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.

2015-2016 Creative Learning Initiative Annual Report
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 the Austin Independent School District (AISD), CLI designs systemic and sustainable programs that integrate creativity, creative teaching strategies, and the arts with classroom teaching, campus programming, and campus improvement. Evaluation findings suggest CLI implementation had a positive impact on the district, its teachers and the students it serves.

Equity in Austin Independent School District: District Summary of Equity Work and Action Steps for Improvement
This report provides a summary of the district's gap analyses, Equity Self-Assessment Survey results, current research, and district action steps.
School Grief Support Network Initiative: Survey Results, Spring 2017
This report describes results from a survey designed to assess students' emotions and behaviors prior to and following their participation in targeted grief support counseling.

ACCESS Initiative 2009-2010 Summary: Dropout Prevention at Mendez Middle School
The ACCESS grant provided funding for a dropout specialist at Mendez Middle School to work with students and their families on identifying and overcoming barriers to attendance and to decrease the likelihood that students would drop out.

The Creative Learning Initiative Innovates Teaching and Learning: Impact Highlights of the 2014–2015 School Year
The Creative Learning Initiative (CLI), a collective impact partnership among the Austin Independent School District (AISD), the city of Austin, and MINDPOP (an arts partnership dedicated to expanding creative learning in Austin and representing over 50 arts and cultural agencies), created arts-rich schools at a rate that exceeded the benchmark goal. The CLI had a positive impact on both teachers and students, as well as on the district. Teachers reported positive experiences with the program activities and positive changes in student engagement, behavior, and student achievement. Students…

CARES Front Office Staff Focus Group: Summary of Results 2019-2020
The CARES (customer-focused, action-oriented, responsive, empathetic, and service-driven) initiative was launched in AISD in 2018-2019 to bring about a culture of respect and inclusiveness throughout the district. The initiative puts an emphasis on positive customer experiences for families, students and staff members. In the spring of 2020, the Department of Research and Evaluation conducted focus groups with front office staff members from a variety of schools in AISD to discover the perceptions and responses to this initiative and any barriers to full implementation.

Texas Literacy Initiative Staff Survey Summary, Coaches' Responses, Spring 2014
The Texas Literacy Initiative (TLI) was first implemented in AISD during the 2012–2013 school. This report summarizes Spring 2014 survey responses from coaches/specialists at TLI campuses. Click to learn about their experiences during the second year of the initiative.

Texas Literacy Initiative Staff Survey Summary, Administrators' Responses, Fall 2014
The Texas Literacy Initiative (TLI) was first implemented in AISD during the 2012–2013 school year. This report summarizes Fall 2014 survey responses from administrators at TLI campuses.

Any Given Child Creative Learning Initiative: Results From the November 2013 Creative Learning Initiative Survey
The November 2013 Creative Learning Initiative Survey was designed to gather participants’ feedback about the arts-based instruction workshop that took place in November, the facilitator(s) of that workshop, the participants’ implementation of the arts-based instruction, and the impact of the workshop on their students and their own professional growth. Staff from the McCallum and Travis vertical teams participated in the Creative Learning Initiative. Staff from 22 of the 24 campuses participated in the November Creative Learning Initiative workshop, and staff from all 24 campuses…