Announcements
Update on 2022–23 schedule, pay raises (En Español)
After reflecting on input that I and members of our leadership team recently received from many of our staff and families, I wanted to let you know where we’ve landed on the schedule for next school year. I also wanted to share how we’re proposing to use…
District looks at leadership changes for Mendez Middle
Mendez Middle School may soon be under new leadership as Austin ISD explores ending the partnership that manages the school. For the past four years, Mendez has been managed under an agreement with T-STEM Texas. Why it matters: If Mendez doesn’t score…
Educators aim to accurately depict Native American issues, history
Elizabeth Close is teaching her Anderson High School Ethnic Studies students about Native American issues this November, but is hoping to go beyond the narrative of what they’ve always learned. In her class, they’re discussing issues such as the Keystone…
Austin ISD Board President, Campuses Recognized by Chamber
Austin ISD leaders and campuses were honored for their efforts to get students into college and expand educational opportunities at the Austin Chamber of Commerce’s State of Education and Talent 2021 reception on October 28 at the J.W. Marriott Austin. Why…
COVID, student success top themes at State of the District
Superintendent Stephenie Elizalde spoke to how Austin ISD continues to deal with keeping children, staff, and their families safe more than a year and a half into the pandemic. The State of The District interview was conducted by Evan Smith of the Texas…
Austin ISD Hosts College Prep Week (En Español)
It's never too early to start thinking about college. That's why Austin ISD will be hosting Go Get It Week starting Monday, Oct. 18, where campuses will engage elementary, middle, and high school students about college awareness. During the week, students…
Austin ISD AP Test Scores remain consistent despite COVID disruption
The recent release of Advance Placement testing scores revealed that despite COVID-19 disruptions, Austin ISD students passed their AP exams at a similar rate to the last two years. The Advanced Placement program is offered in all Austin ISD high…
Sadler Means YWLA Celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month with KVUE Meteorologist
KVUE meteorologist Mariel Ruiz said she is passionate about helping young women pursue careers in science, and that’s what led her to talking with students at Sadler Means Young Women’s Leadership Academy on September 24, as part of their Hispanic Heritage…
Austin ISD seeing results from work on cultural proficiency, social-emotional learning
While Austin ISD is being recognized across the nation for its work in social-emotional learning and cultural proficiency, the real effect is in the classroom. “What we’ve noticed in the classrooms is that kids have a better sense of identity, but more…
Reading Academies begin as Austin ISD focuses on improving reading
Storytime isn’t a relaxing event in Priscilla Ayala-O’Neal’s bilingual kindergarten class at Odom Elementary School. We caught up with Ms. Ayala-O’Neal when she was reading Goldilocks and the Three Bears, or in their case, Ricitos de Oro y Los Tres…
Superintendent to principals: academics is the key focus
Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde had a message for principals at Austin ISD Tuesday: this year’s primary focus is on academics. “The main thing has to stay the main thing,” she said. “Our kids must be academically prepared.” Elizalde spoke to principals at…
Austin ISD teachers and students concerned about impacts of restricting social studies curriculum
For some teachers, there’s been an extra challenge as they prepare lessons for the year – making sure they don’t violate new laws passed by the Texas Legislature.