Publications
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.
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.
2018-2019 Student Climate Survey
The AISD Student Climate Survey provides insight into students’ opinions and perceptions of engagement, behavioral environment, academic self-confidence, adult fairness and respect, teacher expectations, culture and language, social and emotional learning (SEL) skills, and college intentions. The survey is used to monitor a variety of key initiatives and policies, including Campus Improvement Plans and the Superintendent's Scorecard. *To view results, click on the link below, then select "Student Climate Survey" from the drop down menu at the top left of the page.
Early College High School Program Summary Report, 2018-2019
Early College High School (ECHS) provides students with the opportunity to earn a high school diploma and 60 college hours, which lead to an associate’s degree. This report describes demographic characteristics and academic outcomes of the students served by ECHS, highlights emerging topics from the teacher and program staff surveys, and provides general recommendations for future program implementation.
Pathways in Technology Early College High School Program Summary Report, 2018-2019
Pathways in Technology (P-TECH) provides a 6-year, career-focused program that combines high school and college coursework with real-world work experience. This report includes findings regarding demographic characteristics and academic outcomes of the students served by the program, highlights emerging topics from the student and teacher and program staff surveys, and provides general recommendations for future program implementation.
Austin Partners in Education: Annual Evaluation Report, 2018-2019
This report includes results for Austin Partners in Education (APIE) programs in 2018-2019 including math classroom coaching, GEAR UP tutoring, college readiness, and mentoring. It highlights continued academic support programs serving students in 8th grade math classroom coaching and 12th grade college readiness programs, as well as, provides baseline data of pilot programs and expansion.
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.
Professional Pathways for Teachers: 2018–2019 Evaluation Report
The purpose of this report is to help stakeholders of Professional Pathways for Teachers (PPfT) understand and refine the methods used to measure program implementation and outcomes. This report also contains summative data on the progress of PPfT, which just completed its third year. PPfT first launched district-wide in AISD in the 2016–2017 school year, and since then the concept behind the program has been refined to that of empowering teachers and improving the quality of teaching through a multi-measure appraisal and compensation system.
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.
Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs (GEAR UP) Austin: Annual Evaluation Report 2018–2019
In 2018–2019, the program’s second federally funded year, GEAR UP (Gaining Early Awareness and Readiness for Undergraduate Programs) Austin served a cohort of 7th-grade students (n = 2,536) across 11 middle schools. Nearly all GEAR UP students received support services relevant to college preparation. Evaluation findings suggest that students, teachers, and parents had a positive perspective on the role of the program services in college preparation.