The district asked TEA to consider a monitor in April, which is a step down from a state conservatorship.
In a nutshell
AISD will review the proposal and consider it as an alternative, according to an email from interim superintendent Matias Segura.
The plan includes requirements for the board and superintendent to attend Lone Star Governance training, dedicate 50% of future board meeting time to discussing student outcomes and update special education policies and procedures. It would require the district to complete all outstanding evaluations and meet other deadlines and requirements established by the TEA. The full proposal can be read here.
Also of note
The district highlighted progress made since March to reimagine special education which has included:
- Pending evaluations have decreased by approximately 35% since January 2023.
- Evaluation staff has increased from 22 to 74 licensed specialists in school psychology and diagnosticians.
- School staff completed two days of special education professional development last spring in preparation for additional training over the summer.
- 50 additional special education staff were onboarded to accommodate students needing services.
An update in regards to TEA's plan will be presented during a board meeting on Aug. 31. The new proposal requires a board vote by Sept. 29 and will likely take place on Sept. 21 during a board meeting.
Quote of note
"Working to serve some of our most vulnerable students better is integral to our vision to be Austin’s home for inclusive learning, and we look forward to our continued dialogue with TEA leadership, our board and our community to achieve our goals," Segura said in the email. "Strong schools create a stronger Austin."
For more information, visit www.austinisd.org.
