Dallas ISD Board of Trustees President Dan Micciche, District 3

Remarkable turnaround is making waves

throughout the state

When it comes down to student achievement, without a doubt, effective teachers make the biggest impact. Sure, creative, innovative programs, extracurricular involvement, a robust curriculum and other aspects play a part in academic success for students. But an effective teacher in every classroom is the key to making sure all these components work together correctly to help each student achieve academic success.

Placing the district’s top teachers in schools that have historically struggled, academically, has changed the dynamics at several of Dallas ISD schools. Through the Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) program, teams of the district’s most effective teachers and principals are given stipends to teach at the most challenging schools. This has proven to be a huge boost to students, and they are experiencing incredible growth.

ACE launched in 2016-2017 at seven schools. Since that time, six of those schools have moved off the Improvement Required list, and more have been brought into the program. With the help of these top educators, ACE is at the head of a remarkable turnaround.

ACE expands

The latest cohort of schools that will be in the program next school year include District 3’s L.L. Hotchkiss Elementary. This group will make up ACE 3.0, a hybrid model called “ACE Leadership” aimed at building a foundation for college readiness among students with a strong focus on developing teacher leadership.   

ACE has received great recognition across the state, and other districts are adopting the program. Through ACE we continue to prove that our mission of educating all students for success can be accomplished with the help of our most basic tool, effective teaching.

Get ready for summer fun, summer success!

If you missed the Dallas ISD Summer Resource Fair earlier this month, you missed out on the fun enjoyed by nearly 2,300 people as they discovered all the summer excitement available to every child in the area. However, there’s still time to enroll your children in this summer’s most fun-filled activities and camps, and the best part is they are free or low-cost options.

Dallas ISD, Big Thought, Dallas City of Learning and the City of Dallas have teamed up to provide fun and excitement in every part of the city. North, south, east and west, there’s something available to students of all ages. Whether they’re interested in the arts, sports, STEM, STEAM and much more, you owe it to your children to check out these programs.

Research shows that students who attend an enrichment activity or program during the summer on a regular basis have a better chance at retaining much of the academic progress they make during the school year. Dallas ISD has taken every step to partner with other community providers to offer something for every student. Of particular note, this summer, are the programs for students with special needs designed to help enrich their summer activities.

To find out what programs are available in your area, check out the Discover Summer guide at dallasisd.org.   

Future Focus Camps taking applications

Be sure to check out the Future Focus College and Career Readiness Camp for current sophomores and juniors. For two weeks (June 11-22) students get hands-on experience to sharpen their skills in business, professionalism, interviewing, resume writing, career exploration, company visits, technology and more. Apply by April 27 at UnitedWayDallas.org/FutureFocusCamp or call 214-978-0032.

Mark your calendars for Class of 2018 graduations

Bryan Adams High School, 7 p.m., Friday, June 1, at Alfred J. Loos Field House.

Emmett J. Conrad High School, 5 p.m., Saturday, June 2, at Alfred J. Loos Field House.

Superintendent Scholarships awarded to District 3 students

Congratulations to Superintendent Scholarship recipients Yadhav Dulal and Edwin Mojica from Conrad HS; and Matthew Nagbe and Michael Nunez from Bryan Adams. Also, congrats to Conrad’s Sulentic Scholar Lal Lawmi.