Parents or guardians in Leander ISD may now apply to serve as an educational access ambassador for the 2024-25 school year.

The program allows parents to represent and work alongside the district’s Office of Educational Access, formerly known as the Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.

The overview

The role of educational access ambassadors will include:
  • Advocating for enhanced educational access for all students and families in LISD
  • Providing updates on the work of the Office of Educational Access to their feeder pattern communities
  • Presenting recommendations and concerns for the Office of Educational Access to review and address
  • Participating in monthly meetings featuring updates from the Office of Educational Access and adult learning on inclusive practices and cultural competency
Parents or guardians must have a student who is currently enrolled in the district to participate.

Applications must be submitted by 5 p.m. Oct. 4.


How it works

LISD Office of Educational Access officials will review applications to ensure they meet the criteria and guidelines for participation. Applications that meet those requirements will be scored using a rubric through a blind review process.

The district will give priority to applicants that support balance across feeder patterns and campus levels, according to district information.

A maximum of 36 ambassadors will be selected for the program.


In case you missed

In February, the district’s board of trustees voted to change the name of LISD’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion to the Office of Educational Access.

The change was made “to better reflect the mission and actual work of the office” and align with one of LISD’s strategic plan goals of providing equitable access to students, according to the district's website. The office focuses on ensuring equitable access for student activities, reducing academic gaps and providing professional development for staff.

In January, Senate Bill 17 went into effect banning DEI offices and initiatives for all public universities and colleges in Texas. The law does not apply to public school districts.


Next steps

Meetings for LISD’s educational access ambassadors will be held Wednesdays from 5:30-6:45 p.m. at the Leander Extended Opportunity Center on the following dates:
  • Oct. 30
  • Nov. 20
  • Jan. 29
  • Feb. 26
  • March 26
  • April 30
Selected ambassadors must be willing to attend all scheduled meetings, according to district information.