A group committed to fighting to keep Pearce Middle School and Johnston High School open gathered on the steps of the State Capitol Saturday.

They wore stickers that read, "A child is more than a test score," and T-shirts protesting the schools' closures.

Catherine Tymniak is a Johnston High graduate; she wants students to be able to have the same experiences she did.

"It was a great community to be a part of and a great place to learn and meet people," Tymniak said.

Johnston High is in danger of closing because of years of poor performance. Pearce Middle School is in a similar situation. Both schools have shown some improvement in test scores but remain below the state requirements.

Some legislators said closing schools is not going to improve education.

"The future well-being of our communities and our state is dependent on a quality public education for every single child," State Rep. Donna Howard, D-Austin, said.

Supporters want to change the law that allows poor performing schools to close.

Cheryl Bradley is on the Austin Independent School District Board of Trustees, and she said she wants to continue to improve the education the students are receiving.

"I want there to be quality education in those schools," Bradley said. "We cannot, we cannot, have mediocrity in our schools and expect our children to come out and perform well."

Tymniak believes the community values she learned at Johnston High have formed the foundation for her life.

"There was a real closeness there that I haven't experienced anywhere else in life," she said.

The Texas Education Agency will make the final decision on whether or not to close the schools.