Fort Worth ISD Interim Superintendent Dr. Karen Molinar shared her plans to improve student outcomes.
Molinar presented her first report as the new interim superintendent to the school board.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Angélica Ramsey voluntarily resigned in September, which the school board accepted in an 8-1 vote.
Ramsey’s time in office was plagued with public criticism.
“We have been telling you over and over what needs to change, yet you’ve ignored us,” FWISD teacher Meghan Breedlove said during public comments in September.
“Instead of requiring students to behave appropriately and work hard so that top-notch instruction can take place, you provide scripted lessons to tell us exactly what to say,” Breedlove added.
Molinar says a holistic approach is needed.
“Student behavior is not just behavior. It’s also engagement. How do we engage those students? How do they feel? I’m proud to be, you know, part of Carroll Peak. I’m proud to be a Rolling Hills Bobcat,” Molinar said, reported Fox 4.
“They have to be proud of where they go and be a part of that campus,” Molinar added.
Molinar believes that parental involvement is imperative.
“We’ll have a principal committee group formed. I’ve already asked teachers to submit. And more importantly, our parents and students need to be involved,” Molinar said, as reported by NBC Dallas.
Currently, Fort Worth ISD students in grades 3-8 are underperforming, with 42% not reading at grade level and 48% not meeting grade level expectations for math, reported NBC.
“We’ll be working through where we deploy our central administration support staff, and there will be a set caseload,” Molinar explained.
“This is not going to be sporadic interventions. They will be assigned students. We will be monitoring the growth of students through our data,” Molinar said, reported NBC.