In this episode of Paying Attention, Brent Beasley sits down with Pete Geren to discuss Fort Worth’s literacy crisis and what it will take to improve student reading outcomes. Drawing on his work with the Sid Richardson Foundation, Pete shares what philanthropy can—and can’t—do to move the needle. Together, they examine the hard realities behind the data and why leadership, alignment, and accountability matter.

Brent sits down with Trenace Dorsey-Hollins, Executive Director of Parent Shield Fort Worth. Trenace talks about the organization's work supporting families and helping parents navigate the school system. She discusses the importance of parent voice, the need for clear information, and what it looks like to stay focused on a mission that puts students first.

Mayor Mattie Parker sits down with Brent to discuss the future she envisions for Fort Worth, governing in a divisive environment, and what that may mean for those who choose public service in the future.

In part two of her conversation with Brent, Fort Worth ISD Superintendent Dr. Karen Molinar discusses the district’s upcoming school closures and the extensive process behind those decisions — including a review of facilities, enrollment trends, and campus locations. She also shares how Texas’s new cellphone ban has influenced classroom culture, improving both student engagement and teacher connection.

Fort Worth Mayor Mattie Parker joins Brent on the latest episode of Paying Attention to talk about public education in our city.

They have a back-and-forth conversation about the challenges and opportunities facing Fort Worth students, what led her to raise awareness about the educational outcomes of students in Fort Worth ISD last fall, the changes in FWISD over the past year, the possibility of state takeover, and how city and school leadership can collaborate to drive change.

FWISD Superintendent Dr. Karen Molinar joins Brent to discuss the past year since her appointment and all the changes she has implemented. She shares her approach to improving academic results and offers her perspective on the Texas Education Agency’s potential takeover of the district.

Brent sits down with Leila Santillán, Chief Operating Officer at FWEP, to discuss the new report, High School and Beyond, which shows the progression of three 8th-grade cohorts in Fort Worth public schools through high school and six years after graduation. The realization that only 19% of students achieve a two- or four-year degree within six years of graduation is sobering — and worth paying attention to.