Austin Independent School District leaders announced on Mar. 12 a proposed partnership with the Texas Council for International Studies and Region 1 Education Service Center to support Burnet, Dobie, and Webb middle schools. The proposal comes as the district seeks to continue recent gains in student achievement at these campuses and avoid possible intervention by the Texas Education Agency.
The potential partnership is significant because, under Texas law, schools that receive five consecutive failing ratings may face closure or have a board of managers appointed to oversee the entire district. The district aims for these campuses to achieve an “acceptable” rating as defined by the state agency.
If approved, the three-year agreement would grant Austin ISD a two-year pause from state intervention, starting with the 2025–26 school year. The plan also includes an estimated annual increase of $1,000 per student in funding, which could add hundreds of thousands of dollars to each school’s budget. During the first year of the partnership, core elements such as curriculum enhancements, double-blocking for reading and math, grade-level instructional coaches, and extended learning time would be maintained. After-school programs and extracurricular activities like fine arts and athletics would continue.
Staff at all three campuses would remain employees of Austin ISD with full benefits. While partners would have authority over staffing decisions, they intend to keep effective practices already in place at each campus. Community partnerships currently supporting these schools will also be maintained.
A board information session is scheduled for March 12 where families and faculty can provide public comment. Trustees are expected to vote on approving the proposal during their March 26 meeting; public comment will again be available at that time.
The Austin Independent School District educates more than 72,000 students across 116 diverse school communities—including elementary, middle, high school, early college programs, academies, magnet schools, alternative settings and community schools—according to its official website. The district supports a multicultural environment with instruction in more than 100 languages and offers programs in 11 languages other than English according to its official website. It maintains a graduation rate of 93.3 percent and exceeds state averages on SAT and ACT scores according to its official website.
According to its official website, Austin ISD employs over 5,000 classroom teachers and focuses on partnering with families and the community so students gain knowledge and skills needed for success in college, career and life.