Efforts are in full effect to turn around Eastside Memorial High School, which last year was in danger of closing because of poor academic performance.
As part of its work to keep the school open, the Austin ISD board of trustees in May selected Talent Development Secondary, a program of Johns Hopkins University, to serve as the partnering entity to lead school improvement at EMHS and strengthen the achievement of students feeding into the high school. In June, the Texas Education Agency commissioner approved the EMHS improvement plan, which was implemented at the start of the 2013–14 school year, Superintendent Meria Carstarphen said Oct. 14.
"I've personally been in contact with the commissioner to make sure he was up to speed," she added.
On Oct. 14, EMHS Principal Bryan Miller presented the first quarterly report to the Austin ISD board of trustees on the school's progress. The plan includes goals of adding new programs, increasing availability of teacher training and intervening to help students in need of increased instruction. In the first six weeks of the school year, EMHS has had several successes including a few academic distinction designations, he said.
