Researchers Propose Alternative Austin ISD Streamlining

AUSTIN, TX — As Austin ISD officials move to close and consolidate schools to save money and improve education levels, University of Texas at Austin policy researchers have proposed a plan for that process to move forward without the need to shutter campuses.

To accomplish that, one need only look for a template 200 miles north in Dallas. Researchers at the UT-Austin-based Institute for Urban Policy Research & Analysis propose patterning local district revamping efforts with those of the Dallas ISD, where officials designed and implemented the Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) program to bring struggling schools up to standard.

"We’ve identified three strategies from that program that could be replicated by AISD," researchers wrote in their report's introduction. "We recommend AISD look to the ACE model to inform the School Changes strategy."

The strategic triad was identified after researchers thoroughly studied the success of the Accelerating Campus Excellence initiative, researchers noted. The three prongs: 1) recruit children for pre-K; 2) recruit and retain highly effective principals; and 3) place the best teachers at the lowest-performing schools and provide them with bonuses.

"These factors were deemed the most impactful in the ACE program and could be replicated in Austin in order to improve academic achievement and retain highly effective staff," researchers concluded.

Just over a week ago, Austin ISD officials released a plan to close 12 schools and move displaced students to other campuses. The district has also proposed boundary changes while seeking to add academic programs at more than 30 schools.

"Change is hard, but it also can make us stronger," Superintendent Paul Cruz said in a letter to the Austin ISD community outlining the plan. "We all care about the future of our students, and we’re willing to step up to help re-imagine and reinvent our school district. The changes we make will be worth the effort."

But the plan has generated widespread anxiety, with perceptions that the targeted schools largely service students of color. Critics also wonder aloud why outright campus closings seem to be the district's default move as it seeks to streamline.

Already, three schools are on the chopping block with closures slated for the 2020-21 school year: Sims Elementary School, Metz Elementary School and Pease Elementary School. Plans call for the latter campus to be re-purposed as a media/archives hub for the district. A fourth school, Brooke Elementary, is in the district's sights for likely closure, as detailed in the district's plan.

Another approach is offered by UT-Austin researchers that would not include closures. The three elements of that alternative approach is detailed in their report titled "Lessons Learned from Dallas: Useful Strategies for Improving Schools in Austin."

Recruit children for pre-K

"DISD is a state leader in its recruitment of children for its Pre-K programs and draws upon the large body of research showing the connection between Pre-K attendance and positive outcomes across the lifespan," researchers wrote. "As part of the ACE model, the district partnered with local daycare centers to add 20 classrooms and embed DISD teachers into the facility, allowing families to access quality Pre-K with the benefit of flexible day care hours."

As a result of those efforts, researchers found, Dallas ISD saw a significant growth in its half-day program for 3-year-olds — increasing from 800 students in 2016 to 1,500 students the following year. Austin ISD has the potential to implement a similar program, increasing pre-K enrollment and improving long-term trajectories in elementary, middle, and high school, UT-Austin researchers concluded.

Recruit and retain highly effective principals

"A large body of research notes the strong effect that principals have on student achievement, teacher effectiveness, and school culture," analysts wrote. "In fact, principals are only second to teachers in terms of impact on student outcomes."

As part of the ACE initiative, researchers noted, Dallas ISD worked to recruit and retain highly effective principals using the “Principal Excellence Initiative.” High-performing campus leaders were identified, and interested applicants meet with a DISD panel during the selection process. If selected, these principals received a $15,000 increase in pay. The upshot: This strategy has seen recruitment and retention rates soar across the district, researchers wrote.

Austin ISD also should focus on recruiting and retaining highly effective principals, as principal turnover has been a serious issue in the local district —negatively impacting the success of is campuses, researchers recommended.

Place highly effective teachers at lowest-performing schools, give them bonuses.

Within the ACE program was Dallas ISD's “Teacher Excellence Initiative," which used data-driven techniques to recruit and hire high-quality teachers to its lowest performing schools, according to the report. Large recruitment fairs were staged during which ACE schools principals gave impassioned speeches on why teachers should join their campuses, researchers detailed.

"As part of the application process, teachers were also required to include principal observations of their work in the classroom; results from Texas’ state achievement exams; and student feedback surveys. After identifying the most effective teachers, DISD offered $8,000 to $12,000 bonuses to teachers who were placed in the seven “improvement required” ACE schools," the report reads.

The Austin ISD would benefit from using similar techniques to recruit high-quality teachers to its lowest performing schools in order to increase academic achievement and the state rating of the school, according to the university's research.

UT-Austin researchers noted the similarities between the two school districts central to their study in terms of its minority populations. Given the prevalence of students of color in Austin, the Dallas ISD model yields a primer for going forward, researchers suggested.

"Dallas has a large population of Black and Latinx students, making up nearly 80 percent of its student body, and the ACE program has proved beneficial in turning around failing schools and helping vulnerable and minority communities," analysts concluded. "Similarly, Austin is working to address the needs of its own Black and Latinx population of students, which can be done using proven strategies from DISD."

In terms of financing its effort, university researchers found the cost of the initiative came to an additional $1,800 per student. Some perspective from the report: Austin ISD spends about $10,490 per student whereas Dallas allots $10,624.

Additionally, researchers observed, House Bill 3 was passed earlier this year and provides funding for classrooms, teacher compensation, and reduces recapture and cuts local property taxes. With this "reformative" bill, Austin ISD could use the additional funding in directing the added stream toward efforts to improve academic achievement and retain highly effective staff as detailed in the report.

"For example, Section 48.051c prioritizes compensation for teachers with more than five years of experience, which could be applied to the third recommendation outlined in this brief; the recruitment and placement of highly effective teachers at the lowest-performing schools," the report reads. "From a financial standpoint, it appears viable to implement portions of the ACE model in an effort to turn around under-performing schools in Austin."

To read the full Urban Policy Research & Analysisreport, click here.

The dozen schools eyed for closure by Austin ISD are:

• Brooke Elementary is also targeted for closure. Students living north north of Lady Bird Lake would transfer to a renovated Govalle Elementary, and those south of Lady Bird Lake will go to Linder Elementary that will also be renovated. Plans call for re-purposing Brooke Elementary as affordable housing for teachers.
• Joslin Elementary also will be re-purposed once it closes, with students there moving to Galindo Elementary or a renovated St. Elmo Elementary. Plans call for transferring students currently at Galindo who live south of Ben White Boulevard to attend St. Elmo while students north of Ben White will stay at Galindo.
• Maplewood Elementary also slated for closure, with plans to move its students to Campbell Elementary where Maplewood’s arts program would be absorbed. Affected Maplewood students will be given the option of attending Blackshear Elementary that will be renovated and expanded.
• Already on the immediate chopping block is Metz Elementary, with re-purposing plans as well. Students there currently sharing a building at Sanchez Elementary would be transferred.
• Pease Elementary in downtown Austin will see its students transfer to Zavala Elementary or other neighborhood facilities. Plans call for concurrent renovation at Zavala.
• Pecan Springs Elementary also being eyed for re-purposing. Displaced students form Pecan Springs would move to a renovated Winn Elementary.
• Another post-closure re-purposing is eyed for Palm Elementary. Students there will be moved to Perez Elementary — another school scheduled for renovation. Some Perez students will attend Langford Elementary pending a re-zoning.
• Once it's closed, Ridgetop Elementary students will be transferred to Reilly Elementary pending the latter's renovation. Plans call for Reilly to offer two-way dual language programs in Spanish, Mandarin and English.
• Also to be shuttered is Bertha Sadler Means Young Women’s Leadership Academy, with plans to re-purpose that site for another function as well. Parents wanting their children to attend a similar single-gender facility will be given the option of transferring students to Ann Richards School for Young Women Leaders. Plans also call for construction of a co-ed middle school in the neighborhood.
• Sims Elementary, with plans for re-purposing and transferring students to a consolidated campus with Norman Elementary.
• Webb Middle School also will close, with its students transferred to Dobie Middle School contingent on the latter's renovation.