by focusing less on the test. For years, teachers, parents and students have been telling us that test prep is out of control. We hear you, and starting this year teaching to the test is a thing of the past in Dallas ISD. Let me say this more plainly: Test prep is dead in Dallas. That means no more practice tests, no more shutting down schools for STAAR camps and no more worksheets.
I’m not pointing a finger at anyone but myself here. When I was chief of schools for Dallas ISD, I advised principals to use these methods to show growth in test scores, which boosted overall school ratings. I was the queen of test prep, but if growth in test scores resulted in closing the gaps between different groups of students, then those gaps would not be persisting today. We needed to change, and I’m not afraid to lead that change.
In place of worksheets, kids will get an evidence-based curriculum that engages them on grade level. This allows teachers the freedom to get creative; we’re giving them curriculums with lessons. They don’t need to worry about planning what to teach anymore. Now they get to focus on how to reach their kiddos. When I was just starting out as an educator in San Antonio, we called that “teaching.”
Dallas ISD is also expanding our investments in early learning to provide small-group instruction to second and third graders at identified campuses. The STAAR results showed that the reading interventionists worked, so we’re doubling down.A reading interventionist is a certified teacher with specialized training in reading who provides extra, one-on-one tutoring beyond what the student receives in the classroom.Last, we are staffing in a way that makes strategic sense.
Unfortunately, rising student scores aren’t going to be reflected in our new A-F state ratings expected in September. In fact, because the Texas Education Agency is changing the rules retroactively, we expect our school ratings to go down even though our students’ scores have shown remarkable gains. This doesn’t make sense to us, either, which is why it’s important we celebrate the success of our students, teachers and families now.
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