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UTES is the first university-sponsored charter school in Texas. The school, which is sponsored and operated by UT Austin, uses instructional methods that are research-based and engage in innovative teaching methods that add to the research knowledge base. UTES opened its doors in August 2003 to predominantly low-income students from east Austin and will serves students in pre-kindergarten through the fifth grade.
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The University of Texas System initiated the creation the University of Texas Elementary School in 2002 as a part of its Pre-K through 16 initiative, Every Child Every Advantage, to improve public education and to increase the numbers of students attending college. The University of Texas Elementary School was to help meet these UT System goals in two ways:
- Using educational research from the University, particularly in reading, in an inner-city school setting to demonstrate program success that can be replicated by other schools; and
- Increasing and improving the preparation of future teachers by providing a direct link between elementary school classrooms and university classrooms for research, pre-service training, and student internships.
In August 2003, the University of Texas Elementary School (UTES) opened its doors to 118 east Austin children, launching the first university sponsored charter school under Subchapter E in the state. This open-enrollment public charter school, initiated by The University of Texas System and operated by U. T. Austin, is a research-based demonstration school that applies academic research to classroom practice. The school provides an educational option for east Austin families, a professional development and research site for the University, and a living laboratory for diverse learners in an urban setting.
In its first year (2003-2004), the U. T. Elementary School enrolled children in grade levels Pre-K (four-year-olds), kindergarten, and first grade. One grade level has been added each year with two classes of 20 students in each class. Admission is by lottery, and, as in any public school, enrollment is at no cost. The school serves students at all ability levels with a full, TEKS-aligned curriculum in reading, language arts, math, science, and social studies. Fine arts, music, cultural diversity, health and PE, character education, and a Spanish language program add rich texture to the core curriculum. The use of technology is integrated into daily instruction.
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From its inception, UTES has implemented scientifically based-instruction developed from the work of top UT System researchers. The early childhood program at UTES is utilized by the nationally recognized research of Dr. Susan Landry, (Michael Matthew Knight Professor and Chief, Division of Developmental Pediatrics), at UT Health Science Center Houston. The early childhood program involves a curriculum that introduces children to literacy and numeracy in a playful, purposeful manner and provides teachers with quality professional development as well as diagnostic and progress monitoring assessment tools. UTES received accreditation from the National Association for the Education of Young Children (NAEYC) for its early childhood program.
UTES is a demonstration site for the 3 Tier Model for instruction developed by researchers with the Vaughn Gross Center for Reading and Language Arts (VGCRLA), as such, UTES incorporates this model into their “Response to Intervention” methodology, a strategy traditionally reserved for special education. Dr. Sharon Vaughn, a key researcher in the development of the 3 Tier Model, advised the school in its formation and assisted in training staff to implement the strategy. With this strategy, students are assessed early and frequently through a diagnostic/prescriptive approach that:
- assesses individual student achievement and develops specific plans to meet each student where they are;
- prescribes strategies and interventions to bring them where they need to be; and
- continually monitors and assesses their improvement, making adaptations in their specific education plan as needed to assure continual academic improvement.
Tier I encompasses the regular classroom curriculum and instruction. Most students achieve academic goals with this level of instruction. About 20 to 25-percent of the students, however, will need targeted intervention. Tier II establishes strategies and resources for intervention instruction in small groups during the school day. Tier III provides intensive intervention for a small subset of children.
In addition to the reading program, a 5-E science program is being implemented under the direction of Jim Barufaldi, head of the University of Texas Science Education Center. Dr. Susan Empson, Associate Professor of Curriculum and Instruction, is directing a cognitive guided mathematics program.
U. T. Elementary School offers increased instruction time, with a school day 30 minutes longer than in the surrounding district and an extra week of classes per year. Full-day Pre-K classes are offered for students who qualify, and summer programs are required for students who do not achieve goals. Seventeen highly qualified teachers, many of whom are specialists in bilingual education, special education, and/or gifted education, deliver the instructional program. Ongoing teacher development is a priority, and future teachers have the opportunity to observe best practices and apply their knowledge in a clinical setting under the supervision of master teachers and university faculty.
To ensure students are well-supported and prepared for the academic program, the UT Austin School of Nursing provides interns to administer immunizations, and health screenings. Students from the School of Social Work and College of Communication also serve as interns at the site. The University of Texas at Austin also provides general support services in the areas of accounting, personnel, and building maintenance.
U. T. Elementary School is housed in modular buildings on a one-acre site at the intersection of Robert Martinez Street and East Sixth Street. The school draws students from the area in east Austin bounded by IH-35 on the west, Highway 290 on the north, Highway 183 on the east, and Highway 71 on the south. It serves primarily economically disadvantaged minority students; in 2006-2007, the ethnic breakdown among enrolled students is 78 percent Hispanic, 15 percent African American, and 7 percent White and Other, with over 68 percent economically disadvantaged.
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The 2005 – 2006 school year was the first year the University of Texas Elementary School had students who were in 3rd grade, so this was the first year for participation in TAKS (Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills) testing. For the past two years, 100% of the third grade students have passed the TAKS Reading test. In the 2006-2007 school year, the percentage of third graders who passed the test at the Commended level increased from 13% in the previous year to 52%. The Commended level is closely associated with a college readiness standard for students.
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M= met standard
C= commended |
M |
C |
M |
C |
3rd Grade Reading |
100% |
13% |
100% |
52% |
3rd Grade Math |
76% |
12% |
97% |
41% |
4th Grade Reading |
NA |
NA |
89% |
17% |
4th Grade Math |
NA |
NA |
89% |
14% |
4th Grade Writing |
NA |
NA |
94% |
19% |
5th Grade Reading |
NA |
NA |
NA |
NA |
5th Grade Math |
NA |
NA |
NA |
NA |
5th Grade Science |
NA |
NA |
NA |
NA |
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These results garnered UTES a rating of Recognized for both the 2005 and 2006 school years per the Texas Education Agency AEIS report, marking the accomplishment of their goal for the first two years of accountability as stated in the charter proposal. Noteworthy achievement results for 2006 include a significant increase in the Commended rate in math achievement and exemplary writing performance (94% passing) for the first year of writing testing. UTES was one point away in 4th grade math and reading from receiving an Exemplary rating. Only 4 other schools out of 25 public schools serving east Austin received a Recognized rating. Dr. Ramona Treviño, Principal/CEO, has developed a plan to increase passing rates on the math section in order to achieve an Exemplary rating. She is also dedicated to increasing the percent of students receiving Commended status in reading.
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Visit the UTES Website: http://www.utexas.edu/provost/elementary
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Dr. Ramona Treviño, Principal/CEO
2200 E. 6th Street
Austin, TX 78702-3457
Phone: 512-499-4245
Fax: 512-495-9631
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