Education officials in Fort Worth and across Texas addressed a mix of curriculum changes, early childhood expansion, and safety concerns this week. The updates cover new state requirements for classroom readings, local efforts to boost literacy and pre-K enrollment, and data regarding youth gun safety.
Texas has become the first state to require biblical readings for all public school students. The State Board of Education approved a statewide social studies curriculum change and a mandated reading list to implement the requirement.
In Fort Worth, the city is operating literacy programs at more than 20 community centers during the summer. Certified teachers provide 45 minutes to an hour of daily reading instruction to help students avoid the "summer slide." A $330,000 donation from the Rainwater Charitable Foundation enabled the city to increase literacy support specialist hours from 20 to 25 per week at Camp Fort Worth sites.
Castleberry ISD is running the Camp Discovery: Pre-K Jumpstart program to help incoming pre-K students adjust to school routines. The half-day program runs from late May to late June. Educators report that students who attend the summer program arrive ready for class in August. Research indicates that public preschool attendance correlates with higher third-grade reading and math performance.
Fort Worth ISD plans to serve more than 200 additional pre-K-3 students in the 2026-27 school year. The district intends to fill approximately 225 seats from a waitlist of roughly 400 eligible 3-year-olds. Additionally, the district will pilot a program at three high school campuses where students can earn an industry certification in early childhood education by serving as assistant teachers.
