Fort Worth ISD board is off to a good start. How parents can help | Opinion
I am a mother of four children, two of whom attend Fort Worth ISD schools. I am also a proud Fort Worth resident and a graduate of Dunbar High School. Like many parents, I always cared deeply about my children’s education, but for a long time, I did not know how to advocate effectively when I saw gaps in the quality of what they were receiving.
That changed when an organizer for Parent Shield, a group that helps parents advocate for their children, invited me to attend a school board meeting.
Sitting in that room for the first time, I experienced something I had not fully understood before: the power of parents’ voices. I watched parents speak up, raise concerns and shape conversations, especially around literacy. It became clear that the decisions being made in that room directly affected my children and tens of thousands of others across the district. At that moment, I knew I could no longer stay on the sidelines.
Before I became actively engaged, I believed our district’s elected trustees were doing a good job. They were visible, well-known and present in the community. Like many, I equated that visibility with effectiveness. But attending meetings and digging deeper into the district’s challenges, particularly those affecting my community, shifted my perspective.
I began to realize that familiarity does not always equal progress. When I looked at student outcomes, I did not see the level of improvement our children deserved, especially when compared to other areas.
The recent state intervention has brought significant change, including the appointment of a new board and superintendent. Walking into recent meetings, I was not sure what to expect. But I left feeling something I had not felt before — hope.
I saw a level of professionalism, focus and willingness to listen that stood out. The board demonstrated a clear understanding of two critical issues, the gaps in student achievement across areas of the district and the urgent need for transparency with the public. More importantly, they responded to concerns in real time. That responsiveness matters. It builds trust and shows that community voices are not just heard, they are valued.
But let me be clear: No board, appointed or elected, can do this work alone.
Parents must remain engaged. We are the ones who see the real impact of policies every single day. We hear directly from our children about what is working and what is not. That insight is powerful and necessary. When we bring that information back to decision makers, we help shape better outcomes and hold leadership accountable. Engaged parents are not just participants in the system, we are drivers of change.
My hope for this intervention is simple but urgent. All children in Fort Worth deserves access to a high quality education, no matter their ZIP codes.
That means closing or revamping schools that underperform and ensuring equitable access to strong academic programs within our communities. It means expanding opportunities such as dual language programs at the elementary level and offering more diverse academic pathways beyond trades starting as early as middle school. Our children deserve options that prepare them for whatever future they choose.
I believe in our students. I believe in their potential. But belief alone is not enough.
It is the district’s responsibility to match that potential with meaningful investment, high expectations and a commitment to transparency. And it is the responsibility of parents, people like me, to stay informed, stay engaged and keep showing up.
Because when parents show up, change happens.
Adrienne Haynes is a Fort Worth ISD parent.
