BREAKING DOWN the grade Austin ISD is removing sixth grade from Martin and Mendez middle schools due to failing grades from the Texas Education Agency. AISD leadership has said Mendez Middle School speci cally could face closure over back-to-back failures. MARTINMIDDLE SCHOOL
Austin ISD students who would have attended Martin or Mendez middle school for sixth grade will now have a choice to remain at their elementary schools or attend a district-approved alternative middle school. on the move SIXTH GRADE
MOPAC
JOHNNY MORRIS RD.
290
12
14
LAKE AUSTIN BLVD.
Martin Middle School
Mendez Middle School
15
Elementary schools adding sixth grade 1 Allison 2 Govalle 3 Josephine 4 Langford 5 Ortega 6 Perez 7 Rodriguez 8 Sanchez
20
19
W. 7TH ST.
2 5
183 TOLL
10
360
17
8
18
State performance rating: four failing scores 2012-19* Economically disadvantaged students: 93% Precentage of students who met grade level academically:
290
1
35
71
13
65%
100% 60% 80%
Zavala Widen
9
7
3
183
22%
10
11
9
20% 40%
Middle school alternatives
NUCKOLS CROSSING RD.
4
0
6
Bedichek
11
16
MAP NOT TO SCALE N
Bertha Sadler Means Young Women's Leadership Academy
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“The goal is to make all of our cam- puses strong options,” Mays said. What is happening? In the last week of January, Eric Ramos, a sixth grade special educa- tion teacher at Martin Middle School, was summoned to a meeting. “When we got to the meeting, they told us, ‘These are your options for employment next year,’’’ Ramos said. “When we asked what they were talking about, that’s when they said, ‘’Oh, by the way, Martin is not going to have sixth grade next year.’” According to Ramos, teachers were assured they would still have a job with AISD, but not all of them would be able to stay at Martin next year. Families of Martin and Mendez stu- dents were also informed at the end
MENDEZMIDDLE SCHOOL TEA rating: ve failing ratings 2012-19* Economically disadvantaged students: Percentage of students who met grade level academically:
Previously closed elementary schools
Covington
13
Brooke
Norman-Sims Pease
17
19
Garcia
14
O. Henry Paredes
15
Metz 18
20
SOURCES: AUSTIN ISD, TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
16
96%
not new to AISD, which already has four schools with sixth grade. Prospective Mendez and Martin students can also choose to move to a alternative middle school. With the focus on seventh and eighth grade students, district leaders are hopeful that academic performance at Martin and Mendez will improve. While some are worried the move is a precursor to the campuses clos- ing, Mays said the move is directed at improving current conditions.
CONTINUED FROM 1
62%
100% 60% 80%
going from fth grade to sixth grade within the Mendez and Martin ver- tical team,” AISD Chief of Schools Anthony Mays said in a Facebook Live discussing the transition. Students who would have entered sixth grade at Martin and Mendez middle schools will now have the option of remaining at their elemen- tary school an additional year. Having sixth grade at elementary schools is
19%
20% 40%
0
*The TEA did not give districts overall ratings in 2020-21 due to the pandemic. Students did not take standardized tests in 2020.
SOURCES: AUSTIN ISD, TEXAS EDUCATION AGENCY COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER
ZILKER PARK | APRIL 3 RD
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COMMUNITY IMPACT NEWSPAPER • COMMUNITYIMPACT.COM
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