Spreading awareness for sign language

Bobby White, a deaf education teacher in Dallas ISD, is raising awareness about the importance of sign language and other resources for deaf students. Dallas ISD’s deaf education program supports deaf students by providing them with interpreters in the classroom and at after-school activities. Dallas ISD’s Benefits Department has partnered with organizations like the Deaf Action Center to expand the number of interpreters available to students.

Dallas ISD will join lawsuit seeking to block new A-F school scores 

Dallas ISD is joining a lawsuit seeking to block the release of new A-F school accountability scores. There is a concern that the new system could mean lower school rankings leading to the belief that student achievement plummeted between 2022 and 2023. The state education commissioner says the changes to the system are needed to ensure schools continually work to improve outcomes for students.

Hispanic Heritage Spotlight: Breaking stereotypes and helping students find their voice

Daniel Negrete's joined a ballet folklorico ensemble in high school at Woodrow Wilson, sparking his passion for dance. After returning to his alma mater as a teacher, he co-created a curriculum highlighting Mexican-American Folkloric Dance Studies, emphasizing the diversity in Mexican culture.

Gov. Greg Abbott says special legislative session on “school choice” coming in October

Texas Governor Greg Abbott is calling a special session of the legislature next month to focus on passing school choice legislation. School choice allows parents to use taxpayer dollars to send their children to private or charter schools. Abbott said that he is willing to call multiple special sessions on school choice until it passes. He also said that he is considering putting the issue to a statewide vote if the legislature fails to act.

Voters to decide on cost-of-living adjustment for retired Texas teachers Nov. 7

Texas voters will decide on a cost-of-living increase for some retired educators in the Nov. 7 constitutional amendment election. The ballot measure would see educators receive either a 2%, 4%, or 6% cost-of-living increase, dependent on the recipient's age and date of retirement. The increase would be funded by the Teacher Retirement System's investment of funds allocated from the state budget surplus.

Black High School Student Suspended Over His Hair Length Sues Texas Leaders

A Black high school student in Texas filed a federal civil rights lawsuit against the state’s governor and attorney general on Saturday after being suspended from his school because of his hairstyle. State leaders have since failed to enforce a new Texas law that makes it illegal for schools and employers to discriminate against people with hairstyles “commonly or historically associated with race.”

The Top U.S. Colleges for Delivering Social Mobility

Four of the top five colleges for delivering upward mobility for low-income students in the U.S. are in California. These colleges perform well on graduation and salary metrics while taking in high percentages of low-income students.

States Look to Social-Emotional Learning to Combat Student Misbehavior, Poor Mental Health

Social-Emotional Learning (SEL) teaches students about managing their emotions, cultivating healthy relationships, and fostering empathy. Researchers have found that instruction in social and emotional skills positively affects student achievement, as well as skills like communication and critical thinking. Missouri and other states developed new SEL standards that could help combat teacher turnover and improve student behavior.  

Do You Know What Superintendents Actually Do? 8 District Leaders Describe Their Jobs

Superintendents are the CEOs of educational organizations. They are responsible for ensuring that students receive the best education possible, providing staff with the necessary resources, and maintaining a safe environment for all. Superintendents' jobs require them to wear multiple hats, from instructional leaders to community leaders to financial managers. They are responsible for making decisions that impact the lives of millions of students each day.