This parent believes we can’t hide truth about FWISD: Data shows a reading crisis | Opinion
“The truth,” Winston Churchill said, “is incontrovertible. Panic may resent it; ignorance may deride it; malice may distort it, but there it is.”
In a recent Star-Telegram Opinion piece, headlined “Plenty of parents see successes in Fort Worth ISD. Our leaders need a closer look,” some of my fellow FWISD parents lamented the reporting of “data points and test scores.” While I agree that there are undoubtedly successes to celebrate, I believe that data points tell a crucial story, especially for those served by organizations like mine, Parent Shield Fort Worth.
Many of our children are facing an educational crisis that cannot be solved by a fundraiser for audio equipment. While I applaud parent involvement and fundraisers, I believe that authentic parent engagement begins with education and empowerment. Parents need to understand that not all communities and schools are created equal, and it is our responsibility to demand academic excellence in every ZIP code.
At Parent Shield Fort Worth, we believe in equipping parents with the tools to advocate for their children and the community at large. Our literacy campaign, launched in the summer of 2023, provided parents with the resources to support their children’s learning at home. Our high-dosage tutoring program this summer resulted in significant literacy gains for 96% of participating students.
Data points matter. If we hide the truth in plain sight, children in marginalized communities will continue to be denied the resources and respect they need to succeed. Of course we want safety, love and encouragement from our educators. But we must also demand high expectations, belief that children can learn despite their circumstances, and telling the painful truth when the situation necessitates it. There is no time like the present.
We are in a fight for the soul of FWISD as we launch the second superintendent search in just over two years. Again, Parent Shield is working to ensure that students in the lowest-performing schools get the attention they deserve. Black student performance has dipped year after year. Our parents say: No more. In a recent Parent Shield survey of 150 parents, 84% said that the next superintendent should prioritize literacy, and 90% believe the Board of Trustees should prioritize reading.
To be clear, we demand that the next administration focus on significant improvement in academic performance, particularly among Black students; ensuring every child can read on or above grade level by third grade; the release of literacy data and the reporting of literacy scores in formats that are easy to understand and accessible; and major investment in high-dosage interventions as a key lever to improve literacy rates.
We must continuously and loudly address the systemic issues that contribute to educational inequity. This is just one way we ensure all children will have the opportunity to reach their full potential. One thing’s for certain: What gets measured gets done.
