As the summer came to an end, rising seventh graders Jimena Castelan and Laila Patrick found themselves reflecting on their experiences and anxieties about returning to Dobie Middle School. Sitting in the cafeteria, they colorfuly decorated tiles as part of the Promise Neighborhood Summer Camp, which aimed to prepare students for the upcoming school year.
The anticipation was mingled with concern; both students expressed worries about their favorite subject, theater, and the possibility of its absence this year due to a staffing crisis. “I don’t know if there’s going to be theater,” Jimena declared.
Her friend Laila echoed her sentiments, pointing out the significant number of teachers who had decided not to return to the school. “A lot of teachers aren’t coming back,” Laila said, echoing the fears of many students.
The Promise Neighborhood Summer Camp, attended by around 70 students from Dobie, Burnet, and Webb Middle Schools, sought to provide both academic support and emotional encouragement amid a tumultuous year. This summer camp was particularly crucial following a challenging spring for the three schools.
In early summer, district officials made headlines by announcing required changes at the campuses after failing to meet state academic standards for multiple years. The looming threat of state intervention has cast a shadow over the schools.
Should another failing grade be recorded this year, the state could take control of the district, a scenario that many fear could mirror the recent Houston district takeover due to prolonged academic failures.
The Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) A-F rating system takes academic performance seriously, basing grades largely on student performance in the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) tests.
All three middle schools involved have only officially received two “F” ratings, but predictions for the impending score releases indicated that the district anticipates additional unacceptable ratings, which intensifies the urgency for improvement.
In response to the dire situation, organizations like Austin Voices for Education and Youth organized programs to prepare students academically and emotionally for a fresh school year.
Activities at the summer camp included tailored math and reading instruction. Jon David Saucedo, a volunteer teacher from Walnut Creek Elementary School, noticed a positive impact with students expressing newfound understanding of math concepts.
“I’ve had students say, ‘I didn’t get this before but now I get it,’” Saucedo reflected on the improvements he witnessed.
Weeks before the start of the school year, teachers at Burnet held training sessions to prepare for the challenges they would face. Burnet’s Principal, Natalie Cardona-Villanueva, indicated that the staff had already planned the curriculum for the first nine weeks to ensure students would be adequately supported.
Band director Javier Ayala, who was glad to return, noted the excitement among students regarding music programs at Burnet, and expressed optimism about achieving the needed improvements at the school.
“We all had a choice of staying or leaving,” Ayala said.
He emphasized the commitment many teachers have to make a difference. However, the statistics surrounding teacher retention raised concerns; only 29% of Dobie staff members, 59% of Burnet staff members, and 50% of Webb staff members were eligible to return.
Given this, the district sought to select core subject teachers based on their capability to meet academic improvement targets and their experience level, with a minimum requirement of three years.
Data from the Texas Education Agency showed that Dobie had a notably lower average teacher experience relative to Burnet and Webb.
With the stakes substantially raised, the plans for each campus included teacher pay incentives, daily dedicated math and reading lessons, and a significant allocation of resources intended to support instruction—amounting to $1.7 million per school.
Attaining at least a “C” rating is crucial for meeting academic compliance standards under state law, which threatens sanctions such as campus closure or district takeover for repeated failures.
Parents and students alike sense an air of uncertainty, yet for many, including Regina Martinez, the fresh school year brings a glimmer of hope. As the grandmother of a Webb seventh grader, Martinez expressed relief that her grandson would have the same special education teacher, which she believes contributes to a quality education.
“I like how much they care about the students,” Martinez affirmed, appreciating the patience and dedication of Webb teachers.
Further contributing to the positive energy around the upcoming school year was Webb student Yareni Hernandez, who is preparing for her eighth-grade year. During a celebratory bash at the campus, she voiced her enthusiasm for the new year and the goals she set for herself.
“I want to be busy,” Yareni stated, emphasizing her desire to participate in clubs and activities as she works toward a future in the medical field.
As the new school year approaches, the students, families, and educators at Dobie, Burnet, and Webb Middle Schools brace for change, hopeful that the adjustments implemented will help build a stronger educational foundation moving forward.
image source from：statesman
