W.T. White High School. Photo courtesy of Google Maps.

As we start to get some of the results from last year’s STAAR exams, students and teachers can feel proud that more students are on grade level. Based on these results, Dallas ISD students are not only closing the academic achievement gap, but are also exceeding pre-pandemic STAAR performances in the “Meets Grade Level” category in reading.

Dallas ISD students are also narrowing the gap with the state in many areas. In the STAAR tests, our students showed better comparative growth rates in “Approaches” and “Meets” performance levels in nearly all grades and subjects.

Marcus Leadership Academy unveils new book-vending machine

Earlier this month,  Marcus Leadership Academy unveiled a new book-vending machine to celebrate the remarkable reading improvements achieved by students in the Catch Up & Read program. Sponsored by the NEC Foundation in collaboration with the Dallas Education Foundation, this after-school program helped boost reading achievement in 93% of students at 18 Dallas ISD schools last year.

Earning grants for innovation

Congratulations to the two District 1 team members who received Junior League of Dallas Grants for Innovative Teaching: Virginia Ross, from W.T. White High School and Emma Grace, from Harry C. Withers Elementary School.

Trustee Edwin Flores, District 1

The grants of up to $2,500 are awarded to support unique programs that fall outside of school budgets to help improve education in Dallas ISD. These innovative teaching projects span all grade levels and subjects and will contribute to student success.

Caring for our students

I want to recognize the team members from Anne Frank Elementary School and Dallas ISD’s Family and Community Engagement department for stepping in and providing life-saving services to one of their students. Last year, when young Mathias M. arrived at Dallas ISD from Venezuela, it was discovered that he had brain cancer. They quickly mobilized to get him the assistance and resources he and his family needed to get treatment. Now Mathias’s cancer is in remission and he is getting to experience spending time with his friends and teachers on a full-time basis.