Publications
CARES 2019–2020 Evaluation: A Brief Review of the Second Year of Implementation
This report describes the activities and accomplishments of AISD's CARES team during the second year of implementation, school year 2019–2020. Highlights include how CARES team members were able to: maintain and in many cases exceed high-quality standards, continue progress monitoring, and provide support and resources for families, staff and community members during the first few months of the pandemic, a time of great uncertainty. CARES also expanded aspects of their feedback functions and adapted their planned implementation goals in response to staff and families' expressed…
CARES One-page Activity Summary Fall 2019 to Fall 2020
This one-page document illustrates highlights of AISD’s CARES program activities and achievements. CARES, now in its second year of implementation, was able to maintain high quality of service standards, while experiencing a dramatic increase in volume. Further, CARES team members served vital functions during the unexpected challenges of the 2019–2020 school year.
Professional Pathways for Teachers: 2018-2019 Appraisal Results for Career and Technical Education Instructors
Comparisons between CTE and non-CTE instructors and between CTE endorsements were examined in the context of PPfT and CTE’s overlapping goals of quality instruction and professional learning. CTE instructors had significantly higher summative scores than did non-CTE instructors. Almost twice as many CTE as non-CTE instructors earned a distinguished rating. Results supported key indicators of CTE high-quality instruction (i.e., prepared and effective program staff, engaging instruction, work-based learning opportunities, and standards-aligned and industry-based curriculum and instruction).
Employee Well-Being in AISD: What Makes Employees Feel Valued and Want to Stay, 2019-2020
Part of Austin Independent School District (AISD)'s ongoing commitment to employees’ well-being and retention includes understanding employees’ feelings toward their work environment. AISD’s customer experience department, CARES (customer focused, action oriented, responsive, empathetic, and service driven), worked with AISD's Department of Research and Evaluation (DRE) to create items to be added to staff surveys to accomplish this. Analysis of responses to these items and comparisons between feelings and perceptions of campus-based staff and Central Office staff are described in…
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.
Central Office Climate Survey: Executive Summary, Spring 2020
This Executive Summary provides an overview of the results of the Central Office Climate Survey. Since 2005, the survey has been conducted to gather information about working conditions at AISD headquarters. It asks staff about interactions with other employees, morale, and various aspects of the work environment including whether staff agree or disagree with statements about district leadership, facilities and resources. To view the full 2019-2020 survey results, click the Interactive Report link and choose the Central Office Climate Survey Report 2019–2020 from the drop-down list.
Professional Pathways for Teachers (PPfT) Perception Survey Results
This report answers questions about teacher and administrator perceptions of Professional Pathways for Teachers (PPfT) program implementation. PPfT is a multi-measure appraisal and compensation system designed to empower teachers and improve the quality of teaching in Austin Independent School District. PPfT is in its third year, and stakeholders were interested in, among other things, teachers' perceptions of new program components like professional learning opportunities and compensation. Perceptions of teachers and administrators are a valuable part of the implementation process.