Major New Investment in Austin School District – Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation

AUSTIN, Texas -- Austin School District Superintendent Dr. Pat Forgione today announced a $15.6 million investment from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation to support the implementation of AISD’s districtwide high school redesign plan.

As part of Austin’s continuing mission to prepare all its students for college and career, today’s investment builds on a previous grant to develop a redesign strategy for the district’s 11 high schools to ensure that all students graduate with the skills needed to prepare them for the challenges of college and the workplace.

“This historic partnership is the culmination of years of work on the part of many individuals who came together collaboratively to elevate the quality of instruction in our high schools,” said Dr. Forgione. “With the support of our Board of Trustees, our chambers of commerce, our elected officials, and key public-private partnerships, we have been empowered and enabled to work with principals and teachers to graduate all our students college-ready.”

In recent years, AISD has increased its focus on high school reform, based on the “new 3R’s” —academic rigor, relevant coursework, and stronger relationships between students and adults. In 2002, the district approved a college-preparatory curriculum for all students, two years ahead of the state requirement. Yet while some of the district’s high schools boast high student achievement, many students continue to struggle academically.

The components of high school redesign in Austin will vary based on individual campus and student needs, but could include elements such as small learning communities, advisory periods, student mentoring programs, or other research-based practices. As one approach to school-level transformation, four of Austin’s high schools will implement the First Things First model, developed by the Institute for Research and Reform in Education. First Things First is a proven school improvement model designed to raise academic standards and increase student and family supports.

Michelle Bruescher, a student at Akins High School, said she has already witnessed some of the positive changes at her school, as a result of early redesign initiatives at the South Austin campus.

“At Akins, I now have more guidance, greater support and more interaction with adults who are committed to my success,” she said. “The advisory period and small classes allow me to feel valued and supported, and I can get help when I need it, which is particularly important at a school as large as Akins.”

AISD also will provide campuses with targeted technical assistance, professional development opportunities, and community engagement support as a result of this investment. All these efforts will be evaluated regularly to inform future programs and provide staff with the appropriate tools and resources needed to succeed.

“We must provide all students with the education they need to graduate prepared for college and work,” said Steve Seleznow, program director for education at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. “With its strong, stable leadership and clear mission, AISD has demonstrated the commitment needed to ensure that every school can provide the high-quality education students deserve.”

In recent years, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation has partnered with the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation to improve high schools throughout the state to better prepare their students for the challenges of today’s global economy. These joint investments have helped support the Texas High School Project and the Texas Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics initiative.
 
“On behalf of the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, we are very pleased to continue our long-standing partnership with the Austin School District and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation” said Zeynep Young, program director for the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation (MSDF). “As the high school campuses focus on the 3 R’s of redesign—Rigor, Relevance, and Relationships—the funding from MSDF will allow AISD to develop systems to enhance the fourth R—Results. Our goal is to deliver timely, relevant, and easy-to-use achievement information to principals and teachers.”