State rating shows jump in student achievement all across DISD, but especially in District 1

*Sponsored Post*

Let’s talk student achievement for just a few minutes. Based on the most recent Texas Education Agency (TEA) accountability ratings, 210 schools (91 percent) in Dallas ISD met state standards. That’s up from 190 schools in 2015 and 184 schools in 2014.

TEA measures four indices—student achievement, student progress, closing the achievement gap and postsecondary readiness, and based on student scores, Dallas ISD outperformed the thresholds set by the state.

Additionally, 17 district schools received the maximum number of distinctions for their grade levels. Two of those schools are in District 1—F.P. Caillet and Arthur Kramer elementary schools. Henry Withers and Walnut Hill elementary schools and Dealey Montessori were not far behind earning all but one of the possible distinctions.

So what does this mean? For starters, student achievement is alive and well in Dallas ISD. It also tells us that there is still much work to be done, but we are moving in the right direction, and further emphasizes the need to duplicate these successes in every part of the district, so that every students can experience achievement.

There are a number of ways this can happen: effective instruction that connects with students, early learning programs that capitalize on those early years so students are prepared to succeed when they start school, extra and co-curricular activities to engage the entire student, and college and career readiness programs that ensure students are prepared for the rigors of higher education or are ready for a high wage career after high school.

These are the key priorities Dallas ISD has focused on in the past few years, and we continue to tweak and improve initiatives that support the work being accomplished in these areas.

The success of these efforts will take all of us collaborating to bring innovative, relevant opportunities to students across the district. Schools can use mentors, tutors, and volunteers as well as businesses and organizations that will adopt schools and walk beside them to move toward improved student achievement. Contact the neighborhood school in your area, and extend your support. You can be the difference maker to ramp up the good work taking place in our schools. If our schools are stronger, our communities are stronger. And if both of these come together, we are all stronger.

Other news in District 1:

Congratulations to W.T. White student Brady Allen who is one of six district students named as semifinalists for the prestigious National Merit Scholarship program. To be nominated is an honor, and we wish all of them well.

Congratulations to the International Academy and Montessori Vanguard at George Bannerman Dealey for being named 2016 National Blue Ribbon schools.

Participate in the Soles 4 Souls efforts at W.T. White and help them collect 3,000 pairs of new or gently worn shoes to donate to those without. Donation boxes are available at schools in the W.T. White feeder.

Nathan Adams Elementary has a number of great events taking place in the next few weeks:

Fall Carnival, Oct. 28, at 5 p.m.
Parent University workshop on Nov. 8, from 8:30-10 a.m.
Community Story Time for Preschool Children, Nov. 7 and Dec. 5, at 10 a.m.

DeGolyer Elementary will celebrate fall with its Fall Fling, Oct. 28 at 6:30 p.m. The entire family is invited to come out and dance the night away.

Jerry Junkins Elementary will host STEM Spooktacular Night, Oct. 27 at 5:30 p.m. It will be an evening of science with a Halloween twist.