT WORTH STAR-TELEGRAM <\/p>\n
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