News Summary
Five schools in the Dallas Independent School District have seen their A-F accountability ratings rise after rescoring thousands of STAAR tests. Notable improvements include Young Men’s Leadership Academy moving from F to D and several others elevating their grades significantly. Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde emphasized the importance of accurate test scoring while highlighting the district’s goal to eliminate D and F ratings by 2026. This trend reflects a commitment to enhancing educational quality and accountability in the district.
Dallas, Texas
Five schools within the Dallas Independent School District (DISD) have improved their A-F accountability ratings following a rescoring of more than 5,000 STAAR tests. This change resulted in an overall increase in grades after more than one-third of the submitted exams received higher scores upon review. Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde highlighted that these rescored tests led to better grades compared to initial projections for these schools.
Among the schools that witnessed significant changes, the Young Men’s Leadership Academy was initially expected to receive an F but improved to a D after 44 tests were rescored, with 18 of those tests receiving additional points. Other schools that improved their ratings include:
- John Lewis Social Justice Academy: Improved from D to C
- Seagoville Elementary: Improved from C to B
- Henry B. Gonzalez Personalized Learning Academy: Improved from C to B
- Walnut Hill International Leadership Academy: Improved from B to A
Last year, district officials also submitted a similar request for rescoring, which resulted in roughly 43% of more than 4,600 tested students receiving additional points. Elizalde emphasized that this ongoing trend indicates a necessary recalibration of how STAAR exams are graded throughout Texas, reinforcing the importance of accurate assessment in the educational system.
Many parents look to these A-F ratings when deciding where to enroll their children, highlighting the significance of accurate grading in the educational landscape. Education Commissioner Mike Morath mentioned that the improvements seen in DISD reflect the effectiveness of the current system in providing reliable feedback on school performance.
- The Texas Education Agency (TEA) charges $50 per appeal for rescoring but does not impose fees on districts if the score does not change.
- A student’s score cannot decrease during rescoring; it can either remain the same or be increased.
In Texas, approximately 3 million reading tests were completed by students last year, with around 21,600 tests submitted for rescoring. Out of these, nearly 6,200 tests experienced score alterations as a result of the review process. Despite these changes, frustration surrounding automated scoring of essay responses persists, as this method has led to a higher number of zero scores in comparison to traditional human grading methods.
Some district leaders have expressed their concerns by filing a lawsuit against the automated scoring system, arguing that it negatively impacts student achievement. Addressing these educational challenges, Elizalde aims to eliminate any D or F ratings across DISD by the 2026-27 school year. The district has shown overall improvement, raising its grade from a C to a B in 2023.
Additionally, nearly 93% of DISD’s 228 campuses received A, B, or C ratings, with only two campuses earning an F grade, representing a decrease from 24 campuses the previous year. A-F grades are primarily determined by standardized test scores, which are evaluated based on student achievement, school progress, and efforts in closing achievement gaps.
The positive changes in grades for these DISD schools highlight a commitment to enhancing educational quality and accountability, responding not only to the needs of students but also to the expectations of parents and the broader community.
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Additional Resources
- Dallas News
- Wikipedia: STAAR Test
- WFAA
- Google Search: Dallas Independent School District
- Dallas News
- Google Scholar: Texas Education Agency
- NBC Dallas-Fort Worth
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Standardized Testing
- Fox 4 News
- Google News: Texas Education
Author: STAFF HERE DALLAS WRITER
DALLAS STAFF WRITER The DALLAS STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREDallas.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Dallas, Dallas County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as the State Fair of Texas, Deep Ellum Arts Festival, and Dallas International Film Festival. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Dallas Regional Chamber and United Way of Metropolitan Dallas, plus leading businesses in telecommunications, aviation, and semiconductors that power the local economy such as AT&T, Southwest Airlines, and Texas Instruments. As part of the broader HERE network, including HEREAustinTX.com, HERECollegeStation.com, HEREHouston.com, and HERESanAntonio.com, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Texas's dynamic landscape.
