Inside Dallas ISD

The Dallas ISD Bilingual ESL department offers model classroom setups to Bilingual and ESL teachers to support effective implementation of the dual-language program. This year, the Bilingual ESL department has assisted more than 25 teachers in creating a conducive learning environment that facilitates teaching for biliteracy. “Working in the model classroom setup project is a team effort,” said Carlos Silva, team lead of the Bilingual ESL Cadre, an extension of the Bilingual ESL department. “Every member shares their expertise with new teachers or teachers that need help implementing the dual-language components in their classroom. It is a great experience to leave the…

STAAR is the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, which are tests designed to measure how well students have mastered the knowledge and skills for each grade level. Dallas ISD offers a variety of resources to inform parents about the upcoming tests. The recent STAAR Live Forum, hosted by the district’s Office of Family and Community Engagement, featured detailed  answers to these and other questions: What is STAAR? What skills do STAAR tests measure? Which students are required to take the tests? How can a parent determine how a child performed on STAAR? Parents and staff from across the…

The other can be almost anyone: that person who looks different or talks differently, or wears a headscarf, or isn’t popular. Any of these can be reasons to be isolated and teased especially in middle school. On Friday, Feb. 12, middle school students across the district were encouraged to look beyond surface differences and embrace those they might consider different. It was No One Eats Alone Day, and at Ann Richards Middle School, students took action to make sure everyone was welcomed to the table at lunch.

The fifth grade was a memorable year for Estephanie Rodriguez. She had just moved to Dallas from Mexico and started school, not understanding a single word of English. It would have been very easy to feel out of place and discouraged, but her teacher seemed determined to give Estephanie a vibrant learning experience. “I still remember my fifth-grade teacher; she inspired me so much,” Estephanie said, remembering how so many lessons felt more like games, activities and songs with new words but familiar tunes. “She didn’t speak Spanish to us, but the way she taught me, I never felt different…