Austin Independent School District (Austin ISD) leaders have spent recent weeks meeting with staff and families from campuses required to submit Turnaround Plans (TAPs) due to three consecutive unacceptable ratings from the Texas Education Agency (TEA).
According to the district, developing TAPs and conducting the ongoing school consolidation process are two key efforts that are now intersecting. The district noted, “Producing the TAPs along with our ongoing school consolidation process are two critical, yet interconnected initiatives shaping our district’s path.”
While accountability results were not initially part of the criteria for consolidation and boundary changes, Austin ISD states that accountability must now be considered as these plans move forward. The district explained, “we must now consider how accountability will impact any plans for the consolidation and boundary change process.”
There are 12 schools identified as requiring TAPs. These schools must submit their plans by November. Options include restarting the campus with new staffing requirements or closing the school and reassigning students to another nearby campus. If students from a TAP-designated campus are reassigned during consolidation, TAP requirements will transfer to their new school.
The district clarified that Burnet, Webb, and Dobie middle schools currently have active TAPs in place; therefore, these campuses cannot be consolidated or closed at this time. Their communities will continue working through existing approved turnaround plans.
Feedback collected during recent meetings will be incorporated into each school’s draft TAP. These drafts will be posted publicly on October 3 on the Austin ISD website and discussed at an upcoming board meeting on October 9.
Final votes on these plans are scheduled for November 6. All board-approved TAPs must be submitted to TEA by November 14.
