Department of Educational Leadership & Policies Studies (DELPS) professor Augustina Reyes has been on the College of Education (COE) faculty for more than seventeen years, and in that time, she has truly been dedicated in using her scholarly knowledge to make an impact in the lives of students.

Reyes has been researching the issues of discipline and achievement in relation to race and truancy. In regards to discipline and achievement, Reyes is taking a closer look at the effect of Zero Tolerance policies and the need for thoughtful and rigorous discipline alternatives. “Texas achievement data show that working poor and low income children have the lowest achievement levels in math, science, and reading,” said Reyes. “This is nothing new and each administration since the War on Poverty has focused on improving the academic ability of working poor and low income students. Each administration must be given recognition for their contributions to improving the condition of working poor and low-income children. While much has improved . . .  there is much more to be done.”

Reyes’ research on truancy has found that this national issue has deep ramifications in communities. It can impact families, school personnel, social service organizations, human and public health organizations, and public agencies. Reyes is investigating methods to prevent these issues from taking hold. “Responses to truancy are as simple as a school principal identifying chronic absentees to target for monitoring the first week of school,” said Reyes. “[Schools should] develop semester warning signs as early intervention of students at risk of chronic absenteeism and monitor targeted students’ progress and provide intervention services. [Schools should also] mobilize community partners, agencies, and mentors by providing them with the second list of students at risk of chronic absenteeism.”

Reyes serves in the Administration and Supervision program area, where she teaches graduate courses to prepare educational leaders.  She has published and presented widely in her field, as well as serving the community. She served on the Human Services Recovery Committee of the National Commission for Children from 2009-2010.  Her research focuses on urban educational leadership in environments with diverse populations, including urban school finance; urban school leadership preparation; urban school behavioral policies, language issues, and race issues; examining the roles and responsibilities of principals in high-poverty and one-race schools; turnaround schools; disaster and public school policy; and Latino immigrant children and public policy.