Author: The Hub

Dallas ISD high school students showed marked improvement on the 2014-15 English I end-of-course (EOC) exam. The percentage of students passing the English I exam on their first attempt gained 3 percentage points up to 59 percent, up from 56 percentage points in 2013-14. The increase was even more pronounced for the District’s African American students, who narrowed the achievement gap in English by improving 8% points (from 48% to 56%). “The English I results are encouraging because this is just one more data point showing the growth of our students,” said Deputy Superintendent Ann Smisko. “The challenge is to…

Graduation season is happening May 29–June 7, and in honor of Dallas ISD graduates, The Hub is spotlighting a different senior each day as the Class of 2015 takes their anticipated walk across the stage. Today we spotlight Evelyn Romero at Hillcrest High School. Awards/honors, involvement: 2015 editor-in-chief for the Hillcrest Hurricane, AP Scholar with distinction, Hillcrest’s Golden Panther recipient, Quest Scholar with a full academic scholarship, Valedictorian The biggest lesson I’ve learned in school: I have learned to always do my best and dedicate my time to my education since it is such a valuable, unique thing many around the world lack. The…

When you’re the first in your family to aspire to college, it can seem that there a million things you need to know that you have no idea about. That’s why the Boys & Girls Clubs of Dallas created a college prep program to mentor and guide juniors and seniors to help them navigate the college admissions process. STEPS is short for Striving Toward Excellence Preparing for Success, a yearlong program in which staff and volunteers meet with participating students twice a month to encourage them to excel in school and plan for college. Specifically, STEPS provides one-on-one support with…

Eight students from the School of Science and Engineering Magnet (SEM) at the Yvonne A. Ewell Townview came up big at the University Interscholastic League Academic Meet held May 28. The students earned their school its first State Academic Championship in the UIL Calculator Applications competition. A SEM student also won first place in the state mathematics UIL competition for the third year in a row. With all speech and academic events completed, SEM is currently in fourth place in the overall state academic sweepstakes standings. SEM teacher Josh Newton, the 2013 Dallas ISD Teacher of the Year who has served as…

This afternoon, Dallas ISD terminated the employment of Jessie Lovelace, recently hired director of transportation services, as a result of information that has come to light since his hiring last month. “I take responsibility for the recent employment decision made for the director of transportation services,” said Wanda Paul, chief of operations. “We will learn from this incident, and work with Human Capital Management to strengthen our department’s hiring processes. We don’t want these types of incidents to distract from the work of the district.” Superintendent Mike Miles has asked Chief of Human Capital Management Karry Chapman to work with…

Quinn Mason, a senior at North Dallas High School, plays seven musical instruments, composes intricate musical arrangements, and received a national award from the American Composers Forum this year. Mason is also diagnosed as autistic. CBS DFW did a great profile on Mason, who many consider a musical genius. Click here to view the report.

Graduation season is happening May 29–June 7, and in honor of Dallas ISD graduates, The Hub is spotlighting a different senior each day as the Class of 2015 takes their anticipated walk across the stage. Today we spotlight Talmadge (TJ) Vaughns Jr. at W.W. Samuell High School. Awards/honors, involvement: Deloitte scholarship recipient ($20,000), Plus Fellows (UNT-Dallas scholarship/Ambassadors program), ranked third in senior class, works full time (40 hours each week), featured as CW 33 Class Act, Founder/CEO of the nonprofit GEELYFE (Greatness evolves eternally, let your freedoms explore) The biggest lesson I’ve learned in school: I’ve learned that hard work always pays off at the…

During a traditional school career day, a speaker will address students about their role in the business world. However, a recent Career Day Expo sponsored by Axxess Healthcare Technology took the experience up a notch for some Kennedy-Curry Middle School seventh-grade honor students. The students traveled to the Westin Galleria for the expo to meet and talk with Axxess employees to learn firsthand what it takes to operate a business that supplies technology resources to a national market of home healthcare providers. The experience included hands-on demonstrations, guided discussions and personal interactions to familiarize students with careers in software engineering, marketing,…

Dallas ISD tiene el mayor número de escuelas de alto rendimiento y donde la población estudiantil es de bajos ingresos que cualquier otro distrito escolar urbano en Texas, según un nuevo estudio citado en una conferencia de prensa el jueves. Además, un estudio realizado por Children at Risk, una organización no lucrativa con sede en Texas, muestra que las escuelas con alto rendimiento y donde la población estudiantil es de bajos ingresos del Distrito Escolar Independiente de Dallas están mejorando año en año. El presidente y jefe ejecutivo de Children at Risk, Dr. Robert Sanborn, dijo que la mejoría de…

As the 2015-2016 budget development process continues, the Dallas Independent School District invites community members to a set of public hearings to help them better understand the budget process. Upcoming meetings are as follows, each from 6 to 7 p.m.: Tuesday, June 2, 2015 – 6–7 p.m. Eduardo Mata Elementary School 7420 La Vista Drive Dallas, TX 75214 Wednesday, June 3, 2015 – 6–7 p.m. Raúl Quintanilla Sr. Middle School 2700 Remond Drive Dallas, TX 75211 Thursday, June 4, 2015 – 6–7 p.m. Wilmer-Hutchins High School 5520 Langdon Road Dallas, TX 75241 For more information, visit www.dallasisd.org.