Board of Trustees approve tuition-based Pre-K rate for the 2023-24 school year

Dallas ISD’s Board of Trustees approved 2023-2024 tuition rates for district tuition-based Pre-K, for 3 and 4 year olds that are not eligible for free Pre-K. Tuition-based Pre-K allows Dallas ISD to begin building relationships with families within the district who otherwise would have to look elsewhere for early learning due to eligibility restrictions. Pre-K registration begins April 1.

Dallas ISD Focuses on Educator Representation

Dallas ISD is working with Teach for America to bring a pipeline of minority teachers into schools, increasing recruiting efforts at historically black colleges and in Spanish-speaking countries by 70% in the last year. Research shows that students of color have higher student outcomes when they have at least one teacher representing their race. 27% of Dallas ISD teachers are white compared to 56% statewide.

Dallas ISD’s Alternative Certification Program provides pathway to the classroom

Dallas ISD’s Alternative Certification Program is a cost free opportunity for any degreed professional interested in transitioning into teaching for critical need areas. Each participant is well-supported by their assigned field facilitator, who provides observations and feedback once they are in the classroom.

New STAAR test finds younger students not ready for online testing

Texas educators testified before the Texas House Public Education Committee in favor of allowing parents or guardians to opt out of the new online version of the STAAR test being administered this school year. Currently, there is no option available for such a request. Educators expressed concerns regarding the length of time it takes younger students to input answers on the computer, citing added stress that could have an effect on test scores.

In Texas Senate hearing, education savings accounts face questions about accountability and impact on public schools

More than 380 supporters and opponents attended the Senate Committee Education meeting to testify on Senate Bill 8 which would create education savings accounts for those parents opting out of the public education system. Supporters of this program say it will give parents more tools for providing individualized educational needs, while those opposed argue that the bill does not include accountability for private institutions surrounding student outcomes. The bill does not require any state testing for private schools.

Bills call for Texas teachers to be trained to administer lifesaving overdose drugs to students

Eight bills have been filed in the Texas Legislature calling for opioid emergency training for school personnel. The bills include training on overdose reversal medications and provisions that would allow physicians to dispense these medications to schools. Overdose deaths involving fentanyl in Texas rose 399% from 2019 to 2021.

What we do (and don't) know about teacher shortages, and what can be done about them

While teacher turnover has increased in recent years, data shows that we actually have a greater number of teachers than before the pandemic nationally. Data shows that shortages are more prevalent in districts that serve economically disadvantaged populations and in districts with lower pay. Special education, bilingual, science and math teachers are consistently in short supply.

What the Education Secretary Said School Leaders Should Prioritize Right Now

Miguel Cardona, U.S. Secretary of Education, encouraged state and local leaders to focus on reworking systems to better support students’ academics, well-being, and life after graduation. He urged leaders to utilize available federal funding through the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act to specifically support school-based mental health programs, and acknowledged the expressed challenges of allocating COVID relief funds by the September 2024 deadline.

One Way to Set Students Up for Success: Let Them Sleep

New research from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that students who averaged fewer than seven hours of sleep have more difficulty with academic work and increased mental health struggles. Half of teenagers who slept five or fewer hours in a night were identified with mental health issues such as anxiety or depression. Sleep quality was found to account for as much as 25% of the difference in student academic performance.