Dallas ISD bucked a trend for urban schools by stabilizing enrollment. Here are the key reasons why.
We’ve been crowing for some time about the good things happening in Dallas ISD and the way it is changing the narrative around urban school districts.If the numbers bear out, and we think they will, DISD is going to show that it has not only arrested the trend of lost enrollment but that it may even grow its student population of some 139,000 students.That’s a big deal. Urban school districts across the country have seen declining enrollment for a long time.
Teacher retention: Since it fully implemented its Teacher Excellence Initiative that financially rewards good teachers, DISD has outperformed the state and the region in retaining teachers. The district’s most recent figures show that turnover is 1.3% lower than the state and 3.6% lower than the region.Curb appeal: We are now seeing the effect of the 2020 bond program in new schools, fields, tracks and more. Schools that once looked neglected have new faces. That builds confidence with parents.
Leadership: DISD has benefited from good, consistent leadership, from Michael Hinojosa to Stephanie Elizalde. That consistency translates into culture.But there is also risk. If the Legislature doesn’t adequately fund our public schools or diverts enormous dollars into a voucher program, DISD will have to try to do more with less.
That would be a mistake, and we urge state lawmakers to look at what urban education can be with the right reforms and the right focus before they decide it can’t succeed. Because in Dallas, parents are showing they believe in our schools.. Dallas Morning News editorials are written by the paper's Editorial Board and serve as the voice and view of the paper. The board considers a broad range of topics and is overseen by the Editorial Page Editor.
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