The pressure is on for two Fort Worth Independent School District schools to step up their game and meet state standards this year. Under a new law, the state could take over management of the district if any school fails those standards for five years in a row.
John T. White and Maude Logan elementary schools are both at risk. But the school district is working hard to help those schools catch up.
Both schools are now dubbed leadership academies, but John T. White has failed to meet state standards for five years in a row. Maude Logan Elementary has failed state standards for six years in a row.
If that doesn't change this year, the Texas Education Agency could send in its own managers to run Fort Worth ISD, or close the struggling schools.
"That kind of worries me, I don't like that idea at all," said Jennifer Krosting, grandparent of a Fort Worth ISD student.
The school district is trying to attract top staff to the leadership schools with financial incentives, including $10,000 a year for new teachers who agree to stay for three years or more.
The campuses will stay open until 6 p.m. for after-school activities and tutoring, and they'll all get extensive updates and renovations.
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Parents are hoping it's the push they need.
"I figured that this would be crunch time," said parent Paisley Jenkins. "You know when you're in crunch time, you perform your best."
There are 12 more schools in the district that the state says need improvement, but that's down from 22 schools the year before. Fort Worth families hope the trend continues in that direction, helping their schools climb out of years of struggle and boosting kids to new heights.
"I'm hoping that this is going to be what's best for this school here in the future," Jenkins said.
Superintendent Dr. Kent Scribner released a statement, saying, in part: "While there is still work to be done, we cannot overlook the fact that 89 percent of our schools are achieving or exceeding the state standard."
If you'd like to find out how your child's school or district is rated, visit the TEA website.
