News Summary
In response to low accountability ratings, the Austin Independent School District is crafting turnaround plans for failing schools, including Dobie Middle School and College Prep Academy. With significant percentages of economically disadvantaged and English language learners among the students, AISD is prioritizing improvements to avoid state intervention. Stakeholders are urging community involvement in the process as the district grapples with the challenges of new testing systems and resource limitations to enhance educational outcomes.
Austin, Texas – In response to failing ratings in the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) 2023 accountability system, Austin Independent School District (AISD) is developing turnaround plans for several schools to avoid a potential state takeover. The most affected campuses include Dobie Middle School and College Prep Academy, both located in northeast Austin, which are at risk of closure or a shift to a charter management partnership.
The TEA’s recent accountability ratings revealed that AISD received an overall “C” rating, while 30 schools within the district, including Dobie, received “F” ratings. Under a 2021 state law amendment, schools that receive five consecutive “F” ratings may face intervention from the TEA. Consequently, AISD is prioritizing plans to improve these failing schools before the looming deadline of June when proposals must be submitted to the TEA.
Previously considered options, such as relocating Dobie students, have been discarded, leading to an extension of the turnaround timeline. Focus has now shifted to Burnet and Webb middle schools, which are also classified as failing. Strategies under consideration for these schools include a complete “restart” with newly appointed staff and innovative teaching methodologies or potential partnerships with charter schools to enhance management.
Superintendent Matias Seguara highlighted the urgency of regaining control over the educational environment during a recent board meeting, noting the importance of action in the face of these challenges. Current data reveals that Dobie Middle School has a significant population of economically disadvantaged students, making up 86.6% of the total enrollment, and 72.1% of the student body are classified as English language learners. These factors, coupled with the hardships exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic and chronic underfunding, have contributed to the school’s performance decline.
The new STAAR testing system rollout has also played a role in the drop in ratings, adding to the complexity of the district’s situation, with 16 schools reporting a decrease from a “B” to an “F” rating this year. Parents have expressed concern regarding potential overcrowding at nearby Lamar Middle School, which may have to accommodate students displaced from Dobie. A proposed $4.6 million construction contract to prepare facilities for incoming students faced significant backlash and was withdrawn from discussion.
Stakeholders within the community are urging the district to incorporate public input into any charter partnerships that might be pursued, emphasizing the community’s role in shaping the future of these schools. This collaborative approach is seen as vital due to Dobie’s longstanding designation as a “priority school” within AISD, underlining the importance of its success and the urgency for effective solutions to emerge.
The AISD’s current direction reflects a commitment to addressing the educational needs of its students and ensuring that adequate measures are in place to remedy the issues contributing to the failing ratings. As planning progresses, the district aims to recover from the repercussions of the past regulations and improve educational outcomes for all affected students.
Deeper Dive: News & Info About This Topic
HERE Resources
Tough Decisions Loom at Dobie Middle School
Austin Schools Show Recovery in National Student Scores
Additional Resources
- KVUE: Austin ISD Webb Burnet Middle Schools Charter
- Wikipedia: Austin Independent School District
- Community Impact: Austin ISD Reconsiders Closing Dobie Middle School
- Google Search: Dobie Middle School AUSTIN TX
- Austin Monitor: AISD Buys More Time for Plan to Address Dobie Middle School
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Education
- Statesman: AISD Dobie Middle School Update
- Google News: Austin Independent School District
