TEXAS — Achievement gaps at Austin Independent School District are narrowing. The district is projecting eight of its schools will drop their “F” ratings for the 2026 testing year based on reports from a mid-year test for elementary students. Austin ISD is attributing this success to some changes that have been made in recent years regarding instructional material and professional training.
Most of Austin ISD’s 79 elementary schools transitioned into using the same curriculum for both reading and math last school year. This was done to have more standardized material for every student across the district, no matter which school they attend.
“All teachers district-wide are aligned with the type of instruction that we’re giving students is going a really long way into making sure that students are all getting equitable instruction,” said Grace Carriker-Cavin, a second-grade teacher at Pleasant Hill Elementary School…