Sen. Kirk Watson, D-Austin, drew a strong turnout at Johnston High Tuesday night for a community forum focused on keeping the school open.

After four straight years of an "Unacceptable" rating by the Texas Education Agency and failing standardized test scores, time is running out. Just a few months ago, the TEA threatened to close the school for low performance.

"The situation is very critical and it is very significant because
this school could be shut down," Watson said.

The TEA gave Johnston one more year to improve test scores.

"It's not enough just to ask nice. It's not enough to exercise
political muscle. It's not enough to have us to all want for it to stay open. The truth is it must merit staying open," Watson said.

School officials hope better communication and a new curriculum
will help bring up test scores enough to keep the school open.

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"I'm very concerned because I have a grandson and a granddaughter that I need for them to go through here. This is a family school," she said.

The large turnout at Tuesday night's forum is an encouraging
sign that the community is concerned and willing to help.

Educational leaders say communication between parents,
students and administration is the only way to improve performance.

"This is just the beginning," Olivas said. "I think it's a wake up call for everybody."

Johnston drastically redesigned its curriculum in 2005 but their
TAKS test scores dropped even lower.

This year the school district is trying to improve performance by
using small learning communities and a family advocate system.