Inside Dallas ISD

On his eleventh birthday, IDEA senior Rafael Martinez was diagnosed with an eye disorder that causes vision loss. The condition, which is called Stargardt, today severely impacts his central vision, while his peripheral vision is stronger. Despite the obstacle, Martinez has thrived in school and this year served as drum major for the band at Wilmer-Hutchins High School. Next year, Martinez will attend Prairie View A&M University and be a future member of the legendary Marching Storm. “I have an eye condition, but honestly, it has never been something that has stopped me from moving forward,” Martinez told fellow student…

The 2019-2020 school year is officially coming to a close, but in Dallas ISD, learning is a year round practice. This school year has challenged the Special Education Department, families, and students to think differently and look for improved systems for learning.  From working with new leadership in the department to shifting to At-Home Learning (AHL) and teletherapy; from discussing the installation of cameras in all special education classrooms, to working with parents on virtual Parent Academies. To help keep this momentum going over the summer,  families of students with disabilities are encouraged to stay connected by checking their emails…

Focused. Tenacious. Goal-oriented. These are just a few of the words teachers and staff members at L.G. Pinkston High School use to describe Michael Denicola. Throughout childhood, the six-foot-nine-inch “gentle giant” imagined himself as a successful football player, and he was well on his way to achieving that goal — until his sophomore year. That’s when Michael opted to hang up his football cleats to focus on academics and pursue a career in information technology and cybersecurity. This spring, Michael will graduate from Pinkston as part of the P-TECH program, a partnership between Dallas ISD and area community colleges. As…