News Briefs

Submitted by Michelle Read Six Dallas ISD high school students participated in the 2025 Parrish Scholarship Debate at H. Grady Spruce High School, each earning a $3,000 scholarship. This year’s debate focused on whether books in public schools should be banned. Both sides defended their positions, advocating for protections against harmful content or defending students’ free access to ideas. The event displayed impressive speaking skills and thoughtful arguments. Made possible by the Roland C. Parrish Charitable Foundation and held in association with the Dallas Urban Debate Alliance, the debate has been a fixture in the Dallas ISD community for seven…

Dallas Education Foundation continues its commitment to educational excellence by funding literacy kits for elementary school students across Dallas ISD.  These innovative kits bridge literacy and STEM education, helping kindergarten-through-fifth-grade students connect what they read to real-world scientific concepts. The literacy kits are designed to make abstract STEM topics tangible by providing grade-specific manipulatives that complement our reading curriculum. By reinforcing informational texts with hands-on tools, the kits deepen students’ understanding and engagement across disciplines, laying a strong foundation for future learning. “These literacy kits are a game-changer for Dallas ISD students,” said Roberto Gonzalez, executive director of Reading Language…

Submitted by Lennon Formaggini Students from across Dallas ISD showcased their talents in various subjects, including mathematics, writing, spelling, and science at the annual Elementary University Interscholastic League (UIL) Academic Competitions, sponsored by Student Activities. “We are proud of each and every student who participated in this year’s UIL competition,” said Julian Spearman, Student Activities coordinator. “They spent weeks practicing and preparing for this day.” This year’s event featured two separate competitions, one for schools in the north region and another for schools in the south, allowing a total of 1,845 students from 108 campuses to participate. After a full…

As the school year draws to a close, Dallas ISD is shining a spotlight on thousands of high-achieving students whose dedication to academic excellence and college readiness has set them apart. More than 10,000 students were recently honored by Superintendent Stephanie S. Elizalde, Ed.D., as part of the prestigious Dallas ISD Scholars Program. This elite recognition is awarded to students in grades seven through 12 who demonstrate outstanding academic achievement and the potential for future success in higher education. “I offer my personal congratulations to all of you this evening, and I thank you, students, for your award-winning academic accomplishments,”…