Updated 5/20: The deadline for teachers to apply for an innovative teaching grant from the Junior League of Dallas has been extended to May 26 at 5 p.m. Click here for the application and additional resources. Original story: What teacher doesn’t wish for just a little more money to do something extra for students? The extras can include a field lesson to a museum, purchasing supplies for a hands-on experiment, or investing in technology such as iPads or Chromebooks to expand students’ bandwidth for research. Money for extras encourages teachers to think creatively about ways to make learning fresh and exciting for their…

Imagine a classroom where students work in teams and consistently interact with technology. In this classroom, education is structured to support a “one-size-fits-one” approach to learning that taps into students’ individual strengths and interests, allowing teachers to customize lessons and no longer simply teach to the middle. Personalized Learning is Dallas ISD’s approach to individualized instruction, designed to meet students where they are and determine how to provide them with the best chance for success. Opening in the Fall of 2015, the Innovation, Design and Entrepreneurship Academy at James W. Fannin will be the district’s first high school to operate exclusively as a Personalized Learning campus. “The…

Results from a recent districtwide survey show a notable increase in the percentage of campus-based employees who believe Dallas ISD is headed in the right direction. On the Spring 2015 Campus Climate Survey, the percentage of school staff believing that the district is moving in the right direction is now at more than a 2-1 margin. The response marks a 6.5 percentage point increase from the response to the same question in Fall 2013. Meanwhile, the Spring 2015 survey showed that 56.3 percent of staff said morale at their school has improved their year, an 6.3 percentage point increase from…

The Dallas ISD Board of Trustees discussed a plan on Thursday that could consolidate approximately 400 district employees currently spread across eight locations, some of which are in dilapidated conditions, into one building. The board is expected to vote on the proposal on May 28. Dallas ISD Chief Financial Officer Jim Terry said that consolidating employees from the Human Capital Management and Information and Technology Services departments into one building at 9400 N. Central Expressway would bring multiple benefits to the district. “Having these employees in one place will boost their communication and production as they work to help our…