Lake Worth ISD Faces Takeover as Superintendent Ramirez Outlines Progress Amid TEA Scrutiny

Lake Worth Independent School District is on the brink of a takeover as state officials consider replacing its board and possibly its superintendent, Dr. Mark Ramirez, amid a string of academic failures.

Current Academic Standing

The district’s performance remains a major concern: five of its six campuses have been rated academically unacceptable for consecutive years. 3,177 students attend the schools, and the district is under pressure to lift its accountability standards.

Superintendent’s Perspective

“The mood, it’s anxiety, disappointment, and just everyone’s kind of wondering what’s next, what’s next for the district,” Dr. Ramirez said. He noted that despite the challenges, the district has had 65 days of instruction and has seen growth in students, teachers, and leadership. He emphasized that a perfect score of 100 is not the goal; rather, the focus is on the 3,177 students who depend on the district every day.

Data‑Driven Interventions

To track progress, Ramirez’s team created a data wall for each school. “Every student is listed on the data wall, and it has them by level, tier 1, tier 2, and tier 3,” he explained. A clip or clothespin is attached to each student’s record, helping staff monitor performance and move students into the green or blue zone, which represents “Meeting” or “Mastering” their grade level. The percentage of students in the red zone—those who “Did Not Meet”—fell from 41% to 28%. “We have 28% of our students that are at the lowest level,” Ramirez said, adding that 28% of the 3,177 students in Lakewood need interventions.

Support Programs and Three‑Step Plan

Ramirez announced a mentoring program to give additional help to students, and a partnership with a tier‑two intervention program that personalizes instruction. He described a three‑step plan launched on June 1: high‑quality instruction in all classrooms, frequent professional learning communities, and a common curriculum—what he called the most important element.

Classroom Observation Efforts

“We have actually logged over 2,000 instructional walks this year,” Ramirez said. He stressed that frequent classroom visits are a key part of the district’s improvement strategy.

TEA Commissioner’s Concerns

TEA commissioner Mike Morath has called Lake Worth’s failure chronic and said it is time to intervene by replacing the school board and possibly Ramirez. Ramirez responded, “We are disappointed in the decision, but accept the decision. We’re going to help with the transition. At the end of the day, the focus is on students and that’s what we need to focus on.”

Future Uncertainty

“It could be weeks before the TEA names a board of managers and a conservator however, it is unclear whether Morath will also replace Ramirez,” the report notes. Ramirez remains encouraged and determined to focus on the young minds of Lake Worth, saying, “It’s priceless. Our kids are amazing… They have an amazing future.” He added that the district’s mission and vision talk about meaningful connections and that progress cannot accelerate without connecting with people.

Key Takeaways

• Lake Worth ISD’s five of six campuses are rated academically unacceptable.
• Superintendent Dr. Mark Ramirez highlights growth and a data‑wall system to track student progress.
• TEA commissioner Mike Morath is considering a takeover, with uncertainty over Ramirez’s future.

The district’s future hinges on the outcomes of state intervention and the continued focus on student improvement.