Austin Current

BREAKING: The Texas Education Agency denied Austin ISD's request to approve an 1882 partner to run its three chronically failing middle schools — Dobie, Webb and Burnet — that would have put a pause on the campuses accountability ratings and staved off a state takeover.

TEA denies Austin ISD 1882 turnaround request TEA on Thursday denied the district’s request to approve an 1882 partner to run its three chronically failing schools that would have put a pause on the campuses accountability ratings.

After weeks in ICE detention, Austin ISD senior Luis Fernando Cabrera Chavarria came home Wednesday night and reunited with his 2-year-old nephew and family. Austin Current's Acacia Coronado obtained exclusive video of the emotional reunion.

Austin ISD senior detained by ICE reunited with family After weeks in ICE detention, Austin ISD senior Luis Fernando Cabrera Chavarria reunited Wednesday with his sister and 2-year-old nephew.

As the City of Austin works to close its budget deficit, a crucial housing voucher program could be on the chopping block. But at a time when the city is increasing homeless encampment clean-ups, it’s unclear where the program’s nearly 400 residents could go.

Austin housing voucher program for homeless faces funding cuts Austin’s local housing voucher program for chronically homeless residents may face cuts amid budget deficits and increased encampment clean-ups.

Austin ISD is under investigation for the third time this year by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, this time over compliance with a state law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in classrooms.

Ken Paxton investigating AISD over Ten Commandments Austin ISD is under investigation by the Texas Attorney General’s Office for the third time this year.

Austin ISD board members voted in March to partner with Texas Council for International Studies and hand the nonprofit operational control of the three failing schools for the next three school years in a high-stakes effort to improve academic performance and prevent state action, records obtained by Austin Current show.

Austin ISD received single SB 1882 bidder for three middle schools ustin ISD had a lone bidder step forward to tackle the turnaround of three struggling middle schools as state intervention loomed.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton escalated his inquiry into Austin ISD as his office investigates a second allegation of a student using a bathroom inconsistent with their s*x assigned at birth as required by the state’s “bathroom bill.”

In a letter to the district, Paxton’s office said it received a complaint on April 2 alleging a male student used a girls’ restroom at Austin ISD’s Performing Arts Center and demanded information about district policies and enforcement actions related to the bathroom restrictions.

Paxton probes Austin ISD over bathroom complaint Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s second complaint prompts renewed records demand as state scrutinizes AISD enforcement of bathroom law.

More than a dozen Austin ISD teachers, staff and supporters packed into Thursday night’s school board meeting at the district’s headquarters to protest potential cuts, including reductions to teaching positions and stipends for roles like special education, warning the changes could directly harm educators and students.

Austin ISD educators rally against cuts As Austin ISD board members prepare to pass a budget for next school year, possible cuts could include teacher positions and planning time.

Austin has won a temporary reprieve in a high-stakes dispute with the state, after the governor’s office extended a deadline to roll back police limits on cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, or risk losing millions of dollars in public safety funding.

Austin ICE policy dispute with state gets extension Extension delays funding decision as Austin weighs legal risk and public safety dollars in ICE policy clash