November 14, 2006 - Austin School Superintendent Pat Forgione today announced a $15.6 million investment from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation to support the implementation of AISD's districtwide high school redesign plan.

As part of Austin's continuing mission to prepare all its students for college and career, today's investment builds on a previous grant to develop a redesign strategy for the district's 11 high schools to ensure that all students graduate with the skills needed to prepare them for the challenges of college and the workplace.  
 
"This historic partnership is the culmination of years of work on the part of many individuals who came together collaboratively to elevate the quality of instruction in our high schools," said Dr. Forgione. "With the support of our Board of Trustees, our chambers of commerce, our business community, our elected officials, and key public-private partnerships, we have been empowered and enabled to work with principals and teachers to graduate all our students college-ready."  
 
Present for the announcement were the Principals of the District's 11 comprehensive high schools. One Principal, Patrick Patterson of LBJ High School, said the support for redesign will result in significant changes at his and other Austin high schools.  
 
"This revolutionary partnership will change the fundamental way in which high schools operate," Patterson said. "At LBJ, these changes will be seen in the way classes are taught, the number of students in classes, how we interact with parents and students, and the overall climate of the school. This partnership will allow campus leaders such as myself to provide greater opportunities for success for more of our students.  
 
Michelle Buescher, a student at Akins High School, said she has already witnessed some of the positive changes at her school, as a result of early redesign initiatives at the South Austin campus.  
 
"At Akins, I now have more guidance, greater support and more interaction with adults who are committed to my success," she said. "The advisory period and small classes allow me to feel valued and supported, and I can get help when I need it, which is particularly important at a school as large as Akins."  
 
 
 
In recent years, AISD has increased its focus on high school reform, based on the "new 3Rs" – academic rigor, relevant coursework, and stronger relationships between students and adults. In 2002, the district approved a college-preparatory curriculum for all students, two years ahead of the state requirement. Yet while some of the District's high schools boast high student achievement, many students continue to struggle academically.  
 
Because one size doesn't fit all, the components of high school redesign in Austin will vary based on individual campus and student needs, but could include elements such as small learning communities, advisory periods, student mentoring programs, or other research-based practices. For example, four of Austin's high schools will implement the First Things First model, developed by the Institute for Research and Reform in Education. First Things First is a proven school improvement model designed to raise academic standards and increase student and family supports.  
 
AISD also will provide campuses with targeted technical assistance, professional development opportunities, and community engagement support as a result of this investment. All these efforts will be evaluated regularly to inform future programs and provide staff with the appropriate tools and resources needed to succeed.  
 
"We must provide all students with the education they need to graduate prepared for college and work," said Steve Seleznow, program director for education at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. "With its strong, stable leadership and clear mission, AISD has demonstrated the commitment needed to ensure that every school can provide the high-quality education students deserve."  
 
In recent years, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has partnered with the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation to improve high schools throughout the state to better prepare their students for the challenges of today's global economy. These joint investments have helped support the Texas High School Project and the Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics initiative.  
 
"On behalf of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, we are very pleased to continue our long-standing partnership with the Austin School District & the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation" said Zeynep Young, program director for the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation (MSDF). "As the high school campuses focus on the 3 Rs of redesign—Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships—the funding from MSDF will allow AISD to develop systems to enhance the fourth R—Results. Our goal is to deliver timely, relevant, and easy-to-use achievement information to principals and teachers."  
 
Austin School Board President Mark Williams called the partnership with the two foundations "an important milestone in this District's history."  
 
"I want to convey our gratitude for the support our District's schools and students will be receiving from this unprecedented partnership, and our commitment to this public/private partnership to redesign our high schools to prepare all our students for college and career success. We know there are many challenges ahead, but we are prepared to work our way through those challenges to make sure the interests of our students and future students are well served."