News Summary
The Dallas Independent School District (DISD) is on track to eliminate all D and F-rated campuses, with significant improvements already observed. Currently, only 16 schools have received these low ratings, a notable decrease from the previous year. DISD serves almost 140,000 students and is focused on transforming its academic performance through targeted initiatives and increased support for low-performing schools. The district’s objective is to ensure that all campuses achieve grades of A, B, or C, providing a pathway to better educational outcomes for students in Dallas.
Dallas – The Dallas Independent School District (DISD) has set an ambitious goal to eliminate all D and F-rated campuses by the next public school ratings, targeting significant improvements in academic standards across the district. Currently, DISD reports the lowest number of D and F-rated schools since the Texas Education Agency began issuing campus grades in 2019, with only 16 campuses receiving these ratings this year.
Significant strides have been made, as the number of F-rated schools plummeted from 24 to just 2, and D-rated campuses decreased from 41 to 14 over the last year. These improvements denote a notable success in addressing long-standing academic challenges faced by the district. As a result, only 6% of Dallas students are now attending schools that received a D or F rating, a considerable decline from 26% in 2023 and 24% in 2024.
DISD, which is the second-largest school district in Texas with 228 campuses serving nearly 140,000 students, strives for a future where all schools achieve ratings of A, B, or C. This ambitious objective follows a year where academic gains were evident in numerous struggling campuses, contributing to the positive trend noted in the latest ratings. Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde has voiced the intention of using this progress not only to uplift DISD but also to serve as an inspiration for other districts navigating similar issues related to educational performance and resource limitations.
Despite significant achievements, there are challenges in addressing educational disparities. While DISD works toward eliminating D and F-rated schools, other North Texas districts such as Highland Park ISD and Carroll ISD have already managed to reach this goal, benefiting from serving fewer students with lower poverty rates. In comparison, this achievement will serve as a benchmark for DISD, which aims to match the successes seen in districts with fewer economic challenges like Houston ISD that reported no F-rated schools following a state takeover.
Investment in educational resources has played a pivotal role in driving recent successes for DISD. Programs such as early childhood learning initiatives, high-quality instructional materials, and the Teacher Excellence Initiative have been fundamental in improving academic outcomes. With nearly 10,000 teachers employed in DISD, the district is also witnessing the lowest teacher vacancy rate since 2014, now at 59 vacancies.
To further support schools classified as low-performing, DISD has launched the new District Support Initiative. This initiative aims to provide increased assistance to high-poverty elementary schools that are in danger of receiving D or F ratings. Schools receiving targeted support will benefit from additional resources, including funding for specialized instructional roles and expanded after-school programs. Ongoing monitoring and individualized attention from the district leadership will ensure that schools at risk of lower ratings receive the necessary support and resources to elevate their academic performance.
DISD is committed to sustaining the improved ratings and prioritizing continuous academic growth. With a focus on reducing the number of D and F-rated campuses, the district emphasizes the significance of maintaining improvements, ensuring that students in Dallas have access to quality education that can propel them toward a successful future.
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Additional Resources
- Dallas News: Superintendent Aims for No D and F Schools
- Dallas News: Changes at Dallas ISD This School Year
- Dallas Express: Parental Permission Required in Dallas ISD
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Dallas Independent School District
- WFAA: North Texas High Schools Among Best in New Rankings
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.
