Awards and Honors

Dallas ISD has improved more than any other urban district in Texas and more than all but one urban district in the country in narrowing the achievement gap, according to a study by The Brown Center on Education Policy at the Brookings Institution in Washington, D.C. The study examined state test scores and demographic information-including race/ethnicity and percentage of disadvantaged students of 37 urban districts to determine how big-city school districts fared compared to suburban and rural districts.

James B. Bonham Elementary School is among only 12 schools nationwide to receive the National Center for Urban Transformation's National Excellence in Urban Education Award. To be eligible for the award, urban schools are required to meet 11 rigorous criteria in the areas of proficiency rates on state assessments, high achievement and low suspension and expulsion rates for all demographic groups, high attendance and graduation rates, attainment of No Child Left Behind adequate yearly progress, and other indicators of academic excellence. William L. Cabell Elementary School is among 18 schools named to the NCUST 2009 Honor Roll.

Melanie Pinales, an eighth-grader at Henry W. Longfellow Career Exploration Academy, was named a 2009 Global Young Entrepreneur by the National Foundation for Teaching Entrepreneurship and sponsored by Goldman Sachs. Pinales and her mother received an all-expense paid trip to New York to attend the organization’s annual award celebration and showcase her business, Flip Flip Fantasy, which markets custom flip flops.

LaDontae Moore, a student at César Chávez Learning Center, was one of only 27 fifth-graders from 14 cities across the U.S. to fly to New York City to participate in the America SCORES National Poetry Slam. Moore will take the stage at the New York Stock Exchange to perform his original poetry at the event hosted by America SCORES, a nonprofit organization that uses soccer, writing, and creative expression to empower students in urban communities.

Students from the School for the Talented and Gifted at Yvonne A. Ewell Townview Center were recently honored with scholarships and awards for outstanding accomplishments at the 66th Pan American Student Forum of Texas State Convention. Students who received honors are: Karen Carrasco, Britni Cuington, Devan Earle, K.C. Escanilla, Laura Montalvo, Kayla Moore, Genesis Morales, Jose Moreno, Ariel Ostrom, Sonal Patel, James Ramsey, Shanet Stefanos, and Alison Whitten. Adriana Rodriguez and Cynthia Salinas from the School of Business and Management at Townview Center also were recognized for their participation. Sponsor Erik Buchanan was chosen to serve as the Pan American Student Forum of Texas State Director for 2009-2011.

Taylor Waller and Juwan Frye, second-graders at Sequoyah Learning Center were state finalists in the 21st Annual Geography Awareness Week Poster Contest sponsored by the Texas Alliance for Geographic Education. This year’s contest theme was Mapping the Americas: Exploring People, Places, Environment, Culture, and Landscape.

Bart Marantz, director of jazz studies at Booker T. Washington High School for the Performing and Visual Arts, was featured on the cover of the November issue of JAZZed magazine, a magazine of practical ideas and techniques for jazz educators. The article explores Marantz’s role in shaping the future of jazz for nearly three decades as a scholar, performer, and teacher of jazz.

Hector Flores, director – Intergovernmental Relations, received the Community Hero Award from the Texas Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents for his positive impact on education, governmental relations, and his community. Flores is the first recipient of this award.