FORT WORTH STUDENTS FIRST
We envision a day when every community leader
in Fort Worth is working toward a future of
excellent academic outcomes for all students in
our public schools.
FORT WORTH STUDENTS FIRST
Our Story
Fort Worth Students First is an educational advocacy organization dedicated to strong student achievement and high-quality leadership that improves academic outcomes for kids. We believe:
■ Literacy is Destiny. If a child can read, they can succeed. If they cannot, they face a life of poverty, welfare, underachievement, or incarceration.
■ Every child in Fort Worth deserves access to quality public schools that ensure they can read at grade level.
■ Beyond the school board, all local elected leaders must be held accountable for making literacy the top priority.
Founding Board Members:
Robert Rogers, Anette Landeros and Jeremis Smith
01.
Ensuring the creation of a vision and goals for the district and evaluating district success.
02.
Adopting policies that guide district actions.
03.
Hiring a superintendent to serve as administrator of the district and evaluating the superintendent's success.
04.
Approving an annual budget consistent with the district's vision and goals.
FOUR PRIMARY ROLES OF A TRUSTEE:
EVERY PROBLEM WE HAVE IS CONNECTED TO ILLITERACY
Illiteracy is the root cause of poverty. Two-thirds of students who cannot read proficiently by fourth grade will end up in jail or on welfare.
Illiteracy fuels crime. More than 70% of incarcerated individuals struggle with literacy with over 85% of juveniles in the justice system being functionally illiterate.
Illiteracy hinders economic growth. A literate workforce leads to higher wages and greater economic development.
Illiteracy impacts property values. Home values are directly tied to school performance—areas with strong literacy rates see higher property values.
Illiteracy limits a child’s future. A third-grader reading below grade level has only a 2% chance of earning a two or four year degree.