Dallas ISD Schools Rank High in New Advocacy Group Ranking
Dallas ISD schools have received high rankings in a recent report by the advocacy group, Children at Risk, highlighting the educational performance of North Texas schools. However, despite this positive news, there is still room for improvement as students across the state continue to face challenges due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
Dallas ISD Boasts Top-Ranked Middle and High Schools
According to the Children at Risk index, Dallas ISD is home to the top-ranked middle schools in the state – the William B. Travis Vanguard Academy and the Sudie L. Williams Talented and Gifted Academy. Additionally, the School for the Talented and Gifted, also located in Dallas ISD, has been recognized as the top-ranked high school in Texas.
The rankings are based on various factors, including academic performance, college readiness, and student growth. While Dallas ISD shines in these rankings, Children at Risk emphasizes that more needs to be done to improve public education throughout Texas.
Pandemic Effects on Texas Public Education
During a news conference, Bob Sanborn, the president and CEO of Children at Risk, expressed concerns about the state of public education. He noted that despite the nonprofit’s findings typically indicating improvement among low-income students statewide, this year was an exception. Sanborn described this as a “red flag” and highlighted the significant pandemic-related learning loss experienced by students across Texas.
Sanborn also criticized the lack of action by state legislators during the recent session. He pointed out that none of the state’s $33 billion surplus was allocated to public education, resulting in missed opportunities for important initiatives such as teacher raises and addressing pandemic-related learning loss.
Dallas-Fort Worth’s “Gold Ribbon” Schools
Sanborn highlighted the Dallas-Fort Worth area’s distinction of having the highest percentage of “gold ribbon” schools – those that are both high-poverty and high-performing. However, the latest accountability report, including data from North Texas, reveals a decrease in the number of gold ribbon schools. This trend underscores the need for further attention and support for education among high-poverty schools.
Differences in Accountability Measures
Children at Risk’s annual rankings serve as the sole indicator of school performance this year due to a legal battle that delayed the release of the Texas Education Agency’s accountability ratings. While the advocacy group and the Texas Education Agency assess schools using similar criteria, Children at Risk goes beyond standardized testing scores by considering campus performance, student growth, and college readiness.
The Way Forward for Dallas ISD
Despite the positive rankings for Dallas ISD schools, Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde acknowledges that there is still work to be done. While celebrating the achievements of schools in her district, Elizalde emphasizes the need to address areas where improvement is necessary. Recognizing the challenges is the first step towards finding solutions and ensuring every child’s success within Dallas ISD.
Juan Salinas II is a KERA news intern. Got a tip? Email Juan at [email protected]. You can follow Juan on X @4nsmiley