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Fort Worth ISD parents criticized rigid teaching methods and a lack of transparency from new district leaders, as the state takeover enters its first school year.<\/p>\n
Jessica Ma<\/p>\n
The learning conditions, as their white T-shirts declared, were \u201cunacceptable.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Fort Worth ISD parents<\/a> gathered outside the administrative building ahead of Tuesday evening\u2019s school board meeting. They criticized what they described as a rigid curriculum and a lack of transparency from new leadership, as the district enters its first school year<\/a> under state control.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cWhat we have seen in the takeover<\/a> is not an improvement,\u201d said parent Sabrina Ball. \u201cIt is a massive step backwards.\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n The Texas Education Agency<\/a> took over the district last year, after a campus received a failing grade for five consecutive years. State-appointed managers replaced elected trustees, while a new superintendent, Peter Licata, took the helm. They\u2019re here, they say, to turn around a struggling district.<\/p>\n Related: As takeover proceeds, Fort Worth ISD families air concerns, brainstorm ideas during listening session<\/a><\/p>\n The new administration has ushered in sweeping changes. District leaders want to maximize instruction time from the start to the end of the day. They have installed cameras in low-performing schools.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cGoing back to the old ways, the old days, is not good for everyone,\u201d Licata said during the board meeting. \u201cThat\u2019s why we\u2019re here, and change is hard.\u201d<\/p>\n Concerns over curriculum, teacher retention<\/p>\n In the three months after the takeover began, nearly 800 teachers resigned. More have left after the district\u2019s deadline to resign, with the district voting again Tuesday night to report some to the Texas Education Agency for the late departure.<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n While the district launched an aggressive hiring campaign, many new staff members don\u2019t have teaching credentials. Now, parents worry more teachers will leave, citing micromanagement and stringent teaching methods.\u00a0<\/p>\n Related: Nearly 800 Fort Worth ISD teachers resigned after state takeover<\/a><\/p>\n On Tuesday, parents described what they heard: Teachers fear losing their jobs and autonomy over their classrooms. They\u2019re afraid to speak up.<\/p>\n Now, Vahista Ussery\u2019s children come home, complaining that learning feels joyless, she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u201cThe reason that my children still love going to school is because of their teachers. Their teachers have poured their hearts into them,\u201d she said. \u201cWhat happens when those teachers leave?\u201d<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n In August, the board reported nine former educators<\/a> to the state, because they resigned without prior\u00a0 approval or \u201cgood cause\u201d after the deadline, which could suspend their teaching certificates for up to a year. On Tuesday, the board voted 6-2 to refer more educators to the state. One manager abstained.\u00a0<\/p>\n Most educators resign for acceptable reasons and aren\u2019t reported to the state. Each case was considered individually and was a \u201chard decision,\u201d said Pete Geren, board president.\u00a0<\/p>\n Ussery urged district leaders to reconsider.<\/p>\n \u201cWe need teachers to want to stay in Fort Worth ISD, not because they are afraid of what will happen if they leave. But because they believe this is a district where they are valued, supported and respected,\u201d she said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Asking for more transparency amid takeover\u00a0<\/p>\n Parents also say they feel left in the dark. Earlier this summer, the district changed its public comment policy. Rather than all speak at the start, public speakers now give their comments at three different points of the meeting, depending on when the item comes before the board.\u00a0<\/p>\n Article continues below this ad<\/p>\n Now, only parents \u2014 who can hire babysitters and enjoy a flexible schedule \u2014 can stay late to advocate for their children, Ball said. Board meetings can sometimes stretch into early morning hours.<\/p>\n