Updated 05/28/2010 01:18 PM
Plans for Pearce MS, Reagan HS focus on college prep
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• Pearce Middle School Tuesday at Pearce Middle School from 6-7 p.m.
• Andrews Elementary cafeteria Wednesday from 10:15-11:15 a.m. and in the library from 5:30-6:30 p.m.
• Blanton Elementary cafeteria Tuesday from 5-6 p.m.
• Harris Elementary cafeteria Wednesday 6-7 p.m.
• Pecan Springs Elementary cafeteria Tuesday from 6-7 p.m.
• Winn Elementary library Tuesday 2:30-3:30 p.m.
After a year of meeting with parents, teachers and the community, the Austin Independent School District has a plan to turn Pearce Middle and Reagan High Schools around.
Pearce has been below academic standards for the past five years. Reagan High School has failed for the past four years.
The repurposing plans for both Pearce and Reagan include state-mandated changes, and the reorganization of the teachers and staff. Those plans have been approved by the board and are headed to the state commissioner to be looked over.
Both schools hope to focus on college prep as they move forward. That's the theme of their new "vertical team" programs which will start from elementary school and progress up to high school.
Paul Cruz is AISD’s Chief Schools Officer.
“We need to prepare our kids for post-secondary settings. Whether through a certification program or a four-year program, but the intent is to make sure our kids are ready for college," he said.
Reagan High School students could have the opportunity to study Early College Prep, Digital Media or Health and Sciences. Each program would be in connection with the Texas High School Project to help students earn up to 60 credit hours for college.
However, the college-prep mission starts long before high school.
"The middle schools also have their direction, and the elementary schools also have their direction,” Cruz said. “That's what we call a signature program and we're doing this across all of our vertical teams."
The redesign plans would go into effect June 7 if the schools score acceptable ratings on the TAKS test. The plans have not yet to be approved by AISD board members.
One public hearing on the plans takes place Tuesday at Pearce Middle School from 6-7 p.m.
Meetings will also take place Tuesday or Wednesday at each of the five elementary schools that currently feed into Pearce.
For more information, visit AustinISD.org.
To look up how a school or district in your area rates, visit the Texas Education Agency's AEIS page.
You can also take a look at the 2006 rules which indicate the TEA commissioner can revoke a districts accreditation if it fails to meet certain guidelines. TEA also has a list of districts ratings.