Dallas ISD Trustees Adopt Vision, Core Beliefs and Commitments

11 Feb 2008

Board's Vision is 'To Be the Best Urban District in the United States'

DALLAS–The Dallas Independent School District's Board of Trustees approved board policy AEA (Local) during the January board meeting. Through the policy, the board adopted a vision statement as required by House Bill 2653 of all school districts, effective Sept. 1, 2007.

The board's vision is: "To be the best urban district in the United States." In addition, the board adopted core beliefs and commitments as required by the Reform Governance in Action program, which provides training institutes for teams of school board members and their district superintendent. Training costs for the Dallas ISD are underwritten by the Meadows Foundation in conjunction with the Broad Foundation. The core beliefs and related commitments provide vision and direction to the district.

"The beliefs that we have adopted will serve as a guide for every person who has a commitment to the district: staff, parents, students and community members, in order to achieve the goal of making Dallas ISD the best urban district in the nation by 2010," said Board of Trustees President, Jack Lowe.

The core beliefs and commitments adopted by the board are:

CORE BELIEFS:

I. We believe that every student can perform at or above grade level and graduate college and workforce ready to compete in the global economy;

II. We believe that educators have the most powerful impact on student achievement;

III. We believe that educational equity and excellence will eliminate the achievement gap;

IV. We believe that every student must be educated in a safe, welcoming, effective and innovative learning environment;

V. We believe our school district must be a model for sound fiscal responsibility and integrity;

VI. We believe that engaged parents and guardians impact a student's academic and personal development and;

VII. We believe that a supportive community is fundamental to achieving and sustaining our success.

COMMITMENTS:

I. We believe that every student can perform at or above grade level and graduate college and workforce ready to compete in the global economy; therefore we commit to:

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• Support the learning conditions and provide the resources needed for all students to reach high academic levels.
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• Setting college readiness as the standard pre-K-12 for all students.
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II. We believe that educators have the most powerful impact on student achievement; therefore we commit to:

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• Support the efforts to recruit, retain and reward highly effective teachers and principals to ensure that students have access to expert instruction.
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• Allocate the resources needed to equip principals and teachers with the skills to provide effective leadership and instruction that results in student achievement.
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III. We believe that educational equity and excellence will eliminate the achievement gap; therefore we commit to:

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• Provide all students with equal access to a rigorous and challenging academic curriculum.
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• Promote an educational system that supports targeted effort toward academically rigorous learning for all students and student groups.
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• Allocate the necessary resources to ensure equitable access to rigorous learning, thus eliminating the achievement gap.
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IV. We believe that every student must be educated in a safe, welcoming, effective and innovative learning environment; therefore we commit to:

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• Provide for safe and secure learning environments that support civility, respect, and academic achievement of all students.
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• Adopt a code of conduct and ensure policies and procedures are followed.
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V. We believe our school district must be a model for integrity and fiscal responsibility; therefore we commit to:

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• Support staff training on the ethical practices and the investigation of all reported ethical issues.
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• Adopt sound legal and fiscal policies governing the management of the district.
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• Require and monitor fiscal controls and hold all staff, vendors and contractors accountable.
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VI. We believe that engaged parents and guardians impact a student's academic and personal development; therefore we commit to:

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• Support programs that inform and engage parents in the academic and social development of their children (students).
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• Adopt a framework for public school parental choice at the secondary level.
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VII. We believe that a supportive community is fundamental to achieving and sustaining our success; therefore we commit to:

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• Support partnerships with community, business, civic and faith-based organizations for achieving excellence.
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• Engage the community's support in achieving the district's vision.
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