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TEA Offers To Transfer Students Out Of Under-performing Schools


You have options if your child is attending an under-performing school.  That's the message the Texas Education Agency is sending out along with a list of affected schools.  TEA Spokeswoman Debbie Radcliffe says there shouldn't be any surprises on the list, "So their community is already aware that the school is struggling in at least one area, maybe more."

The list of Austin ISD schools on the list includes -

• Bedichek Middle School
• Burnet Middle School
• Eastside Memorial High School
• Garcia Middle School
• Lamar Middle School
• LBJ High School
• Mendez Middle School
• Pearce Middle School

For the complete list of all Texas public schools on the list follow this link to a PDF file - http://ritter.tea.state.tx.us/perfreport/peg/2012/peg_list_2013-14.pdf.

The publication of the school list is required by the oddly titled "Public Education Grant Program."  This program gives you an out if you're unhappy with your child's school.  It says in part, "… a parent of a student enrolled in any campuses listed may make application to attend a campus in any other district for the 2013-14 school year." But in reality few students have taken advantage of this offer since it began in 1995.  Radcliffe explains, "Because there's no transportation provided as part of this program.  So it really becomes hard for some families to have their child move far away."

Supporters of the schools also stress that just because a school is on a low performing list doesn't mean that students here can't be excelling.  Gabriel Rincon has friends who attended Eastside Memorial.  She says, "They all loved the school.  They're now successful in life."  The TEA says if your child is successful at their school, it might be best if they stayed put.

By Fred Cantu