Data released today by the Texas Education Agency shows that 210 (91 percent) of Dallas Independent School District campuses met state standards, up from 190 schools in 2015 and 184 schools in 2014.
In all four categories calculated by the TEA—student achievement, student progress, closing performance gaps and postsecondary readiness—Dallas ISD outperformed thresholds set by the state. The district’s official rating for 2016 from TEA is “Met Standard.
Dallas ISD Superintendent Michael Hinojosa said the accountability results are more evidence that the district is headed in the right direction.
“Our teachers, principals, and staff can take pride in the work they are doing to improve student academic performance. This is a positive sign of significant improvement toward our district mission of preparing all students for success,” Hinojosa said. “It’s a great step forward, but as we face this new school year, I’m challenging myself and all 20,000 staff members to redouble our efforts to ensure that schools meet or exceed state standards.”
The TEA data shows that 24 schools rated as “improvement required (IR)” in 2015 met state standards this year. Six of Dallas ISD’s seven Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) campuses moved off the IR list.
Jolee Healey, executive director of ACE schools, said the TEA report shows the remarkable turnaround that has happened at the ACE campuses. The ACE initiative provides underperforming schools with strong leaders and teams of highly effective teachers.
“Our year one results reflect the great potential in our students and the power of effective teaching,” Healey said. “Although we have much further to go, we know we are heading in the right direction.”
