Webster’s dictionary defines distinguished as notable, as renowned, famous, celebrated, prominent, or eminent. Under Dallas ISD’s ground-breaking Teacher Excellence Initiative (TEI), being distinguished requires exceptional teaching skill and expertise that makes a powerful impact on student learning. According to Lindsay Coshatt, who spearheads TEI, the Distinguished Teacher Review (DTR) is the district’s process of identifying the top 20 percent of highly effective teachers who excel not just in the classroom but as campus leaders; they are teachers who demonstrate a commitment to lifelong learning, pursue and share information with colleagues and contribute to the profession. Specifically, TEI defines a distinguished teacher…

The groundwork for Dallas ISD’s innovative Teacher Excellence Initiative comes from the understanding that the one-dimensional nature of traditional evaluations fails to acknowledge the hard work, long hours and personal commitment required of an effective teacher. The Texas Education Agency’s recent mandate to replace the Professional Development and Appraisal System (PDAS) reinforces the inability of conventional evaluations to reflect the actual effect teachers have on their students. In 2009, a project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation began in more than 3,000 classrooms across the U.S., including some in Dallas ISD. The MET (Measures of Effective Teaching) Project…

Under the Teacher Excellence Initiative, teachers have a significantly higher earning potential than they do under a traditional salary step schedule. In fact, effective teachers who advance at an average progression under TEI have the potential to make a total of $100,000 more over 15 years than they could under Dallas ISD’s traditional step salary schedule. Under strategic compensation, a Dallas ISD teacher’s earning potential is very competitive compared to other Texas school districts. Using the same example above, here is the earning potential for an effective teacher with 15 years of service and a Proficient III Effectiveness Level I…

The Dallas Independent School District announced today that the management structure of the School Leadership Department has been realigned to create more efficient and streamlined processes and improve communication. The new configuration eliminates the structure that divided the district into five divisions. This change transitions the responsibilities of five assistant superintendents to two deputy chiefs who will work together to support the district’s 22 feeder pattern executive directors. One deputy chief position is already filled by Stephanie Elizalde. Israel Cordero, former assistant superintendent for Division 5, has been selected to serve in the second deputy chief position. “We want to ensure that…