FORT WORTH, Texas — Three weeks after Dr. Karen Molinar was appointed Fort Worth ISD’s interim superintendent, her plan to improve student achievement is in the works.
Molinar, who has served the district for 26 years, told WFAA her top priorities are student achievement and closing the student achievement gap.
“It’s my time to step up and to lead,” Molinar said during a sit-down interview with WFAA. “Hopefully the board allows me to do that to make the change for our students.”
Molinar, who began her 27-year career in education as a teacher, said she plans to implement a student-centered approach as she leads one of the largest school districts in Texas.
She said it starts with transparency.
“If we’re not transparent about our data, then we don’t have a direction to move forward,” Molinar said. “We need to do more than a year’s growth for every student.”
It’s Molinar’s second time serving as the district’s interim superintendent. Previously, she has served as deputy superintendent under former superintendents Dr. Kent Scribner and Dr. Angelica Ramsey.
Molinar shared her two top priority goals she’ll implement between now and November in order to improve student achievement. First, Molinar plans to send support staff to campuses to work with students.
“We need to intervene quickly to look at our beginning-of-year data,” Molinar said. “That’s the first action step is taking those resources and working with students. They’ll each have a case load where they’ll be assigned students, and we’ll track progress.”
Second, Molinar plans to fill nearly 1,000 vacant seats in the district’s after-school program.
“That keeps our students engaged, we want our students to be well-rounded,” Molinar said.
According to data from STAAR test results, the district’s test scores have remained flat over 10 years. Its third graders have consistently performed worse in the STAAR reading tests than other similar-sized school districts.
“We will see student improvement this year,” Molinar said.
Molinar was appointed to the interim superintendent position after the school board accepted Dr. Angelica Ramsey's resignation as the district’s superintendent last month. Ramsey’s resignation came days after Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker addressed the board during public comment and demanded “systemwide district reform."
“I think we need to look at that as ‘Okay, we need your help,’” Molinar said. “I look at Mayor Parker just sharing the passion that we have… that current outcomes for our students is not good enough.”
Molinar said she knows the city and district inside and out and has a plan to turn the district around.
“First, you have to love your city,” Molinar said. “Cheer us on, say the good things happening, hold us accountable… but then celebrate the wonderful things our adults and students are achieving each day.”
Molinar could potentially take the role of superintendent permanently, but the board has yet to announce the next steps or a timeline.
“Whether I’m here or there's a new leader, I want to leave this place ready for the new person to step in,” Molinar said.