State takeover moves from transition to implementation
Fort Worth students returned to class Monday, Aug. 10, marking the first full school year under a state takeover after the Texas Education Agency stepped in this spring following years of stagnant academic performance and multiple failing campus ratings. Education Commissioner Mike Morath appointed Peter Licata as superintendent and replaced the elected board with a nine-member Board of Managers.
The transition period over the summer produced a series of substantial changes across the district: two rounds of reductions in force, closure of at least one campus, and revisions to curriculum models and how the district delivers support to its lowest-performing schools.
“We are going to make some significant changes. We are going to make some significant gains, but at the end of the day, it’s about what students do,”
Licata said ahead of the first day, adding his intention to “hang our hat on being one of the best urban districts in the state.”
Elevate Network and concentrated resources
One of the most visible changes is the creation of the Elevate Network, a focused program that encompasses 19 of Fort Worth ISD’s lowest-performing campuses. District leaders say instruction at those campuses will be more systematic, with less flexibility in lesson design until academic indicators improve.
Licata told reporters the district has committed $20 million to $25 million in additional resources to Elevate campuses. He framed the investment as an effort to provide intensive support where it is most needed.
First-day tensions and parent concerns
The summer’s upheaval created a mix of apprehension and cautious optimism among parents, teachers and community members. Leaders held listening sessions, several contentious public meetings and a large convocation event at Dickies Arena in the weeks leading up to the opening day.
On Monday, some parents reported worrying encounters at campus drop-offs. At Diamond Hill Elementary, a parent said he and his wife were not allowed to walk their child into the cafeteria for breakfast and were kept from escorting him beyond the front door. The parent, identified in reporting as Daniel Trejo, said his son was placed with the wrong group and had to be redirected to the front office to determine his classroom.
Other parents expressed guarded hope that this school year could be a turning point after a difficult stretch for the district, which included at least one campus that had received five consecutive F ratings and was closed after the takeover.
- Leadership changes: Superintendent Peter Licata and a state-appointed Board of Managers now govern FWISD.
- Program changes: The Elevate Network targets 19 low-performing campuses with concentrated resources and a more prescriptive instructional model.
- Operational shifts: The summer included reductions in force and campus closures as part of restructuring efforts.
What residents should watch this year
As the year progresses, the district’s trajectory will be measured by several clear indicators: performance improvements at Elevate campuses, staff retention and recruitment following reductions in force, and how changes to district procedures affect families’ daily interactions with schools.
| Timeline | Action |
|---|---|
| March 2026 | TEA appoints Board of Managers and Peter Licata as superintendent |
| Summer 2026 | Two reductions in force; campus closures; curricular and operational changes |
| Aug. 10, 2026 | First day of school for 2026-27 — first full year under state control |
District officials have emphasized a focus on student outcomes and pledged to track progress closely. Parents and staff, meanwhile, will be watching how policy shifts play out in classrooms and at school doors. The coming months will reveal whether the concentrated investments and tighter instructional model at the Elevate campuses lead to measurable gains for Fort Worth students.
