Dallas ISD trustees on Thursday approved a 2017–2018 balanced district budget that includes a performance-based increase to base salary for teachers under the Teacher Excellence Initiative. In previous years under the Teacher Excellence Initiative—Dallas ISD’s teacher evaluation system that seeks to define, support and reward teacher excellence—teachers had to increase effectiveness levels to receive salary increases. Dallas ISD officials said they were pleased to announce this performance-based increase that will reward the district’s strong teachers and recognize their contributions to students’ positive outcomes. On a recent survey administered in Spring 2017, an overwhelming majority of surveyed teachers said they believed…

A one-stop shop to prepare children and their families for the school year, the 21st Mayor’s Back to School Fair, presented by Walmart, will take place on Friday, Aug. 4, from 8 a.m.-2 p.m., at the Centennial Building at Fair Park. “We want to make sure that kids are well-prepared for their first day of school,” said Dallas Mayor Mike Rawlings. “Getting ready for school – buying supplies, getting immunizations and haircuts and seeing the dentist – can be overwhelming and expensive for families. We hope that the Fair can ease some of that burden, plus put kids on the…

Now that “Pomp and Circumstance” has faded from memory and the graduation balloons are deflated, it’s time to prepare for life after high school. Taking the next step to enter college can be daunting — but it doesn’t have to be.  That’s because experts in financial aid, enrollment and career counseling will gather this month to help high school graduates with their enrollment needs. Dallas County Community College District’s annual EduCareer Expo takes place Thurs., June 22 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.  at North Dallas High School, 3120 N. Haskell Ave. in Dallas. The event is open to all…