Inside Dallas ISD

Seven additional schools will offer the two-way dual language program this school year, providing more opportunities for students to learn to read, write and speak in two languages. In this program, English speakers can learn Spanish and Spanish speakers can learn English. Students grow to become biliterate and bilingual while gaining high academic achievement and cross-cultural competence. Dallas ISD now has 68 schools that offer the two-way dual language program. Over the course of a day in a two-way dual language program, students that speak and students that are learning to speak English are taught together certain subjects (such as…

Dallas ISD early college namesake, Dr. Wright L. Lassiter Jr. passed away Monday, July 8, at his home in Dallas.  Lassiter, 80, was a former president of El Centro College, chancellor of Dallas County Community College, and a longtime area minister and educator. A staunch supporter of higher education for inner city and minority students, Lassiter was instrumental in building early support for the creation of early college high schools in Dallas ISD. One of his lasting legacies is his role in founding Middle College High School at El Centro College in 1988. In recognition of his support, the Dallas…

A team of 23 high school students with special needs earned a standing ovation for winning a sportsmanship award during a district robotics competition. The Dallas ISD Board of Trustees led the applause for Sunset High School’s RoboFlash team, which earned the Gracious Professionalism Award during a robotics competition in March. “I think teams are seeing that our team is one to be reckoned with,” said Pauline Tatum, special education teacher at Sunset High School and the RoboFlash coach. For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) is a national nonprofit that works to spark the youth’s interest in…

The Dallas ISD Board of Trustees approved several school and facility name changes at the June board meeting. The approved name changes are: Eduardo Mata Elementary School is now Eduardo Mata Montessori School Roger Q. Mills School for the Talented and Gifted is now Trinity Heights Gifted and Talented Henry B. Gonzalez Elementary School is now the Henry B. Gonzalez Personalized Learning Academy Rosemont International Language Preparatory Middle School is now Rosemont Upper Rosemont Elementary School is now Rosemont Lower – Chris V. Semos Building The Conference Center at Turney W. Leonard Governance and Training Center is now the Ada…