“School board members have lauded the process that Travis Heights used to garner support for the transformation, which they approved last month.  Unlike the district’s failed partnership with [another charter school]… the move to turn Travis Heights into a charter school had the enthusiastic backing of the school’s parents and teachers, joined byAustin Interfaith and Education Austin.

‘It’s a real democratic process that empowers the parents, empowers the teachers, empowers the students,’ said Britt Adams, a special education teacher at the school.”

[Photo Credit: Laura Skelding, Austin American Statesman]

Travis Heights Will Be Austin District’s First Home-Grown Charter School, Austin American Statesman

New Charter Gets School Board Blessing, KXAN (12/18)

Austin School Trustees Vote to End IDEA Charter Partnership, Austin American Statesman (12/18)

Additional background here

“Trustees voted unanimously Monday night to approve a full-scale charter partnership for Travis Heights Elementary.  The charter will be managed by a board representing teachers, community members, the district’s labor group Education Austin, and Austin Interfaith.  But unlike IDEA, school leaders agreed not to move forward on the charter unless it had the support of a majority of its teachers and the neighboring community. The school’s leaders will have greater power over their budget and curriculum.”

New Charter Gets School Board Blessing, KXAN

Austin School Trustees Vote to End IDEA Charter Partnership, Austin American Statesman

Additional background here

“Travis Heights Innovation School Project ….is a collaborative proposal developed by the neighborhood, the school itself, employee union Education Austin, and local nonprofit Austin Interfaith. It would still be the same students and same staff on the same campus: However, rather than taking edicts from AISD central administration, the campus would have a governing board with parents, teachers, and a seat each for Education Austin and Austin Interfaith….”

Austin School Board Considers…, Austin American Statesman

School Board Discussing Charters, IDEA, KUT News

Community Backed Charter in Travis Heights Goes to the Board, Austin Chronicle

The Future of Travis Heights Elementary School, Fox News 7

Travis Heights Elementary Applies To Become a Charter School, YNN Austin

“Travis Heights is looking to partner with Education Austin and Austin Interfaith to start an in-district charter model allowing the school to have more autonomy. The school would focus on curriculum with its dual-language program, service learning model and a piloted blended learning program that incorporates digital media, Carstarphen said.  “They’re not asking for more money; they’re asking for more flexibility….”

AISD Board Discusses Potential Academic, Facilities Recommendations, Community Impact Newspaper

New In-District Charter Would Need Teacher, Community OK, Austin American Statesman