In 1993, the Texas Legislature enacted statutes that mandated the creation of the Texas public school accountability system to rate school districts and evaluate campuses. A viable and effective accountability system was able to be developed in Texas because the state already had the necessary supporting infrastructure in place: a pre-existing student-level data collection system; a state-mandated curriculum; and a statewide assessment tied to the curriculum.

It's June and school is finally out. Students have responded well to the many TAKS tests. Teachers have endured not one, not two, but three instances of anxiety about their job. Principals have been nervous all year about the AEIS rating their school will receive from TEA. Parents have had to endure it all.

There were several TAKS dates this past year. As such, it appeared students were taking a test every month. Many times, it was only a benchmark or an assessment of students' grasp of TAKS objectives. But still, TAKS was always on their mind.

Often, I ask constituents to advise me on issues affecting Dallas ISD.  Many times, the advice I receive shapes my views on issues coming before the Board of Trustees.  I appreciate their involvement.
 

We have gone through half of the 2008-09 school year. Now, let's take time to review and reflect, while looking towards the horizon of hope. Tell me what you think of Dallas ISD's past and present. Also, tell me what you think we should do, as trustees, to make schools better for parents, students, teachers and staff, and the greater Dallas community.

Dallas ISD students and staff are returning from a well-deserved winter break. Many events occurred during the fall semester that caused distractions while providing a high quality education for our students. Hopefully teachers and other staff are rested and ready to resume the district's mission of preparing all students to graduate with the knowledge and skills to become productive and responsible citizens. We must now return our focus to teaching our students well, providing the highest quality education we can.

Education Opens Doors

The Dallas ISD Board of Trustees approved a reduction in force (RIF) as a way to deal with its financial emergency. Last year, the District overspent the budget by nearly $64 million. The District is on par to have a budget shortfall of nearly $84 million unless we take immediate action to reduce expenditures. Thus, the majority of the cost reductions will be in employee payroll.

About two weeks ago, Dallas ISD has terminated more than 160 employees from the central office level. Last week, more than 300 campus level support employees were terminated. This week, more than 450 additional campus level employees will be terminated, including teachers, 10 counselors, and 40 assistant principals. It's possible that even more employees will be terminated.

Pockets of Pride
School begins August 25 for Dallas ISD students. Last school year was one of the best yet for Dallas ISD. The top rating from the Texas Education Agency, "Exemplary" was earned by 26 of our schools. The number of "Recognized" rated schools was 77.

Corners of Concern
While we are proud of the 103 schools that earned the top two highest ratings, we have much work to do with the 21 schools rated as "Academically Unacceptable". We must leave no school behind as we move towards having world-class schools for our world-class city.

Anxious with Anticipation