Moving to the Dallas - Fort Worth Metroplex? Get your answers and make your buying decisions easy by using our resource guide.
| Education |
There are one hundred plus school districts in the 12-county Dallas/Fort Worth area that includes Collin, Dallas, Delta, Denton, Ellis, Hunt, Johnson, Kaufman, Parker, Rockwall, Tarrant and Wise counties. Dallas/Fort Worth educators and the community are committed to creating a high-quality educational environment to serve the needs of an increasingly diverse student population. All Dallas-area independent school districts operate with the basic premise that every child can and should learn.
Similar to other U.S. schools, Dallas-area schools are mostly divided into three levels: elementary schools for pre-K through fifth grade, middle schools for sixth through eighth grade and high schools for ninth through 12th grade. State law requires that each school district employ enough teachers to maintain an average teacher-to-student ratio of one-to-20, and that a school district not enroll more than 22 students per teacher per classroom from kindergarten through fourth grade. English language arts, fine arts, languages other than English, mathematics, science and social studies comprise the core curriculum. Generally, teachers use numerical grades, with report cards sent to parents of elementary students every nine weeks and to parents of middle and high school students every six weeks. Students are promoted based on academic achievement, measured in certain years by statewide tests.
In the last six years, the state of Texas has spent more than $7 billion on education reform as well as to improve learning in core subject areas like math, reading and science; and has proposed targeted incentives tied to achievement in the classroom.
— TEXAS ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
The Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) is a standardized test used in Texas primary and secondary schools to assess students’ attainment of reading, writing, math, science and social studies skills required under Texas education standards. It is developed and scored by Pearson Educational Measurement with close supervision by the Texas Education Agency. Though created before the No Child Left Behind Act was passed, it complies with the law. Those students being home-schooled or attending private schools are not required to take the TAKS test.
Recently, the Commissioner of Education Robert Scott announced that the next generation of student tests will be called the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, which will replace the TAKS test. The new tests will be used beginning in the 2011-2012 school year. Students in the graduating Class of 2015 will be the first students who must meet the end-of-course testing requirements, as well as pass their classes, in order to earn a diploma. The new tests will be significantly more rigorous than previous tests and will measure a child’s performance, as well as academic growth. The grade 3-8 STAAR tests in reading and mathematics, by law, must be linked from grade to grade to performance expectations for the English III and Algebra II end-of-course assessments. During a speech at the Texas Association of School Administrators’ Midwinter Conference in Austin, Commissioner Scott also said the last TAKS-based school accountability ratings will be issued in 2011. Ratings will be suspended in 2012 while a new accountability system is developed. The new state rating system will debut in 2013. For more information, visit www.tea.state.tx.us.
— ACCOUNTABILITY
The Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS) reports provide a great deal of performance information about every public school and district in the state. These reports also provide extensive profile information about staff, finances, and programs. The TEA recommends that you narrow your search to neighborhoods you like, and then print AEIS reports for the schools there. Once you have this background information contact the principal and/or counselor of each school to get a more complete picture of the school. It’s recommended that you visit and tour the school to get a general feel for the atmosphere and programs available. Look at several ones to determine which offers the best curriculum. Visit www.tea.state.tx.us/ to access AEIS reports.
— MAGNET SCHOOLS
Magnet schools are part of the public school educational system and generally offer a particular focus such as science, technology or the arts. Students from elementary, middle and high school can attend a magnet school throughout a district. To learn about magnet schools, check with a local school district office to identify their particular magnet school program. The Dallas area supports more than 30 magnet schools that offer career focused classes including dentistry, forensic science, banking law, and computer engineering. The School of Science & Engineering and School for the Talented & Gifted ranked as the No. 1 and No. 2 high schools in the state for the second straight year, according to Children at Risk, a Houston nonprofit group.
— CHARTER SCHOOLS
In 1995, the Texas Education Code established the charter school concept – a type of public school operated under a state-granted charter or contract. TEA charter schools are autonomous, open-enrollment institutions that use state funding to offer innovative learning opportunities with greater flexibility than traditional public schools. Although subject to fewer state laws than traditional public and magnet schools, charter schools still are monitored and accredited under the statewide testing and accountability system. Many school districts in the area also have charter schools that then operate with the approval of the Board of Education and within the jurisdiction of their particular district. Lindsley Park Community School, Peak Preparatory, and North Hills Preparatory are top Dallas charter schools performing with high achievements. In Tarrant County, Arlington Classics Academy, Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts and Harmony Science Academy are also among Metroplex charter schools receiving local and national accolades.
Similar to other U.S. schools, Dallas-area schools are mostly divided into three levels: elementary schools for pre-K through fifth grade, middle schools for sixth through eighth grade and high schools for ninth through 12th grade. State law requires that each school district employ enough teachers to maintain an average teacher-to-student ratio of one-to-20, and that a school district not enroll more than 22 students per teacher per classroom from kindergarten through fourth grade. English language arts, fine arts, languages other than English, mathematics, science and social studies comprise the core curriculum. Generally, teachers use numerical grades, with report cards sent to parents of elementary students every nine weeks and to parents of middle and high school students every six weeks. Students are promoted based on academic achievement, measured in certain years by statewide tests.
In the last six years, the state of Texas has spent more than $7 billion on education reform as well as to improve learning in core subject areas like math, reading and science; and has proposed targeted incentives tied to achievement in the classroom.
— TEXAS ASSESSMENT OF KNOWLEDGE AND SKILLS
The Texas Assessment of Knowledge and Skills (TAKS) is a standardized test used in Texas primary and secondary schools to assess students’ attainment of reading, writing, math, science and social studies skills required under Texas education standards. It is developed and scored by Pearson Educational Measurement with close supervision by the Texas Education Agency. Though created before the No Child Left Behind Act was passed, it complies with the law. Those students being home-schooled or attending private schools are not required to take the TAKS test.
Recently, the Commissioner of Education Robert Scott announced that the next generation of student tests will be called the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness, or STAAR, which will replace the TAKS test. The new tests will be used beginning in the 2011-2012 school year. Students in the graduating Class of 2015 will be the first students who must meet the end-of-course testing requirements, as well as pass their classes, in order to earn a diploma. The new tests will be significantly more rigorous than previous tests and will measure a child’s performance, as well as academic growth. The grade 3-8 STAAR tests in reading and mathematics, by law, must be linked from grade to grade to performance expectations for the English III and Algebra II end-of-course assessments. During a speech at the Texas Association of School Administrators’ Midwinter Conference in Austin, Commissioner Scott also said the last TAKS-based school accountability ratings will be issued in 2011. Ratings will be suspended in 2012 while a new accountability system is developed. The new state rating system will debut in 2013. For more information, visit www.tea.state.tx.us.
— ACCOUNTABILITY
The Academic Excellence Indicator System (AEIS) reports provide a great deal of performance information about every public school and district in the state. These reports also provide extensive profile information about staff, finances, and programs. The TEA recommends that you narrow your search to neighborhoods you like, and then print AEIS reports for the schools there. Once you have this background information contact the principal and/or counselor of each school to get a more complete picture of the school. It’s recommended that you visit and tour the school to get a general feel for the atmosphere and programs available. Look at several ones to determine which offers the best curriculum. Visit www.tea.state.tx.us/ to access AEIS reports.
— MAGNET SCHOOLS
Magnet schools are part of the public school educational system and generally offer a particular focus such as science, technology or the arts. Students from elementary, middle and high school can attend a magnet school throughout a district. To learn about magnet schools, check with a local school district office to identify their particular magnet school program. The Dallas area supports more than 30 magnet schools that offer career focused classes including dentistry, forensic science, banking law, and computer engineering. The School of Science & Engineering and School for the Talented & Gifted ranked as the No. 1 and No. 2 high schools in the state for the second straight year, according to Children at Risk, a Houston nonprofit group.
— CHARTER SCHOOLS
In 1995, the Texas Education Code established the charter school concept – a type of public school operated under a state-granted charter or contract. TEA charter schools are autonomous, open-enrollment institutions that use state funding to offer innovative learning opportunities with greater flexibility than traditional public schools. Although subject to fewer state laws than traditional public and magnet schools, charter schools still are monitored and accredited under the statewide testing and accountability system. Many school districts in the area also have charter schools that then operate with the approval of the Board of Education and within the jurisdiction of their particular district. Lindsley Park Community School, Peak Preparatory, and North Hills Preparatory are top Dallas charter schools performing with high achievements. In Tarrant County, Arlington Classics Academy, Fort Worth Academy of Fine Arts and Harmony Science Academy are also among Metroplex charter schools receiving local and national accolades.
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