When it comes to the newly released TAKS scores, at the local level, all eyes focus on two campuses in the Austin Independent
School District who have failed to meet state standards in the past.

The schools have observed protests, endured meetings and heard about the countless efforts to improve test scores.

The moment of truth for Pearce Middle School and Johnston High School came Friday morning as the Austin Independent School District released the latest information.

Mel Waxler general counsel for the Austin Independent School District said 2008 TAKS scores show students at the high school made vast improvements over last year's scores.

"The board and superintendent are as proud as can be of the
students accomplishments at Johnston High School," Waxler said.

Ann Smisko, assistant superintendent for curriculum and instruction said 10th grade science scores went up 21 percent and 9th grade math scores jumped 14 percent.

"There has been an incredible amount of work on the part of the
students, the parents and the teachers at that campus," Smisko said.

While that hard work helped improve scores from last year, it may not be enough to keep Johnston High School open.

"The TAKS test alone is not the only factor that makes up the
accountability system," she said.

The school failed to meet state standards four years in a row and will now have to wait for the Texas Education Agency's decision.

According to Texas law, after five years of failing to meet standards schools could be forced to shut down.

Pearce Middle School failed for the past three years.

"We had some spotty results we had some gains in several areas, we had fantastic gains in social studies, in a couple of areas we had some declines," she said.

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"That's all they asked for, so we did it," Jimenez said.

Waxler said the fate of Johnston High School is now in the hands of the TEA which will be announced August 1.

"We rest assured that the best possible decision that can be made will be made," Waxler said.