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As the nation's eleventh largest school district, Dallas Independent School District serves more than 160,000 students who come from homes where 58 different languages are spoken.  Operating with a $1 billion dollar budget, DISD employs 18,613 employees including 10,000 teachers in 220 schools.

DISD 'Hook Up With School' At State Fair Of Texas

6 Oct 2000

Initiative Encourages Dropouts To Return and Finish Education

In a continual effort to reconnect students who have dropped out of school, the Dallas Independent School District will again host a dropout recovery fair from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, Oct. 20, in the Horticulture Center at Fair Park.

“Hook Up With School” is designed to encourage students who have abandoned school before graduation to return and finish their education, said H. B. Bell, DISD associate superintendent–Dropout Prevention, Intervention and Recovery.

“This is one of several district initiatives to reclaim more than 500 students who have dropped out of school,” he said. “By reconnecting these students, the district can help them get their high school diploma or GED which is necessary for them to become productive citizens.”

The milestone of graduating from high school boosts self-esteem and self-worth. Bell says it enables students to realize that other life goals are possible. He said more than 500 students attended the dropout recovery fair last year, and the district was able to help at least 150 students return to school.

The district has sent out more than 8,000 invitations to students who have dropped out of school. Students attending the dropout-recovery fair receive free admission to the State Fair of Texas. Counselors with an on-site computer system will be available to tell students how many academic credits they have and need to graduate. Also, GED and Adult Basic Education representatives will assist students with information that will help them finish their high school education.

The “Hook Up With School” for DISD is sponsored by the High School Recovery Task Force, a community collaboration of individuals who represent more than 10 agencies, educational institutions and local media. For more information about the dropout recovery fair, call (972) 925-4878.