Through its PREP U Weekday workshops, Dallas ISD will offer families a series of workshops to learn more about the upcoming administration of the State Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR. In the interactive workshops, families will be able to view sample questions in reading, math, and writing, as well as learn about the passing standards. District experts will be there to answer questions on how the STAAR impacts high school graduation requirements and other topics. By attending the workshops, parents will have access to resources to take home. The workshops are in English with Spanish interpretation and include refreshments…

Dallas ISD has identified the high-performing principals who will lead the district’s six new ACE schools next school year. The district launched the ACE program, which stands for Accelerating Campus Excellence, last school year at seven historically low-performing schools. The program helps boost student achievement by staffing the highest-need schools with high-performing principals and teachers. After just one year, six of those schools met state standards this year, and all seven campuses have shown significant improvement in student achievement. The district is looking to build on that success by bringing the additional six schools into the ACE program next school…

District trustees voted at their February board meeting to approve the 23 Phase 2 construction projects and architects recommended by the superintendent and bond program administrators. The Phase 2 project list includes schools located in every trustee district with construction costs estimated at a total $275 million. Strongly encouraging bond program staff to continue pursuing savings on architectural fees, trustees voted 7-2 to approve the recommended list of primary project architects. Operations Chief Scott Layne and Construction Services Executive Director Tim Strucely noted that some projects would involve partnerships with minority subcontractors, but clarified that none are joint ventures. Concerned about…

The 2017-2018 student calendar approved by trustees Thursday features summer professional development for teachers in August with the first day of classes set for Monday, Aug. 28. Each school day will have an additional 10 minutes during breakfast in the classroom. With the expanded day, the district will reach the state-mandated total minutes of instruction by June 1, the last day of classes. Other features: 171 days of instruction for students starting Monday, Aug. 28 10 teacher professional development/planning days, five preparation/work days and one day’s credit for teachers who attend both parent conference nights Two fair days for all students; elementary…