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.
Well, let us crow some more, because the news that hit late last month regarding attendance data in the district is astounding.
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. There are well-known reasons for that, including falling birth rates and, more important, the fact that those schools haven’t done a good job. Parents all over have rightly sought other options.
Dallas ISD isn’t free from these challenges or perceptions. Even with significant immigration, birth rates in Dallas County are down. Meanwhile, parents in this area have a lot of options, from charter schools to nearby suburbs.
That’s what makes DISD’s attendance win so remarkable and why it demonstrates that parents are rewarding the district for a series of important strategic decisions that have greatly improved our biggest public school district.
Here are the key points:
Pre-K focus: DISD has poured resources into pre-K 4 and pre-K 3. After a nasty slide in enrollment during the pandemic, the number of pre-K students is trending up, especially among 3-year-old students.
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.
Choice: Any DISD student can attend any DISD school where there is an opening. That’s not to mention an array of excellent magnet and choice schools, with a variety of focuses and pedagogies.
Leadership: DISD has benefited from good, consistent leadership, from Michael Hinojosa to Stephanie Elizalde. That consistency translates into culture.
There are more good things in store. Elizalde’s adoption of a standard curriculum and the state’s assistance with high-quality instructional materials are going to pay off.
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.
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