Austin ISD’s application to partner with a charter school to support three academically struggling middle schools was denied by the Texas Education Agency, district officials announced May 28.
What’s happening
In March, AISD officials chose Texas Council for International Studies to operate Burnet, Dobie and Webb middle schools this fall. Under the three-year-long agreement, TCIS must help the three low-performing middle schools receive a state rating of C or higher by the 2027-28 school year, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
On May 28, district officials announced that the TEA denied the district’s initial application to contract with TCIS. In a letter from the agency, TEA officials noted that the application was denied due to TCIS’ “lack of ... capacity necessary to successfully turn around the campuses.”
However, AISD officials intend to reapply with additional information to be reconsidered.
“While this response is disappointing, I want to assure you that this is not the end of the process,” AISD Superintendent Matias Segura said in a news release. “... We look forward to sharing additional details with TEA that reinforce our certainty that TCIS has the experience and capacity required to meaningfully improve student outcomes at these three schools.”
How we got here
The decision to partner with a charter school came after Burnet, Dobie and Webb middle schools each received their fourth consecutive F rating from TEA in 2025. If a Texas public school receives five or more consecutive failed ratings, the TEA commissioner is required to close the campus or take over the district, according to previous Community Impact reporting.
Through Senate Bill 1882, school districts can receive additional funding and a two-year exemption from state accountability interventions by partnering with a charter school, higher education institution, government entities or nonprofits, according to TEA information.
What they’re saying
The Central Texas Legislative Delegation, a bipartisan coalition of lawmakers, released a statement May 28 supporting AISD and TCIS’ potential partnership in response to TEA’s rejection.
“While the TEA is tasked with supporting our schools, our local leaders are the ones actually on the ground doing the hard work to ensure student success,” the statement reads. “We still believe they are best suited to foster the academic achievement of our children, and we stand with them.”
Segura stated in a news release that district officials “look forward” to submitting more details to TEA that TCIS has the ability to improve student outcomes at each middle school.
“This procedural step does not slow down our momentum,” Segura said. “We are continuously working in partnership with our board to ensure our resources are strategically allocated to support systemic improvement across all campuses, especially where our students need the most support to reach their highest potential. We have a lot to be proud of, and our trajectory is strong.”
