News Briefs

The Michael & Susan Dell foundation has launched a pilot program to support three school districts, including Dallas ISD in partnership with Dallas Teacher Residency, to help refine the process to assess what students know and are able to do. The scope of the project will span two years and focus on improving the practices of 20 teachers across four Dallas ISD schools: Ben Milam and Anne Frank elementary schools, Benjamin Franklin Middle School and Moises E. Molina High School. Over the course of the two years, a team made up of Dallas ISD and Dallas Teacher Residency will closely work…

Spruce High School student Angel Silva has read more than 1 million words—which is 12 total books—so far this school year! In celebration of his hard work in his Read 180 reading class taught by Griselda Whitaker, Silva received a Kindle. (Photo from left to right: Christine Elliott, Danielle Petters, Angel Silva, Griselda Whitaker, Tiffany Cameron, Carol Terracina, Tracie Walker-Reed)

Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc. invites high school students and parents to register for its College Prep 102 Workshop, a free event featuring information on financial aid, scholarships and college life. It will be held at One Delta Place, 2525 MLK Jr. Blvd., Dallas, 75215 from 1 to 4 p.m., Sat., Feb. 10. Pre-registration is required by Tuesday, Feb. 6, at Eventbrite.com. For more information, go here to download a flyer, or contact sheahickmon@yahoo.com. The State Fair of Texas and other area organizations are sponsoring NXT Fest, a student conference featuring a job fair, free financial aid and scholarship workshops, college…

The joy of reading and the rich heritage expressed in African-American literature will take center stage at a trio of African-American Read-Ins planned in February. Families and educators can choose to attend one or all three events. Each will celebrate Black History Month with book giveaways, speakers, music, refreshments, and prizes for all ages. Saturday, Feb. 10, Golden Gate Baptist Church and District 5 Trustee Lew Blackburn will present STEAM UP with Reading at the Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center. Speakers and performances will focus on the importance of strong reading skills to prepare students to enter careers in science, technology, engineering, arts,…