TEA threatens to shut down Pearce Middle School

AUSTIN, Texas (KXAN) - A local middle school has unacceptable ratings because not enough children pass the TAKS test, and the state is saying it might be time to shut it down.                     

The Texas Education Agency threatened to close Pearce Middle School in 2007, and now the threat is back. The agency has the right to close any Texas public school if students cannot pass the TAKS test, and Pearce is classified as academically unacceptable.

Despite the rating, parents said closing the school is not the solution, and the law specifically targets low-income areas.         

The fight to keep Pearce open comes during a time when Johnston High School awaits to hear whether the TEA will close its campus. The decision is expected in June, but 41 percent of Johnston's teachers have already requested transfers to other schools.

Parents at Pearce, however, hope their work will prevent the school from shutting down and forcing neighborhood sixth, seventh and eighth graders to be bused elsewhere.

"We have to understand that it's not the building that's causing the problem," said Pearce PTA President Charlotte Dotson. "So closing the school is not the answer or shuffling kids around to another atmosphere they're not familiar with out of their community. They'll just have to start over. The best thing to do is keep the building open and find out the problem and handle it there."

Besides a parent meeting Friday, Austin Independent School District officials will hold a meeting at Pearce Tuesday at 6 p.m. to talk about the future of the campus.

The superintendent, a school board member, and other AISD representatives will be present to listen to the community's concerns.