Turnaround Schools: The Austin Way Council of Great City Schools, October 21, 2010 Meria Joel Carstarphen, Ed.D., Superintendent Paul Cruz, Ph.D., Chief Schools Officer Austin Independent School District

Context of AISD 86,103 students 124 schools (including special campuses) 6,067 teachers Austin ISD CGCS (512)

3 Our Theory of Action By setting clear goals and consistent policies for school improvement and identifying proven programs and partners to address these needs, Austin ISD will rapidly accelerate student achievement, particularly for the District’s most chronically underperforming schools.

Austin ISD CGCS (512) Accountability & School Design Framework: Education Plus 1. Education Approach and Theory of Action for Teaching and Learning Rigorous and Coherent College/Life/Work-ready Curriculum for All Students Action Steps: 1.1, 1.2, 1.5, 1.7, 1.8., 1.10, 1.12, 1.16, 1.24, 1.22, 3.7, AU CLUSTER (separate org. cluster) 6. MULTI-YEAR AU (Turnaround partners) Action Steps: 1.3, 1.5, 1.8, 1.16, 1.22, INNOVATIVE PROGRAM SCHOOL (Ex. Ann Richards School ) Action Steps: 1.16, 1.7, 1.14, VERTICAL TEAM PROGRAM FOCUS (Ex IB Pathway of vertical team schools ) Action Steps: 1.12, 1.16, 1.2, 1.8, PERFORMANCE- BASED EMPOWERMENT AND AUTONOMY (Required and optional educational program components determined by school performance.) Action Steps: 1.16, 1.3, 3.9 All Schools Most Schools (over time) Some Schools (over time) Very Few Schools (and declining)

Austin ISD CGCS (512) Campus Interventions Policy Policy establishes the general framework to identify schools for potential intervention Policy is part of comprehensive approach that supports success of each school in alignment with Strategic Plan

Austin ISD CGCS (512) Campus Interventions Policy: Possible Interventions School Redesign -Whole School -Program Enhancement Consolidation School Closure/Re-Open School Closure

Austin ISD CGCS (512) Campus Interventions Policy: Process Requirements Public Involvement - Public Meeting at School - Public Hearing at Central Office - Online Public Engagement Options Recommendation Presented to Board One Semester Prior to Implementation Transition to New Model Conducted in Accordance with Other Adopted Policies

Austin ISD CGCS (512) School Turnaround RFP Proposals solicited for whole school redesign and program enhancement Priority given to proposals that assist campuses designated Academically Unacceptable and that advance development of signature vertical team programs Thirty-five proposals received. Six whole- school & 29 program enhancement.

Austin ISD CGCS (512) School Turnaround RFP Four programs received funding for whole-school turnaround -Two high schools implementing early college high school -Two middles school participating in early college prep initiative Two programs funded for signature program expansion – one for AVID, one for fine arts One proposal funded to provide targeted assistance to 8 th grade & 9 th grade students for three East Austin high schools and six feeder middle schools.

Austin ISD CGCS (512) East Austin Schools Plan Strategic Plan Directive to Develop a Plan to Effectively Serve East Austin Schools Plan Covers Three Vertical Teams 35 schools 18,000 students Six of eight schools rated as “academically unacceptable” in are part of targeted vertical teams

Austin ISD CGCS (512) East Austin Schools Plan Community dialogue led to development of plan that includes the following elements: College & Career Readiness Early Childhood Education Quality PK-12 Programs Access to College/Career Opportunities & Technological Infrastructure Technology Access College & Career Access

Austin ISD CGCS (512) Implications for Other Districts, the Public & Policymakers Align policies & goals Address PK-12 needs by vertical teams and align supports across vertical team Identify innovative school models & programs that address identified needs Establish community partnerships to address Issues not entirely under the District’s control

Visit f or all of AISD’s Council of Great City School presentations and handouts AISD CGCS Presentations 13 AISD REACH: Supporting & Rewarding Educator Excellence David Lussier, Executive Director, Educator Quality Urban Students with Disabilities and Secondary Education Janna Lilly, Director, Special Education Dr. Paul Cruz, Chief Schools Officer Turnaround Schools: The Austin Way Meria Joel Carstarphen, Ed.D., Superintendent Dr. Paul Cruz, Chief Schools Officer Using Technology to Engage Stakeholders in Shared Ownership and Accountability for Austin ISD’s Strategic Direction Meria Joel Carstarphen, Ed.D., Superintendent John Alawneh, Executive Director, Technology Janis Guerrero, Executive Director, Planning & Community Relations