Education X Podcast

Join Cuitlahuac, Candace, and Emily as they take a look at three of the major issues facing the Austin Independent School district: Essential Areas redesign, selection of an interim superintendent, and the budget. 

I recently got intwined in the snarl that is Austin ISD communication. I attempted to make a public comment based on the requirements on the website and the outgoing instructional recording. However I was informed today that the language is incorrect and my comments do not meet the threshold to be played. Lesson learned; all my future comments will be made in person. Below is the social media post...

Candace shares all the feels as Austin ISD moves to optional masking beginning Monday March, 7; the week before Spring Break and SXSW.

The AISDXP team commiserates with our co-host, Emily, a parent at Martin and attempts to analyze and reflect on the Austin ISD's decision to remove 6th grade from  two Eastside middle schools and the community engagement around the decision.  Austin ISD Q & A on the change: https://fb.watch/bnvMyKRmMi/ (English) https://fb.watch/bnvQAOTo9i/ (Spanish)

Candace looks at how stressful it is educating kids, and how the district can start to heal itself and the community.

The AISDXP team talks Covid, scheduling (7/8), community engagement, long range planning and feeder patterns. Accompany resource can be found at https://docs.google.com/document/d/1O0kbzhSN3iNDUKoZO9KUnxBO7qJ7_TReKwDO14kxmFQ/edit?usp=sharing 

Emily discusses the need for a holistic discussion about feeder patterns in Austin ISD, and touches on a few of the various methods of enrollment design. Links: Example of a healthy feeder pattern Example of a fractured feeder pattern Segregation Contribution Index A Vox explainer highlighting the work of Tomàs Monarrez and the Urban Institute on school boundaries  Dividing Lines: How School...

This week Candace prepares to take her 7th grader to the High School Fair in the hope of finding a program aligned to her daughter's current course of study in Digital Arts.

Basic breakdown of Period Scheduling and lots of questions.

In an attempt to provide clarification for the community Austin ISD publishes Myth Buster posts. However this only served to increase the chasm between administration and some district families.

This BlogCast captures Candace's thoughts about the Austin ISD Middle School Fair on 11/13/21.

Welcoming our new host. Emily, Candace and Cuitlahuac talk about the contract extension given to the Austin ISD superintendent. The three also weigh in on the district's long range planning committee, and the superintendent's scorecard currently being drafted by trustees. 

In this Blog Cast Candace shares some thoughts around middle school magnet/arts academy programing and its impact on neighborhood schools.

Candace and Cuitlahuac share their hot take on the latest regarding the new Northeast Middle School being built in the Mueller development, an what they know about issues at LBJ High School. They also talk about how district's hiring of a new General Counsel and who the new hire is, and their reaction to the district's plan for a bond election in fall of 2022. Here are links to the stories we ment...

Cuitlahuac and Candace sit down with Austin ISD's Executive Director of Enrollment and Advocacy, Alejandro Delgado. Listen as they walk through his background, philosophy, and career that led him to the largest public school district in central Texas, finding intersections while they discuss the challenges, and future of enrollment in the district.

Candace and Cuitlahuac break down the special board meeting called to present the district's plan for use of federal funds, share how they feel about the virtual option, mask mandates, and more, and reflect on the work they've done in the past two episodes. This hot take was recorded on Wednesday July 28. 

Founder of Taju Learning , Alexandra Guilamo co-hosts this episode and gives her perspective on a range of topics including bilingual education, equitable funding of schools, the effect federal policy has on a local level, and how best for parents and community members can impact their children's education.

Ellison and Bavu Blakes, authors of the book El's Mirror, co-host this special episode of AISDXP.  They share the real-life events and their creative process behind writing their book, the meaning of Lion History, and what Netflix and Blockbuster have to do with the future of education. Buy the book El's Mirror by clicking here !

Candace & Cuitlahuac discuss an ongoing issue at Martin Middle School, the district's response to the Great Texas Snow Storm, and the ever growing number of Central Office resignations.  Austin Chronicle article regarding special education in Austin ISD

Candace and Cuitlahuac take a look at the infection rates for kids in Travis County schools, breakdown snap decisions made by leadership, reflect on the board officer elections, and share a service opportunity which you can learn more about by visiting www.sparkchangeproject.org

Candace and Cuitlahuac get the download on upcoming board officer elections and why they're important from Paul Saldaña, former Austin ISD trustee, businessman, advocate, and philanthropist. Listen to find out our choice for AISD Board President, Vice President, and Secretary. 

Candace and Cuitlahuac catch up on the latest education news as communities try to stay alive and educated during a global pandemic. In this episode: AISD family survey, state testing, Social Media "civil" war, teacher accommodations, and more.

The Texas State Board of Education is revising the Science and Health/Sexual Education standards. The SBOE is engaged in erasure of climate change and refusal to include any acknowledgement of LGBTQIA+ community. Science and Sex Ed teacher Geoff Carlisle explains how people can let their voices be heard in this curriculum update and why inclusive standards are so important. Candace and Cuitlahuac...

Four Austin ISD teachers speak candidly about their circumstances, the choices they've made, and what they'd like to see moving forward in this time of teaching and learning in a pandemic.

The missed opportunity to reimagine school with a focus towards equity. Texas Education Agency’s ever evolving guidance gives permission to districts to end virtual learning with a 14 day notice. Waxahachie ISD’s assault on public education.