The Texas Education Agency announced that 68 percent of Dallas ISD campuses have earned at least one academic distinction designation, up from 60 percent of schools in 2015.
For reference, 57.6 percent of Dallas ISD campuses in 2014 and 55.2 percent of campuses in 2013 earned at least one distinction.
Overall, 17 Dallas ISD campuses in 2016 earned the maximum possible number of distinctions for their group.
“We are encouraged that more of our schools are earning academic distinctions, and all of our teachers, principals and staff should take pride in work they are doing every day,” Dallas ISD Chief of School Leadership Stephanie Elizalde said. “However, we still have much work to do to build upon this success.”
Distinction designations are awarded to campuses based on high achievement in areas such as reading and math. The designations are awarded to a campus based on how it performed compared to other schools with a similar size and demographics. Up to seven distinction designations can be earned for:
- Academic Achievement in English Language Arts/Reading;
- Academic Achievement in Mathematics;
- Academic Achievement in Science;
- Academic Achievement in Social Studies;
- Top 25 Percent: Student Progress;
- Top 25 Percent: Closing Performance Gaps; and
- Postsecondary Readiness.
“Earning one or more campus distinctions is noteworthy and should be a source of pride in a community,” Texas Commissioner of Education Mike Morath said. “Earning all possible distinctions is a significant accomplishment and should signal to parents that there is extraordinary work taking place on that campus.”
In August, data released by TEA showed 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.
