Austin Schools Under Pressure to Submit Improvement Plans

Austin, Texas, September 17, 2025

News Summary

The Texas Education Agency has mandated that the Austin Independent School District submit improvement plans for 33 struggling schools by November 14. Failure to comply may result in state intervention. Twelve schools have received unacceptable ratings for three consecutive years, necessitating the creation of turnaround plans. The district faces a projected $30 million deficit, adding urgency to the situation. Families are encouraged to stay informed through AISD’s new website as the district also considers consolidation plans in upcoming meetings.

Austin, Texas: Urgent Improvement Plans Required for Local Schools

The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has issued a warning to the Austin Independent School District (AISD), demanding the submission of improvement plans for 33 schools by a looming deadline of November 14. If the district fails to meet this requirement, TEA threatens to appoint a state conservator to take control of the schools, a move that signifies serious oversight and intervention by state authorities.

Of the 33 schools targeted, the majority are elementary educational institutions. Alarmingly, 12 schools have received a third consecutive unacceptable rating from TEA, triggering the requirement for the formation of a Turnaround Plan (TAP) that must be implemented by January 2026. The schools facing the most critical challenges include:

• Barrington Elementary School
• Dawson Elementary School
• Linder Elementary School
• Oak Springs Elementary School
• Pecan Springs Elementary School
• Sánchez Elementary School
• Wooldridge Elementary School
• Widén Elementary School
• Winn Montessori School
• Bedichek Middle School
• Martin Middle School
• Paredes Elementary School

Additionally, eleven other schools have received their second unacceptable rating and must also draft a TAP. These schools include:

• T.A. Brown Elementary School
• Govalle Elementary School
• Hart Elementary School
• Houston Elementary School
• Barbara Jordan Elementary School
• Norman-Sims Elementary School
• Overton Elementary School
• Padrón Elementary School
• Pickle Elementary School
• Wooten Elementary School
• Sadler Means YWLA

Moreover, Eastside Early College High School is required to submit a TAP due to federal accountability mandates. Superintendent Matias Segura has encouraged immediate action for improvement, highlighting the repercussions of failure to meet the conditions set forth by the TEA, which may ultimately result in state intervention.

Families of students enrolled in the affected schools are urged to visit AISD’s newly launched website for updates concerning the future of these institutions. It is important to note that the new TAPs are not directly linked to previously discussed School Consolidation Plans.

AISD has scheduled information sessions to discuss preliminary consolidation plans and draft TAPs on October 9, with an additional special vote on these plans set for November 6. TEA’s accountability framework, largely based on standardized testing assessments like STAAR, has drawn criticism in the past, leading to legal disputes regarding school ratings.

The district is also grappling with a cost-saving initiative aimed to address a projected $30 million deficit, which may involve school closures and changes in school boundaries. This situation provides additional urgency for these 33 schools to comply swiftly with TEA’s directives, all while allowing very limited time for family consultations regarding forthcoming adjustments.

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Additional Resources

• Austin Chronicle: 33 Austin ISD Schools Now Face Overhaul
• Spectrum Local News: 12 Austin ISD Schools Face Potential Closure or Changes
• KVUE: Austin ISD Turnaround Plan TEA Ratings Improvement
• Wikipedia: Austin Independent School District
• Encyclopedia Britannica: Austin, Texas

Author: STAFF HERE AUSTIN WRITER

The AUSTIN STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREAustinTX.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Austin, Travis County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as SXSW, Austin City Limits Music Festival, Formula 1 United States Grand Prix, and the Austin Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Austin Chamber of Commerce and Visit Austin, plus leading businesses in technology, automotive, and retail that power the local economy such as Dell Technologies, Tesla, and Apple. As part of the broader HERE network, including HERECollegeStation.com, HEREDallas.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.