May 30, 2008 - At Johnston High School, threatened with closure by TEA due to four successive years of an Academically Unacceptable rating, students showed Ram Pride in making vast improvements over last year’s TAKS passing rates; but District and campus officials, students and parents, don’t know if all of the improvements are enough to reach the required standards.

Scores improved by as much as 21 percentage points in 10th grade Science (15 percent in 2007 compared to 36 percent in 2008) and 14 percentage points in 9th grade Mathematics (14 percent compared to 28 percent in 2008).  
 
Whether or not it meets the state standards on TAKS and the completion rate, Johnston parents, students, and community members continue to plan for a New Vision for the school that will ensure opportunities for educational excellence for all students.  
 
In the last two weeks, parents, students and faculty members have conducted focus groups to identify changes that will better meet student needs, made visits to New Tech High at Akins High School and Manor High School (Manor ISD) to explore possible new models, and completed a school-wide survey of all students.  
 
“I want to acknowledge the work that has been done at Johnston and to thank everyone who pledge their support to the campus. We have made tremendous progress despite the challenges we faced,” Johnston Principal Celina Estrada Thomas said.  
 
“Congratulations to Johnston High School and AISD,” said State Senator Kirk Watson, who is working with District officials and TEA to explore all options for the future of Johnston.  
 
“The hard work of students, parents, and faculty, and the community belief that Johnston could succeed, paid off with strong improvement in TAKS scores over last year. Although it is too early to determine the final future of Johnston, the school is well-positioned to build on this success to create a New Vision for Johnston.”  
 
“Parents and the community rallied around Johnston High School. Students and teachers worked hard to improve scores, and this effort really paid off,” said Sam Guzman, AISD Board of Trustees member for District 2 representing Johnston. “I am optimistic about the future of our school as we work together to create a New Vision. We must continue to invest in our school and our neighborhood.”  
 
Even as these preliminary TAKS scores are released, a subset of these data are only one component of the State accountability rating system. Individual campus ratings are calculated by the State, and are scheduled to be released by TEA on August 1. Any speculation about any campus’s 2008 Accountability Rating at this time is premature.  
 
Accordingly, no one with the Austin School District is in a position to comment on the future of Johnston High School at this time. The District continues to have discussions with state officials, who will determine the future of the Johnston campus and its students.