Austin Centers for Exceptional Students reviews

This school is currently working through a corrective action plan with the State of Colorado’s Department of Facility Schools. This is a serious situation and there has been a concerning lack of transparency with staff, including teachers and paraprofessionals, about what is driving the corrective action and what changes are being required. A major concern is that there does not appear to be a clear, consistent commitment to addressing student behavior needs through properly trained staff and evidence-based, humane behavior support practices. Several staff have raised concerns about whether current behavior support leadership has sufficient training in modern, ethical behavior intervention and de-escalation strategies. There are also ongoing questions from staff about whether behavior support practices being modeled and trained are consistently aligned with best practices and ethical standards. Some staff feel there is inconsistency between what is expected in practice and what is demonstrated by those in leadership or training roles, which creates confusion in implementation across the building. Additionally, there is concern that training and behavior support planning is not comprehensive or consistently applied. Instead, staff report that responses to student behavior can feel inconsistent or determined on a day-to-day basis rather than through a coordinated, structured system with clear expectations and supports. As the school moves through corrective action, there is a strong concern that the seriousness of this process is not being fully reflected in day-to-day operations or in how staff are being supported through training and guidance. Finally, staff compensation, benefits, and PTO are also being raised as concerns, particularly in relation to retention and the ability to attract and maintain highly qualified staff in a setting that requires specialized behavioral expertise. Overall, there is a clear need for stronger, more transparent leadership, improved training systems, and a consistent commitment to ethical, research-based behavior support practices that meet the higher standards expected in Colorado schools.

Lack of transparency from the administration, particularly around serious incidents and decision-making Toxic workplace culture, including frequent gossip and a lack of professionalism among staff Limited support and resources, often operating below recommended staffing levels Leadership can feel disconnected from day-to-day classroom realities Concerns are not always addressed in a timely or meaningful way Low staff morale and high levels of burnout