Students attending a voluntary, school district-led summer learning program Dallas ISD entered school in the fall with stronger mathematics skills than their peers who did not attend the program, according to a new RAND Corporation study. Among the students studied in Dallas, students attending at least 22 days of the summer program or receiving at least 39 hours of reading also entered school in the fall with a meaningful advantage in reading. While this impact cannot be generalized to students across the study, the study did identify key factors linked to reading achievement. The near-term findings did not indicate significant…

Out of an abundance of caution, the Dallas Independent School District is implementing guidelines that will ensure district stakeholders will be screened if they have been in situations that put them at-risk for contracting Ebola. Dallas ISD begins its two-week Winter Break on Dec. 19, and many students, staff members, vendors and other constituents may travel or may have contact with others outside their usual circle during that time. The district must remain vigilant in order to ensure the safety of Dallas ISD students, staff and community members. According to a notice sent to stakeholders Dec. 15, any person who can answer…