12/19 ReadRise newsletter

December 19, 2024

FEATURED NEWS

Fort Worth ISD encourages community support for school staff; discusses plan for literacy

 
  • Literacy as the Foundation for Improvement: The school board unanimously approved an initial resolution prioritizing grade-level literacy for all students. The plan includes measurable benchmarks, evidence-based strategies, and regular parent reports to track literacy progress. School board members emphasized that literacy is not just an educational goal but a solution to broader community issues like poverty, crime, and economic opportunity.

  • Focused Interventions and Accountability: Molinar reported significant district-wide efforts to close achievement gaps, including 2,200 hours of tutoring focused primarily on reading. The district is closely tracking intervention data to evaluate progress and ensure accountability. Trustees stressed that the literacy plan must have long-term implementation, regardless of leadership changes, to drive sustained improvement for Fort Worth students.
Read more here

Fort Worth ISD Leaders Admit District Has a Literacy Crisis

  • Interim Superintendent Karen Molinar and Board President Roxanne Martinez admitted the district is in a literacy crisis, with only 35% of students in grades three through eight performing at grade level and fewer than half reading at grade level. Both leaders emphasized the urgency of intervention and the need for long-term strategies to address the problem.

  • Martinez highlighted the board’s accountability for the district’s shortcomings and outlined plans to adopt ambitious, evidence-based literacy goals as the district’s top priority. Molinar and Martinez aim to engage the community in these efforts, focusing on transformation and sustainable improvement.

  • While district leaders emphasized the need for systemic change, some community members expressed skepticism about the district’s intentions and strategies, fearing profit-driven motives and inadequate focus on addressing inequities in low-income schools. Concerns were raised about potential data misuse and the lack of detailed plans shared with the public.
Read more here
Events coming up
  • Dec. 19: Keller ISD School Board Meeting
  • Dec. 19: Dalworthington Gardens City Council Meeting
  • Dec. 19: Newark City Council Meeting
  • Dec. 19: Benbrook City Council Meeting
  • Dec. 23: Pantego Town Council Meeting
  • Dec. 23: Haltom City City Council Meeting
  • Dec. 23: North Richland Hills City Council Meeting
  • Dec. 23: Aurora City Council Meeting
  • Dec. 23: Trophy Club Town Council Meeting
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At Grade Level · TX 76102, United States