| ☑️ Public schools are under attack all across the country. Interested in helping defend them? Filing for the school board election closes this Monday. Click here for details. 💸 We sent in our $761-million recapture payment to the state last Thursday, August 11 — by far the most of any district in the state!Ok, let’s do this… |
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| Family Newsletter |
| By Nayeli Santoyo ● Aug 19, 2022
Smart Brevity® count: 4 mins... 1072 words
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☑️ Public schools are under attack all across the country. Interested in helping defend them? Filing for the school board election closes this Monday. Click here for details.
💸 We sent in our $761-million recapture payment to the state last Thursday, August 11 — by far the most of any district in the state!
Ok, let’s do this…
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1 big thing: New TEA ratings jump
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Austin ISD achieved an overall grade of a high B under the state’s accountability system for 2022.
Why it matters: According to the Texas Education Agency, “The ratings examine student achievement, school progress, and whether districts and campuses are closing achievement gaps among various student groups.”
What they’re saying: “They did this during the pandemic with remote learning as well as complications with that, and then coming back to class with incredible stress. To perform so well under these conditions, I want to say … I admire each and every one of you,” said Interim Superintendent Anthony Mays at a press conference at Bertha Sadler Means Young Women’s Leadership Academy, which raised its rating from an F to a C.
Go deeper: You can read more about the new state ratings on our website or in these articles:
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“Austin ISD earns a 'B' rating from Texas Education Agency” (KUT)
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“A 'normal' start to the school year: Austin students return to classrooms” (Statesman)
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“Interim AISD superintendent speaks as districts gets a B on TEA report card” (KVUE)
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2. Perez educator makes finals for Texas Teacher of the Year
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Kari Johnston is one of six finalists for Teacher of the Year. She has worked as a dual language teacher at Perez Elementary for the last 4.5 years.
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What they’re saying: "Ms. Johnston is an integral part of our campus community and our team. She works tirelessly with and for students. She brings a ton of just joy and optimism to our work and a deep belief that every child in her classroom and our campus, and by extension, in our community, will go and change the world,” said Perez Principal Kara Mitchell-Santibanez.
Why it matters: Texas Teacher of the Year is the state’s top teaching honor and was first awarded by the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) in 1969.
Go deeper: This continues Johnston’s winning streak after winning Region XIII, the Austin ISD 2022 Elementary Teacher of the Year honors in May and semifinalist in April.
What’s next: Finalists will be interviewed in September/October by a panel of judges, followed by the selection of Teacher of the Year honors for both elementary and secondary schools.
Watch how she found out.
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3. Reading rebounds from pandemic
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by Paul Stinson
Austin ISD students in elementary reading are making longer strides toward pre-pandemic recovery than their statewide counterparts, while still facing an uphill climb to reclaim 2019 achievement levels in math and science.
By the numbers: Austin ISD students eclipsed the statewide average in third grade reading scores by 9%.
What they're saying: “We’re not surprised that all the hard work our teachers and students put in last year helped our third graders recover from the pandemic on reading,” said Elizabeth Casas, Chief Academic and School Leadership Officer. “That Austin did so much more than our peer districts, however, was startling. This is very good news.”
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Overall, elementary reading scores surpassed pre-pandemic performance in five out of six student groups.
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African-American students surpassed pre-pandemic 2019 levels by 2% after scoring 13 points higher than 2021 results.
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Reading scores for Hispanic students also exceeded pre-pandemic levels by 4% after scoring 15 points higher than the year previous.
Go deeper.
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4. Got a question for the interim superintendent?
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In the latest episode of his web series Ask Dr. Mays Anything, Dr. Mays raced the clock to answer three questions in 90 seconds.
Next steps: You, too, can ask Dr. Mays anything, and keep watching to see if he answers your question in a future episode.
See the episode here.
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5. Enrollment is open for Dual Language programs
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By Gabriella Beker
Enrollment is open for Dual Language programs for all PreK, Kinder and first grade students, including those whose home language is English or another language and students receiving Special Education services.
Why it matters: Bilingual education has been proven to improve academic outcomes, open up more career opportunities and support students’ social and emotional growth through emphasis on sociocultural competence.
What’s next: Fill out the interest form to learn more about Dual Language programs and enroll today to start the school year strong.
The bottom line: Dual Language is for everyone! If your child is in Pre-K, Kindergarten, or first grade the door to Dual Language is open!
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6. ICYMI: Austin ISD Roundup
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📲 “Austin ISD outlines efforts to combat TikTok distractions this school year” (KXAN)
👨🏫 “Beloved art teacher gets sweet surprise message from student” (Today Show)
🎓 “Travis County honors life of historic Austin ISD principal” (KVUE)
💰 “Austin Ed Fund awards $300K to 52 campus-based Austin ISD projects” (Fox 7)
🔒 “Austin ISD completes its summer safety audit” (Spectrum News)
🍎 “AISD Board OKs District’s Largest Bond Package Ever” (Austin Chronicle”
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8. Did you miss the BTS Tour?
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Trustees LaTisha Anderson and Arati Singh joined Dr. Mays on several legs of his two-day, seven-stop Back-to-School Tour on Monday and Tuesday.
ICYMI: Click on any of the links above to see videos from the visits, or check out Dr. Mays’ posts on Twitter and Instagram.
Jason’s thought bubble: I kept confusing people when I would refer to the Back-to-School Tour as the BTS Tour.
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🎥 Jason recommends Prey, the Predator prequel on Hulu.
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