What’s happening at Dobie Middle School in Austin, TX?
At Dobie Middle School, the majority of students are newcomers to the U.S. — refugees, asylum seekers, and new immigrants. Many arrived recently. Many speak little to no English. Some have never attended school before.
Over 20 home languages are spoken on campus.
Some students are living in homeless shelters. Others are caring for younger siblings late into the night while parents work multiple jobs. During COVID, many missed school entirely while acting as caregivers. Many lost family members. These are the children of essential workers — and of parents who now live in fear of deportation.
The numbers tell the story:
- Economically Disadvantaged: 90%
- English Language Learners: 72.1%
- Special Education: 19.9%
(Source: Texas Tribune)
Despite Austin taxpayers pouring significant money into AISD, much of it is recaptured by the state and redistributed elsewhere. Meanwhile, schools like Dobie are left without basic resources — no robust language support, no funding safety net, no PTA able to fill the gaps.
Teachers receive virtually no resources to support students who:
- don’t speak English
- can’t get help at home because parents may be illiterate or never attended school
- arrive mid-year with nothing but a name, ID number, and bus route
Yet teacher pay is still tied to student performance on standardized tests like STAAR — even when students are starting years behind through no fault of their own.
In a city with billionaires, tech giants, and a top-tier university, 544 kids are being left behind.
The students care.
The parents care.
The teachers care.
What’s missing are resources.
If you’re able, please donate. These kids don’t need saving — they need support, stability, and a fair chance to learn.