Dallas Independent School District Artifacts

Click the links below to access tangible materials—such as templates and tools—that leaders in Dallas Independent School District created to guide their work.

These artifacts are organized around the four parts of Dallas' theory of action:

1. Sustainably transform supports and resources in consistently low-performing schools.
2. Launch "new" innovative programs in existing schools with strong instructional foundations.
3. Ensure students' equitable access to diverse, best-fit schools—especially low-income students and students living in neighborhoods with fewer school options.
4. Implement a tiered system of supports and autonomies for schools, based on performance and student needs.

Sustainably transform supports and resources in consistently low-performing schools.

#1: ACE Initiative Evaluation (2017-18 Abstract)

What is this? A summary of Dallas ISD’s evaluation of the impact of  the Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) initiative.

How can you use it? Learn more about how school turnaround in Dallas ISD is implemented and see metrics that the district uses to monitor progress and continuously improve the program.

Launch “new” innovative programs in existing schools with strong instructional foundations.

#2: Public School Choice Initiative Evaluation (2017-18 Abstract)

What is this? A summary of Dallas ISD’s evaluation of the impact of  the Public School Choice initiative.

How can you use it? Learn more about how school choice in Dallas ISD is implemented and see metrics that the district uses to monitor progress and continuously improve the program.

#3: Public School Choice Proposal Form

What is this? A proposal template for school leadership teams seeking to launch a Transformation or Innovation School in Dallas ISD.

How can you use it? Adapt Dallas ISD’s new school launch process and criteria to meet your district’s needs.

Ensure students’ equitable access to diverse, best-fit schools—especially low-income students and students living in neighborhoods with fewer school options.

#4: Board Policy on Racial Equity

What is this? A school board resolution articulating the district’s commitment to racial equity.

How can you use it? Share this example with your school board.

#5: Ignite Middle School Proposal

What is this? An example proposal for a new Transformation School in Dallas ISD.

How can you use it? Learn about how new school leadership teams in Dallas ISD identify equity opportunities and gaps in program availability to address.

#6: Integration as Innovation (Century Foundation Article)

What is this? A blog post about Dallas ISD’s efforts to increase socioeconomic diversity in their open-enrollment schools.

How can you use it? Learn more about specific student enrollment and assignment practices that can increase diversity.

#7: Policy Memo on a Weighted Lottery for Socioeconomic Status

What is this? A policy memo outlining the research and purpose behind pursuing more socioeconomically integrated schools via a weighted lottery system.

How can you use it? See the research base behind the positive impact of socioeconomic diversity on students and learn about how Dallas ISD implemented their weighted lottery.

Implement a tiered system of supports and autonomies for schools, based on performance and student needs.

#8: Theory of Action Playbook (2018-19)

What is this? Dallas ISD’s comprehensive theory of action for school support and accountability, and the tiered flexibilities and supports that schools receive from every central office department.

How can you use it? Use the playbook as a starting point for creating a theory of action in your district and defining the standards of service for various central office departments. 

Explore all case studies in the District at Work series

About This Series

The Districts at Work series of case studies shares specific examples of districts around the country that struggle with the same challenges as many urban systems—but are taking new approaches to school support and seeing exciting results.

Explore the Series