Publications
Math Improvement Initiative: Algebra I Summary 2007-2008
This report summarizes the 2007-2008 program evaluation results of the AISD-UT partnership to improve math instruction in all high schools and thus increase student math achievement across the district.
Math Improvement Initiative, Year 2 Implementation: 2008-2009
The partnership between AISD and the Charles A. Dana Center was designed to improve the teaching and learning of math and showed promise in its second year of implementation. This report provides a detailed summary of results.
The Creative Learning Initiative Benefits AISD English Language Learners
English language learners were more likely to attend school and to meet the STAAR passing standards in reading and math when their teachers used creative teaching strategies more frequently. These findings coincide well with the research that encourages teachers of foreign languages to be creative in their teaching so that students not only benefit from language learning, but also develop broader educational objectives and learning outcomes (Maley & Peachey, 2015).
Creative Learning Initiative: Impact of Creative Teaching on Academic Growth
This report examines the impact of Creative Teaching techniques on students’ academic growth on the State of Texas Assessment of Academic Readiness (STAAR) reading and math tests from 2016–2017 to 2017–2018. Statistically significant growth on STAAR reading was found for students who had teachers who were moderately competent at Creative Teaching techniques and used these techniques at least two times per week in their classrooms.
Creative Learning Initiative: Implementation Summary, 2018-2019
The Creative Learning Initiative (CLI) is a community-wide effort to bring creative learning and the arts to each and every student in Austin. Lead by MINDPOP, the City of Austin, and Austin Independent School District (AISD), CLI designs systematic and sustainable programs that integrate creativity, creative teaching strategies, and the arts with classroom teaching, campus programming, and campus improvement. Overall, CLI implementation in 2018–2019 was comparable to prior years and continues to have a positive impact on students. This report summarizes the CLI implementation activities.
Campus Best Practices Overview: Academic Gains and Improvement
This report examines campus-level contributors to student academic gains. Using student factors, curriculum and programming indicators, and campus features (e.g., staff retention and support programs) as inputs, the results indicate that changes in campus and teacher leadership scores are important and significant predictors of improvements in campus-level student performance, but data modeling alone does not offer enough information.
School Turnaround AmeriCorps Initiative
This report describes the School Turnaround AmeriCorps Initiative and the program's impact on students at Reagan High School and Travis High School during the 2015-2016 school year.
Austin Partners in Education Annual Report, 2019-2020
This report includes results for Austin Partners in Education (APIE) programs in 2019-2020 including math classroom coaching, GEAR UP tutoring, college readiness, and mentoring. It highlights continued academic programs serving students in middle and high school and describes APIE support provided to teachers' instruction. As classroom instruction transitioned to remote format due to the pandemic, APIE staff transitioned services to assist in the development of online curriculum, communication with students, and facilitation of instruction in a virtual format.
Comprehensive School Reform: Texas High School Initiative Grant Summary Report, 2005-2006
This report summarizes the 2005-2006 program evaluation results of the state-funded high school initiative grant, designed to promote school-wide improvements based on campus needs assessments, focusing on teacher professional development and increased parent involvement.
Families as Partners Parent Champion Initiative
Motivated by the dual-capacity framework for family-school partnerships, one initiative of the Families as Partners program is to enhance the capabilities, connections, cognition, and confidence of parents. This report focuses on the capacity building of the 2018–2019 parent champion initiative.