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Education
Austin ISD didn't increase enrollment this year, meaning staff won't get annual raises
The Austin Independent School District didn’t meet its enrollment goals for this school year, according to data collected for the state in October. The school district lost thousands of students last school year during the Covid-19 pandemic and was hoping…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Nov 10, 2021
Superintendent's evaluation sparks heated testimony on district's working conditions
The AISD Board of Trustees faced a grueling round of public testimony at their meeting this past Thursday, with more than a dozen teachers calling in to express intolerable levels of stress. Citing administrative micromanagement, understaffing, excessive hours and poor…
AISD • By Kali Bramble • Nov 2, 2021
Afterschool programs struggle with staffing, funding challenges
Post-pandemic life is not looking good for afterschool programs in Austin. Attendance numbers are down, and several afterschool programs are experiencing a persistent staffing shortage, with providers having to let go and even repurpose staff. According to a survey from…
Education • By Eniola Longe • Nov 1, 2021
Mask mandate was the right decision to keep students safe, Austin ISD superintendent says
State leaders made it hard to keep students safe this school year, Austin ISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde said Tuesday during her state of the district address. Elizalde said she wasn’t expecting Gov. Greg Abbott or Texas Education Agency Commissioner Mike Morath…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Oct 20, 2021
AISD requires masks for all, despite Abbott's order
Facing spiking Covid cases and a fast-approaching fall semester, the Austin Independent School District has made the decision to require face masks in defiance of an executive order issued by Gov. Greg Abbott. “I am responsible for the safety, the…
AISD • By Elizabeth Pagano • Aug 10, 2021
Coming soon to Del Valle: More money for dual-language pre-K
At Tuesday’s meeting of the Travis County Commissioners Court, commissioners voted to make a portion of American Rescue Plan Act funding available to increase access to dual-language and full-day pre-K in Del Valle in southeast Travis County. The request initially…
Education • By Seth Smalley • Aug 6, 2021
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AISD brainstorms ways to increase parent engagement
Austin Independent School District’s annual survey, sent out January through March 2021, was designed to gather feedback from parents and guardians about various topics at their children’s schools. This year’s survey focused on measuring whether parents feel their involvement is welcomed…
AISD • By Hayden Steckel • Jul 8, 2021
Austin ISD lost thousands of students during the pandemic. It's going door to door to bring them back.
Fifty Austin ISD staff members gather outside Mendez Middle School in Southeast Austin on Saturday, fueling up for the day with breakfast tacos and coffee. The group is made up of central office staff, teachers and volunteers. The plan is…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Jul 2, 2021
Austin ISD is sued over backlog of special education evaluations
An advocacy group for people with disabilities filed a lawsuit Monday claiming the Austin Independent School District is “failing thousands of students” by not evaluating them for special education within a specific amount of time. KUT reported earlier this month that…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Mar 30, 2021
Rep. Talarico proposes bill for educational equity officers; AISD is a case study
Earlier this month, Rep. James Talarico, who represents Texas’ 52nd District, filed a bill aimed at tackling equity issues within the state’s education systems. Specifically, the bill would require school districts to hire a diversity, equity and inclusion officer. According to…
Education • By Sean Saldaña • Mar 25, 2021
'Panic mode': Austin ISD needs to evaluate 800 students for special ed. It doesn't have the staff to do it.
More than 800 students in the Austin Independent School District are being denied their legal right to a special education evaluation. An evaluation is the first step in the process to get special education services. Without one, there is no…
AISD • By Claire McInerny, KUT • Mar 11, 2021
Austin ISD votes to switch mental health provider
The Austin ISD Board of Trustees has voted unanimously to switch the school district’s campus mental health provider to Gramercy Specialty Clinic. The current partner, Vida Clinic, has begun to transition out. In order to ensure that services continue without disruption, Gramercy…
