Publications
Mindful Staff in Austin Independent School District
In 2018–2019, more than 200 AISD staff members attended a mindfulness training. This report highlights results from a survey that staff completed about their personal and professional mindfulness practices.
Social and Emotional Learning Program: The Effective Teacher Language Course
This report analyzes teachers’ feedback on the Effective Teacher Language course, a social and emotional learning opportunity for teachers. The Effective Teacher Language course is available online to teachers for a Professional Learning Exchange Day.
Social and Emotional Learning: Best Practices and Barriers to Successful Implementation
This report discusses best practices and barriers to successful implementation of social and emotional learning (SEL) at six case study schools in AISD. Researchers from the AISD Department of Research and Evaluation conducted focus groups and interviews with students and staff at two elementary schools, two middle schools, and two high schools to learn about what helps schools integrate SEL into the pedagogy and culture, and what hinders these efforts. A theoretical framework of AISD SEL implementation is proposed, as well as recommendations for campus and program improvement.
Student Data Dig 2019: Ann Richards School
This report summarizes two student data digs held at Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders in Spring 2019. Using data from the Spring 2019 AISD Student Climate Survey, students connected their experiences to survey data and brainstormed topics and strategies for a proposed course on social and emotional learning (SEL) skill development as part of the school's broader effort to support student wellness and achievement.
Facing History and Ourselves: An analysis of Facing History and Ourselves curriculum in the Austin Independent School District (AISD)
This report compares students' responses to items from the Student Climate Survey who participated in Facing History and Ourselves curriculum to similar students' responses to these items who did not participate in Facing History and Ourselves curriculum.
Staff Perceptions of Social and Emotional Learning Skills in the Austin Independent School District, 2017-2018
This report uses data gathered from the Employee Coordinated Survey to analyze staff members’ perceptions of SEL implementation at their school and of their own SEL skills.
Transgender Students' School Perceptions and Experiences 2018
Analysis of 2017-2018 AISD student data shows significant gaps in school perceptions and experiences of transgender and gender-nonconforming students relative to their peers, illustrating the need for additional policies and procedures to support AISD transgender and gender-nonconforming students.
Student Data Dig 2018: Bowie High School
This report summarizes AISD Bowie High School students' experiences with the first social and emotional learning (SEL) student data dig in 2018.
School Grief Support Network Initiative: Survey Results, 2018
This report summarizes data gathered from pre- and post-intervention surveys conducted with parents/guardians and teachers of AISD students who were offered free grief support counseling services during 2017-2018 through a grant funded by The Christi Center.
PreK-2 Suspension Ban: How are schools adapting?
Principal interviews indicate that more practical professional development opportunities for teachers and more strategic support from licensed professionals would better help schools care for students with trauma-related behavioral needs.