6 Nov 2008
District's Academic Systems "Consistent with High-Performing Systems"
DALLAS-The Dallas Independent School District was given high marks today for "impressive" improvement by the National Center for Educational Achievement.
NCEA presented its annual audit on the district's academic systems to Dallas ISD Board of Trustees today.
"You have a system in place that is consistent with high-performing systems," said Jimmy Neitzel, Principal Project Manager from the National Center of Education of Achievement. "You are pointing your system in the right direction and I cannot urge you enough to stay the course."
NCEA's initial audit of the district's academic systems in 2005 made 17 recommendations for improvement. In 2007, Dallas ISD showed improvement in 12 areas. Today's report showed ratings improved over the 2007 report on 9 recommendations, with intermediate to high marks in 14 of the 17 categories.
"This is very impressive, strong work," said Neitzel. "We are most impressed with the integration of Curriculum Central with MyData Portal and think that it should serve as a model for every other system as a means for monitoring individual student work."
NCEA's review included interviews with teachers, principals and key district staff members in mid-September. The review included visits to 23 elementary, middle and high schools. The report noted that interviewees in the district at the district, school, and classroom levels reported that everyone in the district "now speaks the same language" regarding teaching and learning.
"This is a good indicator that the systems that we have implemented are moving the district in the right direction," said Superintendent of Schools Michael Hinojosa. "We still have a long way to go, but the foundation has been laid for future student improvement."
The NCEA progress report noted that during 2007-08, the district implemented an ambitious restructuring plan and introduced collaborative planning time at secondary campuses. The results of the report indicate that the reforms have helped build the capacity of teachers and principals.