Latest news with #MikeMorath
CBS News
4 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
Fort Worth ISD under review for possible state takeover
Could Fort Worth ISD become the next Texas school district to fall under state control? After five consecutive years of failing ratings at Forest Oak Sixth Grade Center, state officials say a takeover is still on the table. The issue came up during a Texas Senate Education Committee meeting Wednesday, with lawmakers and education leaders signaling a decision could come soon. "They are still, as I understand it, the lowest performing large school district in the state," said state Sen. Phil King, R-Weatherford. Education Commissioner Mike Morath confirmed the agency is actively evaluating the district's future. "We are actively evaluating that decision now," Morath said. "I will say this fall, we will have a resolution on that one way or another." To understand what a state takeover might look like in Fort Worth, Duncan Klussmann, a University of Houston professor and former superintendent of Spring Branch ISD, reflected on Houston ISD's state takeover in 2023. "The board at the time was extremely dysfunctional," Klussmann said, explaining that leadership problems contributed to Houston's struggles. The biggest change under state control, Klussmann said, is centralization. For parents, that could mean a state-appointed board replacing the elected one, the superintendent being removed, and a single curriculum implemented across schools — essentially a much more structured and unified approach to running the district. "This model seems to be working," Klussmann said of Houston's progress. "They've put in really great reforms, they've moved very fast, and they've shown really great test results." Still, he noted, the long-term success of a state-run district can be difficult to measure, and it's unclear whether reforms will remain once local control returns. He said true outcomes, like improved graduation rates, will take time. One of Fort Worth's biggest challenges, if taken over, could be getting community buy-in — something that proved difficult in Houston, where many families left the district after the takeover. "I think the key is, I wouldn't let this be a distraction to your child's learning experience," Klussmann said. Trenace Dorsey-Hollins, a Fort Worth ISD parent and education advocate with Parent Shield, said the term "state takeover" can cause fear among families. "I think they would be upset because of the unknown," she said. Still, she hopes the focus can remain where it matters most — on students. "We just want to see growth for our students," she said. Klussmann echoed that advice. "Stay focused on your own child's education, and if you feel comfortable with where they're at, don't let the noise of everything else affect that."
CBS News
5 days ago
- Politics
- CBS News
State Senator suggests replacing Fort Worth ISD board as TEA evaluates district's future amid ongoing academic failures
As the Texas Education Agency continues to evaluate the Fort Worth ISD, Republican state Sen. Phil King said if the decision were his and a decision had to be made today, he would replace the school board. In May, the TEA informed the Fort Worth Independent School District that the state may take over district operations or close a middle school campus due to five consecutive years of failing academic ratings. TEA Commissioner Mike Morath said in May that the Leadership Academy at Forest Oak 6th Grade received its fifth consecutive "unacceptable" academic rating for the 2022–2023 school year. On Wednesday, during a Texas Senate Education Committee meeting, King, R-Weatherford, asked Morath for a timetable on the evaluation of Fort Worth ISD. Morath responded, saying, "We are actively evaluating that decision now. I've had multiple interactions with the leadership team in Fort Worth. I'll be going back and doing some onsite visits as soon as school starts up. I want to get a good basis for the facts on the ground. We're also sort of analyzing other factors." "Well, they are still, as I understand it, the lowest performing large school district in the state," King responded. "I've got more Fort Worth ISD than any senator. And, I just don't know what the right decision is, but if I had to bet today, it's replacing the board, so…." Under Texas Education Code § 39A.111, five consecutive failing ratings trigger mandatory state intervention. The commissioner must either appoint a board of managers to oversee the district or order the closure of the campus. The Leadership Academy at Forest Oak 6th Grade has not earned an acceptable academic rating since the 2014–2015 school year, according to a letter sent to FWISD. That means eight consecutive sixth-grade cohorts have attended the school while it has been rated academically unacceptable. Earlier this year, Fort Worth ISD and city leaders passed a literacy resolution aimed at helping more students read at grade level. Literacy rates have been described by local officials as a civic crisis, with only 43% of students currently meeting grade-level standards. "Public schools exist to ensure students grow academically, so they are prepared to be engaged, productive citizens in our country. Schools must be safe and loving," Morath wrote. "They must also teach academic knowledge and skills—and do so successfully. I know of no school system leader, be it a school board member or a superintendent, who doesn't desire for students to thrive. But if that desire does not translate into student learning, the only moral response is to change practices." "I don't know what the right decision is either. We're going through a pretty intentional process to figure out what the best course of action is to support students, in Fort Worth. And, I would say this fall will have resolution on that one way or the other," said Morath.
NBC News
26-06-2025
- Politics
- NBC News
Texas' Ten Commandments in schools law challenged by families and faith leaders in lawsuit
A group of Dallas-area families and faith leaders have filed a lawsuit seeking to block a new Texas law that requires copies of the Ten Commandments be posted in every public school classroom. The federal lawsuit, filed Tuesday, claims the measure is an unconstitutional violation of the separation of church and state. Texas is the latest and largest state to attempt a mandate that has run into legal challenges elsewhere. A federal appeals court on Friday blocked a similar law in Louisiana. Some families have sued over Arkansas' law. The plaintiffs in the Texas lawsuit are a group of Christian and Nation of Islam faith leaders and families. It names the Texas Education Agency, state education Commissioner Mike Morath and three Dallas-area school districts as defendants. 'The government should govern; the Church should minister,' the lawsuit said. 'Anything else is a threat to the soul of both our democracy and our faith.' Ten Commandments laws are among efforts, mainly in conservative-led states, to insert religion into public schools. Supporters say the Ten Commandments are part of the foundation of the United States' judicial and educational systems and should be displayed. Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed the Ten Commandments measure into law on June 21. He also has enacted a measure requiring school districts to provide students and staff a daily voluntary period of prayer or time to read a religious text during school hours. The Texas Education Agency did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. Abbott, who was Texas attorney general in 2005 when he successfully argued before the U.S. Supreme Court to keep a Ten Commandments monument on the state Capitol grounds, defended the state classrooms law in a social media post on Wednesday. 'Faith and freedom are the foundation of our nation,' Abbott posted on X. 'If anyone sues, we'll win that battle.' Opponents say the Ten Commandments and prayer measures infringe on others' religious freedom, and more lawsuits are expected. The American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church and State and the Freedom From Religion Foundation have said they will file lawsuits opposing the Ten Commandments measure. Under the new law, public schools must post in classrooms a 16-by-20-inch (41-by-51-centimeter) or larger poster or framed copy of a specific English version of the commandments, even though translations and interpretations vary across denominations, faiths and languages and may differ in homes and houses of worship. The lawsuit notes that Texas has nearly 6 million students in about 9,100 public schools, including thousands of students of faiths that have little or no connection to the Ten Commandments, or may have no faith at all.
San Francisco Chronicle
25-06-2025
- Politics
- San Francisco Chronicle
Faith leaders and families sue to block Texas' new Ten Commandments in schools law
AUSTIN, Texas (AP) — A group of Dallas-area families and faith leaders have filed a lawsuit seeking to block a new Texas law that requires copies of the Ten Commandments be posted in every public school classroom. The federal lawsuit, filed Tuesday, claims the measure is an unconstitutional violation of the separation of church and state Texas is the latest and largest state to attempt a mandate that has run into legal challenges elsewhere. A federal appeals court on Friday blocked a similar law in Louisiana. Some families have sued over Arkansas' law. The plaintiffs in the Texas lawsuit are a group of Christian and Nation of Islam faith leaders and families. It names the Texas Education Agency, state education Commissioner Mike Morath and three Dallas-area school districts as defendants. 'The government should govern; the Church should minister," the lawsuit said. "Anything else is a threat to the soul of both our democracy and our faith.' Ten Commandments laws are among efforts, mainly in conservative-led states, to insert religion into public schools. Supporters say the Ten Commandments are part of the foundation of the United States' judicial and educational systems and should be displayed. Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed the Ten Commandments measure into law on June 21. He also has enacted a measure requiring school districts to provide students and staff a daily voluntary period of prayer or time to read a religious text during school hours. Opponents say the Ten Commandments and prayer measures infringe on others' religious freedom and more lawsuits are expected. The American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom From Religion Foundation have said they will file lawsuits opposing the Ten Commandments measure. Under the new law, public schools must post in classrooms a 16-by-20-inch (41-by-51-centimeter) or larger poster or framed copy of a specific English version of the commandments, even though translations and interpretations vary across denominations, faiths and languages and may differ in homes and houses of worship. The lawsuit notes that Texas has nearly 6 million students in about 9,100 public schools, including thousands of students of faiths that have little or no connection to the Ten Commandments, or may have no faith at all.
Los Angeles Times
25-06-2025
- Politics
- Los Angeles Times
Faith leaders and families sue to block Texas' new Ten Commandments in schools law
AUSTIN, Texas — A group of Dallas-area families and faith leaders have filed a lawsuit seeking to block a new Texas law that requires copies of the Ten Commandments be posted in every public school classroom. The federal lawsuit, filed Tuesday, claims the measure is an unconstitutional violation of the separation of church and state. Texas is the latest and largest state to attempt a mandate that has run into legal challenges elsewhere. A federal appeals court on Friday blocked a similar law in Louisiana. Some families have sued over Arkansas' law. The plaintiffs in the Texas lawsuit are a group of Christian and Nation of Islam faith leaders and families. It names the Texas Education Agency, state education Commissioner Mike Morath and three Dallas-area school districts as defendants. 'The government should govern; the Church should minister,' the lawsuit said. 'Anything else is a threat to the soul of both our democracy and our faith.' Ten Commandments laws are among efforts, mainly in conservative-led states, to insert religion into public schools. Supporters say the Ten Commandments are part of the foundation of the United States' judicial and educational systems and should be displayed. Texas Republican Gov. Greg Abbott signed the Ten Commandments measure into law on June 21. He also has enacted a measure requiring school districts to provide students and staff a daily voluntary period of prayer or time to read a religious text during school hours. Opponents say the Ten Commandments and prayer measures infringe on others' religious freedom and more lawsuits are expected. The American Civil Liberties Union, Americans United for Separation of Church and State, and the Freedom From Religion Foundation have said they will file lawsuits opposing the Ten Commandments measure. Under the new law, public schools must post in classrooms a 16-by-20-inch or larger poster or framed copy of a specific English version of the commandments, even though translations and interpretations vary across denominations, faiths and languages and may differ in homes and houses of worship. The lawsuit notes that Texas has nearly 6 million students in about 9,100 public schools, including thousands of students of faiths that have little or no connection to the Ten Commandments, or may have no faith at all. The Texas Education Agency did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. The law takes effect Sept. 1, but most public school districts start the upcoming school year in August. Vertuno writes for the Associated Press.
