Author: The Hub

Dallas ISD fifth- and eighth-grade students achieved significant gains on the first administration of the STAAR mathematics test. The results follow new measurement standards set by the Texas Education Agency. The new performance levels are noted as Approaches Grade Level (formerly Level 2), Meets Grade Level (formerly Level 2 final), Masters Grade Level (formerly Level 3), and Does Not Meet Grade Level. Overall, the passing rates in fifth- and eighth-grade math each increased by 6.3 and 11.8 percentage points, up 2.3 and 0.5 percent, respectively. Of particular note, African-American eighth-graders achieved a 15.7 percent increase in math performance over the previous year,…

Last week, students, staff and parents at Benjamin Franklin Middle School celebrated diversity at the school’s second annual International Festival. Besides food and fun activities, the festival combined with the Cervantes Festival to celebrate the work of late Spanish author Miguel de Cervantes, best known for his novel, Don Quixote. The Cervantes Literacy Project, funded by a Junior League of Dallas Innovative Teaching Grant, created a space in the school’s courtyard with quotes and elements from Cervantes’ writings. The project included reading, research and drama presentations as well. Proceeds from the festival, which was Friday, April 21, will benefit the school’s departments,…

Dallas ISD was one of only four school districts nationwide selected this year to be provided free public school “peer-to-peer” concerts and workshops by the Thelonious Monk Institute of Jazz. With lead funding from Toyota, United Airlines and the National Endowment for the Arts, the Institute will present this unique education program in four Dallas public schools May 9-12. Combining performance with educational information, these “informances” will be presented by six of the country’s most gifted high school music students along with internationally acclaimed jazz trombonist and NEA Jazz Master Delfeayo Marsalis, vocal sensation and former winner of the Thelonious Monk…

It’s a Monday afternoon at Lincoln High School, and students keep popping in to say hi to Sheila Walker, the school’s community liaison. One student wants to show Walker his new cell phone; another student needs a tissue for his nose; a third students wants to talk about the previous weekend’s prom, which Walker helped set up for and ensure several students had dresses for the big night. Hearing from and helping students is par for the course for Walker, who was recently named the Texas State Teacher Association’s Education Support Professional (ESP) of the Year. The award recognizes a…

Ha comenzado la votación temprana, que será del lunes, 24 de abril, al martes, 2 de mayo, para los puestos de la Junta Escolar de Dallas ISD. La elección final será el 6 de mayo. Los votantes de los distritos 2 y 6 tendrán la oportunidad de votar por sus representantes en la Junta Escolar. Las personas que estén inscritas para votar en el condado de Dallas podrán ejercer su derecho al voto en cualquier sitio designado para votación anticipada hasta el 2 de mayo. Para más información sobre las fechas y los lugares donde puede votar, haga clic aquí.…

National Kindergarten Day was Friday, April 21, and it was a chance to celebrate how Dallas ISD kindergarten prepares students for lifelong success. Kindergarten classrooms across the district celebrated by wearing Class of 2029 stickers. Dallas ISD kindergarten is full day, and there are still bilingual options. Dallas ISD kindergarten builds on what students love about pre-K—center-based learning, plenty of time to have fun and play with their peers—while the skills and academic content gets more rigorous. “Even though kindergarten is voluntary, it’s critically important because it gives students the building blocks they need to succeed in life,” said Derek Little, assistant…

Early voting in the Dallas ISD Board of Trustees elections began Monday, April 24, and runs through Tuesday, May 2. Election day is May 6 election. Voters in Dallas ISD trustee districts 2 and 6 will have the opportunity to cast ballots for their representatives on the board. Dallas County registered voters may vote at any early voting location before May 2. Find information on when and where to vote early here. District 2 Incumbent Dustin Marshall faces challengers Richard D. Young and Lori Kirkpatrick. Marshall was elected to the board in June 2016 to complete the unexpired term of Mike…

Dallas ISD and the Dallas County Community College District (DCCCD) are set to operate 23 Early College High Schools (ECHS) in the 2017–2018 school year. This will make Dallas ISD and the DCCCD a statewide leader in providing an opportunity for students to earn up to 60 hours of college credit or an associate degree—at no cost to them— while earning a high school diploma. The Texas Education Agency last week announced the ECHS designations. The TEA only grants the ECHS designations to schools that are on track to meet six rigorous benchmarks and operate best practices. Additionally, Dallas ISD…

Individuals, organizations and businesses that volunteer and partner with Dallas ISD prove that there is strength in numbers. This year, the numbers are strong indeed. So far this year, 29,000 volunteers have served the district, amassing more than 300,000 service hours equal to a value of $7 million. Likewise on the partners side, the district has logged more than 2,500 documented contributions valued at a total of $10.1 million. On Thursday, April 20, volunteers and partners who have made a positive impact for students were recognized at a special ceremony. The very best, listed below, were given awards in their…

Spend the next 136 seconds catching up on many of the great things that happened across the district this week! Watch this video, or read below, to learn more. Superintendent scholars Sixty-two Dallas ISD seniors were named Superintendent Scholarship recipients on Tuesday. Each honoree received $2,500 to go toward costs at the college or university of their choice. (Learn more) Parade for Madison Boys basketball team The Madison High School boys basketball team enjoyed a community parade to celebrate their winning of the 3A State championship. (See photos) Spring Plant Sale Multiple Careers Magnet hosted its annual Spring Plant Sale this week that benefits the…