Announcements
District weighs options from TEA around Special Education (En español)
Last week the board of trustees held a Public Hearing on Special Education to receive public comment and discuss TEA’s alternative plan in place of a possible conservatorship over special education.
STAAR results now available for Spring 2023 tests (En español)
On Wednesday, August 16, the Texas Education Agency released the results of last spring’s State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness tests for students who were in the 3rd–8th grade during the 2022-23 school year. The newly released STAAR scores…
New deputy superintendent will align work of schools, academics teams (en español)
Austin ISD is excited to welcome Patricia Rodriguez as the district’s first deputy superintendent. Driving the news: The district is undergoing a reorganization of the former offices of School Leadership and Academics. To better align their work and improve…
Take a peek at the (school) year in numbers (en español)
Sadly, this is the end of another school year! No, it’s not sarcasm. Lots of amazing things happened in 2022-23. And I want to share some of them with you. If you’re like me and you love numbers – buckle up for this journey! Children spent 75,600 minutes…
Texas House, Governor Abbott clash over vouchers; plan could cost Austin ISD millions in state funding (En Español)
With less than two weeks left before the end of the regular legislative session, the Texas House of Representatives and Gov. Greg Abbott are still far apart on whether and how to give some Texas families tax dollars to pay for private school. One current…
New TEA rules will downgrade some public schools, districts (en Español)
By Paul Stinson Austin ISD is anticipating its secondary campus and district A-F letter grades will decline by one to two letters under new TEA rules for how scores are calculated and how letter grades are assigned. Why it matters: The Texas Education…
Austin ISD student tech inventory; ALL devices to be disabled May 25 (en Español)
In preparation for a district-wide tech inventory this summer, Austin ISD is asking students and families to return ALL tech devices – iPads, laptops, charging cords, hotspots, iPad cases, etc. – to their campuses. Tech devices for summer use will be checked…
An Iraqi teacher gives families a voice at Travis Heights Elementary School (En Español)
As Austin ISD celebrates Arab American Heritage Month, we profile Sura Jasim, who works at Travis Heights Elementary School as a Parent Support Specialist, a link between the school district and parents.
Austin ISD to request informal review of TEA Special Education Conservatorship (en español)
Today, Austin ISD is requesting an informal review of the Texas Education Agency’s March 31, 2023, Final Report that recommended a conservator to help address special education issues in the district.
Former refugee shares love of learning with her students (En Español)
As Austin ISD celebrates Arab American Heritage Month, we profile Walnut Creek Elementary School ESL teacher and former refugee, Zaineb “Zizi” Ellison. Seeing her second-grade students learn English motivates Zizi Ellison, a second grade ESL teacher at…