Inside Dallas ISD

Although he competed against the best football talent in the world as he became a five-time Super Bowl champion, NFL legend Charles Haley says his biggest challenge was getting his college degree. Haley entered college reading two grade levels behind and struggled to catch up. Now as a retired Hall of Fame player, he is dedicating his life to building a team and working collaboratively to ensure that students at seven Dallas ISD schools don’t fall so far behind. “We need everyone to understand that the biggest social justice movement is to educate kids,”  Haley said. “If you educate kids,…

Over the course of its 59-year history, Roosevelt High School has built a legacy of academic excellence and engagement with the neighborhood surrounding its campus. It is those strong community relationships and strategic collaboration with its South Oak Cliff neighborhood that is fueling Roosevelt’s resurgence as the “School of Innovation”, with innovative programming like the emergency medical technician (EMT) and firefighter training. “The community wanted to have programs that would retain the students here at Roosevelt,” said LaKisha Thomas, principal of Roosevelt High School of Innovation. “Roosevelt alumni initiated the process, and we collaborate with the overall goal of preparing…

Last week, over 25 teachers from Bismarck, N.D., and surrounding cities visited Felix G. Botello Personalized Learning Elementary, Annie Webb Blanton Elementary, and New Tech High School at B.F. Darrell to see AVID in Action. AVID, which stands for Advancement via Individual Determination, is a global organization dedicated to closing the opportunity gap by preparing all students for college and career opportunities.  As the first and oldest elementary AVID model school site in Dallas ISD, Botello Elementary has a track record of success, receiving five academic distinctions from the Texas Education Agency under the state’s current accountability system. Botello Elementary has been…

The Dallas Education Foundation (DEF) is proud to announce its inaugural Discretionary Grant Cycle. From now through Jan. 14, DEF is accepting Letters of Inquiry from Dallas ISD departments, campuses, and area organizations who are in current collaboration with the district. The DEF grants fund program creates greater opportunities for students and teachers across Dallas ISD. Grant awards are estimated to be between $25,000 and $100,000. Since its relaunch in late 2019, DEF has continued to strengthen its financial and administrative capacity. As a result, DEF has developed a framework for internal district partners and external nonprofit collaborators to present…