Students from across Fort Worth Independent School District have taken a stand against the district’s newly imposed “Cowtown 12” instructional model. The model, developed over the summer by Superintendent Peter Licata and the state‑appointed Board of Managers, requires teachers to deliver identical, scripted lessons in lower‑rated schools.

In an open letter sent to the Star‑Telegram and posted on Change.org, students of ages ranging from second grade to senior year outlined their concerns. They argue that the rigid lesson plans limit curiosity, force memorization, and contain frequent factual mistakes. Sample complaints cite spelling errors in social‑studies slides, translation errors in Spanish, and even AI‑generated images with obvious flaws, such as a hand with six fingers.

Petition gains momentum

The petition has already gathered more than 1,000 signatures, reflecting broad student frustration. Signers call on Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker, Texas Senator Taylor Rehmet, Board of Managers Chair Pete Geren, and Superintendent Licata to reconsider the scripted approach.

Students say the current system replaces full‑book reading with fragmented chapter summaries. For example, in English classes they are instructed to read only three chapters of Don Quixote, skip the rest, and analyze a summary rather than the original text.

Administration response

Licata defended the model, stating that the district is achieving “pretty damn good results” and that most complaints stem from a few campuses. However, other board members disagreed during a special workshop on September 26, noting that the scripted curriculum remains the top concern raised at community listening sessions.

Fort Worth ISD has not yet responded to requests for comment on the students’ letter. The district’s Board of Managers continues to enforce the Cowtown 12 model, granting greater autonomy only to higher‑rated schools while requiring strict adherence in lower‑rated ones.

Community reaction

Parents and teachers who have earned “autonomy status” report that they, too, are still subject to the scripted curriculum, suggesting the policy’s reach may be broader than officially stated. Many families argue that the lack of novel reading and the emphasis on memorization undermine the educational mission of fostering exploration and critical thinking.

Students hope their petition will spark a reevaluation of the scripted approach and restore a more flexible, inquiry‑based learning environment for Fort Worth’s schools.

Original reporting: Texarkana Gazette — read the source article.