Dallas ISD Superintendent Stephanie Elizalde used her state of the district Tuesday night to address the district鈥檚 recent accountability rating and point to accomplishments she said the grade can鈥檛 reflect.
Speaking at the Winspear Opera House, Elizalde declared the district strong because of its employees.
鈥淚 don鈥檛 believe it鈥檚 ever been stronger,鈥� she said.
The Texas Education Agency recently released district accountability ratings for 2023 after they had been held up by a lengthy court challenge. They showed the district鈥檚 letter grade of B in 2022 dropped to a C based on scores in 2023.
Elizalde said there鈥檚 a lot of work to do, but the district is ready.
She said the district accomplished a lot that a single letter grade 鈥� based largely on one test given near the end of the year 鈥� can鈥檛 reveal.
She said more than 1,500 high school graduates in 2024 earned more than 60 college credits or high-wage, high skill certifications.
鈥淭hose numbers are up from the previous year,鈥� she said, 鈥渁nd they do represent real world success. And some of that doesn't always show up in an A through F rating, do they?鈥�
Texas lawmakers are considering a bill that would change the state鈥檚 STAAR test that influences accountability ratings.
Wrapping up her 10-minute speech, Elizalde welcomed the possible STAAR replacement with 鈥渁 real-time progress monitoring immediate feedback system that will give us actionable data.鈥�
She also welcomed tests not just administered within Texas.
鈥淟et鈥檚 not be afraid,鈥� she said. 鈥淟et's challenge the status quo and compare ourselves to other states. That would be real growth.鈥�
She acknowledged that may not happen this session, but said she remains hopeful.
Bill Zeeble is 四虎影院鈥檚 education reporter. Got a tip? Email Bill at bzeeble@kera.org. You can follow him on X .
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