The Austin Independent School District announced on March 19 that the city’s annual César Chávez parade, which the district has participated in for years, has been canceled. The decision comes amid serious allegations involving César Chávez, which the district said carry significant weight for many in the community.
The update is important as it affects both upcoming district events and how history is taught within Austin ISD schools. The district said it will create opportunities for reflection in the coming weeks to consider what these developments mean for students and staff. Superintendent Matias Segura said, “We are mindful of the serious allegations involving César Chávez and recognize the significant weight these reports carry for many in our community.”
Staff will begin a review of curriculum and instructional guidance to ensure that history is taught with depth and complexity as required by Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills standards. Despite canceling the parade, Austin ISD will continue to observe Dolores Huerta Day on March 31 as a student and staff holiday, with all schools and offices closed. Segura said, “At the heart of this day remains our dedication to the values of justice, equality and empowerment for all working communities.”
The board of trustees will discuss further updates to the district calendar at its regular voting meeting on March 26. The district also acknowledged that news about these changes may be difficult for some families to process. Resources have been provided to help guide conversations at home, and mental health crisis assistance is available through Austin Integral Care.
Austin ISD serves more than 72,000 students across 116 diverse school communities—including elementary, middle, high school, early college, academy, magnet, alternative, and community schools—according to the official website. The district supports a multicultural environment with over 100 languages spoken by students and offers instruction in more than 100 languages along with programs in 11 languages other than English according to the official website. It maintains a graduation rate of 93.3 percent while exceeding state averages on SAT and ACT scores according to the official website.
Looking ahead, Segura thanked families for their partnership during this period of reflection: “Thank you for your continued partnership as we navigate these reflections together as a community.” The district continues its focus on partnering with families and equipping students with knowledge and skills needed for success in college, career, and life according to the official website.