The Austin Independent School District (AISD) board of trustees voted early on November 3, 2023, to implement turnaround plans for 12 campuses that have received three consecutive failing grades from the Texas Education Agency (TEA). This decision comes as part of a state mandate requiring improvements in schools that have consistently underperformed. The plans are now pending approval from the TEA, which set a deadline of November 21, 2023, for final submissions.
Superintendent Matias Segura expressed confidence in the proposals, stating, “I fully expect to have way fewer ‘F’ schools.” The district faced three options for each campus for the 2026-27 school year. The chosen strategies include a “district-managed restart,” which involves hiring new educators and administrative staff, as well as modifying school schedules to allocate more time for subjects needing enhancement. Another potential strategy was to partner with a charter school, while the final option involved closing a campus either temporarily or permanently.
In a decisive move, the district opted against charter school partnerships. Instead, officials announced plans to close seven schools that required turnaround actions while restarting five others under new management. The schools slated for closure include Bedichek and Martin Middle Schools, along with five elementary schools: Barrington, Dawson, Oak Springs, Wooldridge, and Winn Montessori. Students from these campuses will be reassigned to other schools within the district, which may also have to implement turnaround plans despite their past performance.
The five schools participating in the “district-managed restart” include Paredes Middle School and Linder, Sánchez, Pecan Springs, and Wooldridge elementary schools. This model, endorsed by the TEA, has shown promise in improving failing schools, with some transforming from failing to B-rated within a single year. Key changes will involve hiring qualified staff, reducing student-teacher ratios, and enhancing support systems, including counseling and family engagement initiatives.
Additionally, AISD approved less intensive plans for 12 other schools that received unacceptable ratings for two consecutive years. These plans are expected to be less costly and demanding than those for the schools facing immediate closure.
The TEA’s requirements for turnaround plans are triggered by schools that receive consecutive failing accountability ratings, based largely on standardized test scores. If a school receives five consecutive failing grades, the state reserves the right to replace the elected school board with an appointed board of managers for at least two years. The consequences of these ratings have been evident in recent years, with notable cases including the state takeover of Houston ISD in 2023 and the ongoing appeal regarding the takeover of Fort Worth ISD.
The recently approved turnaround plans also complement earlier proposals submitted in June 2023 for Burnet, Dobie, and Webb Middle Schools, aimed at avoiding a state intervention. As these plans unfold, the district is poised to make significant changes in its educational landscape, focusing on better outcomes for students in need.
