August 15, 2025

Dallas Schools Update: New Policies and Changes for Students

News Summary

The Dallas Independent School District is implementing new policies for the upcoming school year, including device bans, new schools, and enhanced accountability ratings. With significant renovations and a focus on maintaining student enrollment, DISD prepares for transformative educational experiences. New legislation affecting school operations, such as restrictions on device use and diversity initiatives, will shape the learning environment.

Dallas Prepares for 2025-26 School Year with New Policies and Changes

The Dallas Independent School District (DISD) is gearing up for the 2025-26 school year with several important changes, including new policies, school openings, and anticipated enrollment increases. Following a notable rise in student enrollment in 2024, DISD is aiming to maintain around 140,000 students in the upcoming year.

The district’s superintendent and administrative team are closely tracking enrollment figures, with final numbers expected to be confirmed in the initial days of the school year. During the past year, DISD recorded its first enrollment increase in several years, a positive trend that the district hopes to sustain.

New Legislation Impacting School Policies

This academic year, new legislation will influence operational practices at DISD. House Bill 1481 introduces a ban on smart devices such as cellphones, smartwatches, laptops, and similar items during school hours. Consequently, the district has updated its code of conduct to reflect this change, detailing the confiscation policies for students who do not comply with the new device restrictions. Parents should be aware that repeated infractions will incur fees.

New Schools and Renovations

As part of its initiatives, DISD will open three newly rebuilt schools this August:

John Lewis Social Justice Academy (new middle school) located at Oliver Wendell Holmes, which cost approximately $80 million.
Henry Longfellow Career Exploration Academy (new middle school) situated at 5314 Boaz St. with a budget of around $63 million.
Albert C. Black STEAM Academy (new elementary school) at 4200 Bonnie View Road.

Additionally, numerous existing schools have recently undergone renovations, enhancing facilities at institutions such as Casa View Elementary and H.I. Holland Elementary.

Teacher Staffing Updates

In staffing news, DISD has reportedly maintained around 10,000 teachers and is nearing full capacity. Currently, there are fewer than 100 teacher vacancies within the district, marking the lowest number of unfilled positions in several years.

New Educational Mandates

Effective September 1, all Texas schools, including DISD, must display the Ten Commandments in classrooms in compliance with Senate Bill 10. However, a lawsuit has been initiated to contest this legislation, claiming it infringes on First Amendment rights concerning religious education.

Further legislative changes come from Senate Bill 12, which restricts diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs across Texas schools. The implications of this bill on DISD classrooms remain to be seen, though the district aims to adhere to legislation while accurately serving its diverse demographics.

School Accountability Ratings

The Texas Education Agency has also released updated school accountability ratings for DISD, revealing an improvement to a B grade for both the 2024 and 2025 school years, up from a C in earlier evaluations. Specifically, 60 DISD schools achieved an A rating, 103 schools earned a B, 49 received Cs, while 14 were rated Ds, and 2 schools were classified as F. Notably, the number of failing schools experienced a significant decline, dropping from 24 to just 2.

These accountability ratings are primarily based on standardized test scores, overall student achievement, school progress, and the effectiveness of closing achievement gaps. However, the new rating system has drawn scrutiny and faced legal challenges, impacting the timing and release of these important accountability ratings.

Looking Forward

With the school year drawing near, DISD’s significant organizational changes and the new policies set the stage for a transformative academic experience for students and educators alike. The district remains focused on enhancing educational quality while navigating the landscape of new regulations and community expectations.

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Additional Resources

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.

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