Austin Independent School District (Austin ISD) reports progress in student achievement and a reduction in achievement gaps among second-grade students, according to recent mid-year assessment data. The district projects that the number of campuses receiving “F” ratings under the state accountability system will decrease from 23 to fewer than 15 for the 2026 testing year.
“Austin ISD is a large system that is moving in the right direction,” Superintendent Matias Segura said. “It’s incredible to see the data show what we’ve expected all along as we’ve built districtwide systems that focus on students and staff receiving what they need to be successful.”
The district’s early intervention strategies have led to measurable improvements. In math, students recommended for intervention dropped from 31% at the start of the year to 22% by mid-year. For literacy, those needing intervention declined from 26% to 21%.
Historically underserved groups have shown notable gains. Black students and those from economically disadvantaged backgrounds saw a 15-percentage-point decrease in math intervention needs, while emergent bilingual students had a 16-percentage-point decrease. The achievement gap between White and Black students narrowed by ten percentage points, dropping from a disparity of 41 points to 31 points. In reading, Black students saw a nine-point drop in intervention needs, and the gap between White and Hispanic students decreased by two percentage points.
“In my 21 years in schools, I’ve never seen this level of movement across all student groups,” said Dr. Mary Ann Maxwell, assistant superintendent of academics. “We’ve worked hard to transform the classroom experience in Austin ISD and I’m grateful for our educators and families for their work in making these gains possible.”
Austin ISD aims to eliminate all “F” ratings across its campuses by 2029. The district reduced F-rated campuses from 29 in 2024 to 23 in 2025 and expects that number to reach or fall below 15 in 2026.
Projections indicate that most campuses will see more students meeting or exceeding standards on the upcoming STAAR assessments. Schools such as Pecan Springs, Widen, and Houston elementary are expected to show significant improvements.
District leaders attribute these results to several strategies: consistent use of high-quality instructional materials; strengthened professional learning communities where teachers collaborate closely; targeted support including stipends for educators at high-need schools; and increased instructional leadership with school leaders spending more time observing classrooms and providing feedback.
These developments occur within one of Texas’ largest school districts. Austin ISD serves over 72,000 students with more than 5,000 classroom teachers across its 116 diverse school communities. The district supports a multicultural environment with instruction provided in over 100 languages spoken by its student body and offers programs in multiple languages besides English.
With a graduation rate above 93 percent, Austin ISD continues its efforts alongside families and community partners to prepare students for college, careers, and life.
Students will begin state assessments in April which will determine campus ratings released later this summer.
