Texas Education Agency monitors are in Dallas this week to see how the district is fixing its 34 worst-performing schools.
DISD’s chief of school leadership, Sylvia Reyna, says the schools are tackling the problems. For example, she says Patton Academy is a school for older students who dropped out years ago. Now, they’re motivated to graduate, but also work part-time.
“What was happening was they weren’t accruing the credit they needed at the rate and pace they needed to in order to graduate,” Reyna said. “We’ve changed that school schedule. We’re looking at what’s the root cause of the issue and how can we then provide support systems?”
The TEA will study high schools like Pinkston, Spruce and Samuell, as well as middle and elementary schools. All are listed by the state as “requiring improvement.”
The district should learn about the TEA’s assessment in a month or two.