Education
BY DACIA GARCIA & BROOKE SJOBERG
Education Edition
2025
Readers, welcome to your annual CI Education Edition! Education in Texas has undergone some signi cant changes over the last few months. As the landscape in Texas and beyond continues to evolve at a rapid pace, our team of local reporters is looking at how those changes will a ect you, your family, and the Cedar Park/Far Northwest Austin community. This month, we’re taking an in-depth look at the changes and challenges facing the Leander Independent School District, as well as digging into some statewide coverage that will a ect all Texans in the coming months. We’re catching up on the A-F accountability ratings from the Texas Education Agency, which have been held up in legal battles for the last several months. And we’ll be reporting on updates from Austin Community College and Round Rock ISD to provide comprehensive coverage of the education news that matters in your community.
What's inside
See how local districts fared in the latest TEA accountability ratings (Page 16)
Steve Guntli Editor sguntli@ communityimpact.com
Catch up on the latest statewide education laws (Page 18)
Get college admission tips from CollegePros (Page 20)
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Austin Community College enrollment rises Current Austin Community College enrollment is nearing 44,000 students, showing a near 10% growth from fall 2024’s enrollment numbers. The details According to a news release, more than 10,300 students are using the college’s Free Tuition Pilot program, which allows students to take classes without paying tuition or general fees for up to three years. In fall 2024, only 4,800 students enrolled in the program. The program is open to high school graduates from the class of 2024 and Texas GED graduates from the ACC service area. Digging deeper The news release stated the college is witnessing growth in various areas of study, with the largest growth in health sciences, up in enrollment by 19%.
ACC awarded $3.6M semiconductor grant Austin Community College received a $3.6 million grant from the state of Texas in August. In a nutshell Per an Aug. 14 news release from Gov. Greg Abbott’s o ce, the grant is part of the Texas Semiconductor Innovation Fund, an incentive program to encourage semicon- ductor research, design and manufacturing in Texas. The fund grants state and higher educa- tional institutions money for manufacturing and design projects. How we got here ACC received the grant based on a semi- conductor manufacturing lab and precision welding program at its Round Rock campus.
Enrollment in ACC's Free Tuition Pilot Program
12K
10K
10,300
8K
6K
4K
4,800
2K 0
Fall 2024
Fall 2025
SOURCE: AUSTIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE COMMUNITY IMPACT
“The enrollment surge is proof that more students are choosing ACC as their pathway to a better future,” ACC Chancellor Dr. Russell Low- ery-Hart said. “That doesn’t happen without the dedication and teamwork of our faculty and sta . This is what it looks like when a college commu- nity comes together to put students rst.”
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CEDAR PARK FAR NORTHWEST AUSTIN EDITION
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