As we all take a well-earned break, I wanted to share some great news that each of you helped make happen. We received our STAAR scores, and like Bethany Erickson of D Magazine wrote on Monday, “This week, Dallas ISD found out that it had a lot to celebrate.” In 80% of the tested categories, Dallas ISD showed larger increases than the state The African American, Emergent Bilingual, & Economically Disadvantaged student groups outperformed their state peers in the “all subjects & grades” category, math, and social studies These data, wrote Erickson, are “a lot to be proud and happy…

The AlumNow series showcases former students’ post-graduation successes. We recently caught up with Miguel Cazarez, who is now an attorney. Read about his educational journey at Dallas ISD and how his teachers impacted him to give back to his community. What high school did you graduate from and what year did you graduate? School For The Talented and Gifted Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center in 2010. What is your current occupation? I am a commercial litigation attorney at Witherite Law Group. What made your Dallas ISD education unique? The TAG program at L.V. Stockard Middle School gave me my start…

The AlumNow series showcases former students’ post-graduation successes. We recently caught up with Donnell Armstrong, who is now an assistant principal at W.T. White High School. Read about his educational journey at Dallas ISD and how his teachers impacted him to give back to his community. What high school did you graduate from and what year did you graduate? Franklin D. Roosevelt High School of Innovation in 2009.  What is your current occupation? I am an assistant principal at W.T. White High School. What made your Dallas ISD education unique? It prepared me to successfully navigate through new experiences in…

For Naomi, Stephen, and others, the summer arts intensive offered more than just new techniques, it gave them space to grow as artists among peers who share their creative drive. Dallas ISD’s Visual and Performing Arts Department hosted a first-ever, district-wide summer arts intensive, inviting high school students to immerse themselves in one artistic discipline for a week of hands-on creative exploration. Students chose from jewelry making, sculpture, digital art, printmaking, painting, or drawing, and worked in small groups to develop their craft in a studio-like environment. “They spent a week experimenting with new materials and making their own personal…