Six Fort Worth Independent School District campuses that have been identified as low-performing will undergo a state-led transformation starting in the 2026-27 school year to improve student outcomes and avoid a potential state takeover.
The schools — Clifford Davis Elementary, West Handley Elementary, Western Hills Elementary/Primary, Morningside Middle, Wedgwood Middle, and William James Middle — have struggled with unacceptable accountability ratings for multiple years.
Under the Resource Campus Model proposed by the Texas Education Agency, the campuses will add instructional time, expand teacher training, and offer incentives to attract and keep high-performing staff. Each school will also receive a tailored curriculum.
Additionally, all teachers, principals, and assistant principals at these campuses must reapply for their positions. Those rehired will be eligible for extra compensation, while others will be offered roles at different district schools.
“We are doing it now so we have a year to plan,” Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Dr. Karen Molinar said, per Fox 4 KDFW. “This is student-focused for their students. We know they have been sitting on a campus that has not shown the progress that it needs and our kids deserve.”
The district aims to close long-standing achievement gaps and provide a stronger foundation for students. Clifford Davis Elementary, with nearly 700 students, is the largest campus involved, alongside Morningside Middle and Western Hills Elementary/Primary. Additional local and state funding will support teaching incentives and high-quality learning materials.
Steven Poole, representing Fort Worth ISD employees, emphasized the need for clear communication from leadership.
“No one likes change, especially if you’ve been at the school for a while,” he said, Fox 4 reported. “Give it some time. I think you will see results.”
Poole expressed confidence in Molinar’s plan, contrasting it with the state takeover in Houston, where he noted, “A multi-billion dollar bond election failed in Houston, and that was a referendum on the state takeover.”
Fort Worth ISD will hold a briefing on the plans on Tuesday. The school board is also considering adopting the Bluebonnet Reading Language Arts curriculum, developed with Texas teachers and reviewed by hundreds of FWISD educators last spring. If approved, it could be implemented as early as this spring.
Parents will receive further details from the district as the schools prepare for the transition.