Turnaround Schools: The Austin WayCouncil of Great City Schools, October 21, 2010

Meria Joel Carstarphen, Ed.D., SuperintendentPaul Cruz, Ph.D., Chief Schools Officer

Austin Independent School District

Context of AISDContext of AISD• 86,103 students

• 124 schools (including special campuses)

• 6,067 teachers

Austin ISD CGCS 2010 www.austinisd.org, (512) 414-1700 2

Austin ISD CGCS 2010 www.austinisd.org, (512) 414-1700 3

Our Theory of ActionOur Theory of ActionBy 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 mostchronically underperforming schools.

Austin ISD CGCS 2010 www.austinisd.org, (512) 414-1700 4

Accountability & School DesignAccountability & School DesignFramework: Education PlusFramework: Education Plus

1. Education Approach and Theory of Action for Teaching and LearningRigorous 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, 3.9

5. AU CLUSTER (separate org. cluster)

6. MULTI-YEAR AU (Turnaround partners)Action Steps: 1.3, 1.5, 1.8, 1.16, 1.22, 1.24

4. INNOVATIVE PROGRAM

SCHOOL(Ex. Ann Richards School) Action Steps:1.16, 1.7, 1.14, 1.24

3. VERTICAL TEAM

PROGRAM FOCUS

(Ex IB Pathway of vertical team schools )

Action Steps:1.12, 1.16, 1.2, 1.8, 1.22

2. PERFORMANCE-

BASED EMPOWERMENT AND AUTONOMY

(Required and optional educational program components determined by school performance.)

Action Steps:1.16, 1.3, 3.9

All SchoolsMost

Schools

(over time) Some Schools

(over time)

Very Few Schools (and declining)

Austin ISD CGCS 2010 www.austinisd.org, (512) 414-1700 5

Campus Interventions PolicyCampus 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 2010 www.austinisd.org, (512) 414-1700 6

Campus Interventions Policy:Campus Interventions Policy:Possible InterventionsPossible Interventions

•School Redesign-Whole School-Program Enhancement

•Consolidation

•School Closure/Re-Open

•School Closure

Austin ISD CGCS 2010 www.austinisd.org, (512) 414-1700 7

Campus Interventions Policy:Campus Interventions Policy:Process RequirementsProcess Requirements

•Public Involvement- Public Meeting at School- Public Hearing at Central Office- Online Public Engagement Options

•Recommendation Presented to BoardOne Semester Prior to Implementation

•Transition to New Model Conducted inAccordance with Other Adopted Policies

Austin ISD CGCS 2010 www.austinisd.org, (512) 414-1700 8

School Turnaround RFPSchool 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 2010 www.austinisd.org, (512) 414-1700 9

School Turnaround RFPSchool 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 8th grade & 9th grade students for three East Austin high schools and six feeder middle schools.

Austin ISD CGCS 2010 www.austinisd.org, (512) 414-1700 10

East Austin Schools PlanEast Austin Schools Plan• Strategic Plan Directive to Develop a Plan to

Effectively Serve East Austin Schools

• Plan Covers Three Vertical Teams35 schools18,000 students

• Six of eight schools rated as“academically unacceptable” in2009-10 are part of targeted vertical teams

Austin ISD CGCS 2010 www.austinisd.org, (512) 414-1700 11

East Austin Schools PlanEast Austin Schools PlanCommunity dialogue led to development of plan that includes the following elements:

College & Career ReadinessEarly Childhood EducationQuality PK-12 Programs

Access to College/Career Opportunities& Technological Infrastructure

Technology AccessCollege & Career Access

Austin ISD CGCS 2010 www.austinisd.org, (512) 414-1700 12

Implications for Other Districts,Implications for Other Districts,

the Public & Policymakersthe Public & Policymakers•Align policies & goals

•Address PK-12 needs by vertical teams and align supports across vertical team

•Identify innovative school models & programsthat address identified needs

•Establish community partnerships to addressIssues not entirely under the District’scontrol

Visit www.austinisd.org for all of AISD’s Council of Great City School presentations and handouts

AISD CGCS PresentationsAISD CGCS Presentations

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AISD REACH: Supporting & Rewarding Educator Excellence David Lussier, Executive Director, Educator Quality

Urban Students with Disabilities and Secondary EducationJanna Lilly, Director, Special Education Dr. Paul Cruz, Chief Schools Officer

Turnaround Schools: The Austin WayMeria 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 DirectionMeria Joel Carstarphen, Ed.D., SuperintendentJohn Alawneh, Executive Director, TechnologyJanis Guerrero, Executive Director, Planning & Community Relations