News Summary
Mendez Middle School in Austin has received a ‘B’ rating from the Texas Education Agency, its first achievement of state academic standards since 2013. Previously rated ‘F’ in 2019, the school underwent management changes with Third Future Schools. Highlights include improved classroom instruction, increased attendance to 86%, and plans to reintegrate sixth graders. Community concerns about charter management and the need for greater involvement have been raised as the school aims for better outcomes and a hopeful future.
Austin – Mendez Middle School in southeast Austin has achieved a significant milestone, receiving a “B” rating in 2023 according to the Texas Education Agency (TEA). This marks the first time the school has met state academic standards since 2013, a substantial improvement from its previous track record of failing to meet these standards.
Previously, Mendez Middle School faced persistent challenges, having received an “F” rating in 2019. The school was under the management of Third Future Schools starting in the fall of 2022, following an 1882 agreement with Austin Independent School District (ISD). This agreement allows school districts to pause TEA sanctions by transferring the operational responsibilities of chronically failing schools to a charter organization, enabling a fresh start aimed at improving academic outcomes.
According to the superintendent of Third Future Schools, the improvement in ratings can largely be attributed to an enhanced focus on classroom instruction. Additionally, Mendez Middle School saw a rise in its attendance rate to 86% in 2023, an increase from 80% in the previous school year, indicating better student engagement.
Under the current charter management, Mendez has primarily served seventh and eighth graders. However, plans are underway to reintroduce sixth graders in the upcoming school year, which will mean that two-thirds of the student body will be new to Third Future Schools. This necessitates implementing additional oversight and support to help these new students transition smoothly.
As a result of the increase in student enrollment, there is an optimistic outlook for bringing back more extracurricular programs at Mendez, aiming to enrich the educational experience of the students. To further this goal, Austin ISD has officially extended its contract with Third Future Schools, ensuring that the charter organization will manage Mendez through at least the end of the 2025-26 school year.
The continuation of this partnership comes with the target of reaching a “B” rating on the TEA’s accountability scale by the 2024-25 school year. While this goal is ambitious, it reflects the commitment of both organizations to enhance educational quality and outcomes for the students at Mendez.
Despite these positive changes, some parents and community members have expressed concerns regarding the transition to charter management. There have been critiques about a perceived lack of community involvement and oversight since Third Future Schools took the reins. The school board voted unanimously to renew their agreement with the charter organization, amid these criticisms and calls for improved community engagement.
Stakeholders have suggested the establishment of a parent advisory committee to improve local input and communication as the school navigates this transformation. Additional concerns have emerged regarding compensation at Third Future Schools, with reports indicating that salaries offered by the charter organization are significantly higher than those in the district, with starting salaries at Third Future Schools reaching $70,000, compared to around $50,000 for positions within the district.
As Mendez Middle School embarks on this new chapter, the school community is hopeful for continued academic improvement and increased student engagement, while also balancing the need for community input and involvement in the school’s operations.
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Additional Resources
- KVUE News
- Wikipedia: Mendez Middle School
- Statesman
- Google Search: Mendez Middle School
- Austin Chronicle
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Middle School
- Statesman
- Google News: Mendez Middle School
