The Texas Education Agency (TEA) has turned down Austin Independent School District’s (AISD) initial proposal to collaborate with the Texas Council for International Studies (TCIS) to manage Burnet, Dobie, and Webb middle schools. This decision comes as the district seeks to improve the schools’ performance ratings and avoid state intervention.
Background on the Decision
In March, AISD officials selected TCIS to operate the three middle schools under a three-year agreement. The goal was for TCIS to help these schools achieve at least a C rating by the 2027-28 school year. However, the TEA cited TCIS’s lack of capacity to successfully turn around the campuses as the reason for the denial.
Despite this setback, AISD Superintendent Matias Segura expressed determination to continue the process. “While this response is disappointing, I want to assure you that this is not the end of the process,” Segura stated. The district intends to reapply, providing additional information to demonstrate TCIS’s ability to improve student outcomes.
State Intervention and Legislative Support
The decision to partner with a charter school was driven by the schools’ consecutive F ratings. According to state law, if a Texas public school receives five or more consecutive failed ratings, the TEA commissioner must either close the campus or take over the district. Senate Bill 1882 allows school districts to partner with charter schools, higher education institutions, government entities, or nonprofits to receive additional funding and a two-year exemption from state accountability interventions.
The Central Texas Legislative Delegation, a bipartisan group of lawmakers, has expressed support for AISD’s efforts. They emphasized the importance of local leaders in fostering student success and voiced their belief in AISD and TCIS’s potential partnership.
Next Steps for AISD
Superintendent Segura remains optimistic about the district’s trajectory. “This procedural step does not slow down our momentum,” he said. AISD is committed to working with its board to strategically allocate resources and support systemic improvement across all campuses, particularly where students need the most support.
AISD plans to submit a revised application to the TEA, reinforcing their confidence in TCIS’s experience and capacity to improve the academic achievement of students at Burnet, Dobie, and Webb middle schools.
Original reporting: Community Impact — Austin — read the source article.
