Despite pandemic, Leadership Academy Network turnaround effort in Fort Worth pushes forward

In the face of a pandemic-interrupted learning, leaders from the Leadership Academy Network and the Fort Worth Independent School District say they are seeing signs of progress in the six schools involved in their turnaround partnership. As part of the state-manded turnaround effort, these “1882” schools receive $2,000 per student in extra funding. That additional funding supports interventions like extended school day, after-school support, enriching curriculum, arts education, and stipends for teachers and principals. 

Schools must show improvement by the 2024 school year, under state law.  Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the partnership team remains determined. “Our strategy has been when you’re in the building, and when kids are in the building, it’s business as usual,” Priscila Dilley, senior officer for the Leadership Academy network. “We can’t let any day go to waste.”