Vision, Beliefs, and Commitments

Vision

To be the best urban district in the United States.

Theory of Action

At its regular meeting in March 2008, the board approved as part of board policy AEA (local) a theory of action for achieving the mission of creating the best urban school district in the United States that educates and graduates students who are college and workforce ready. The theory of action provides a framework to align district goals, strategic plans, policies, budgets, and administrative actions to transform the Dallas ISD’s culture and result in sustained high student achievement and the closing of achievement gaps between and among student groups. To implement the board’s theory of action, the superintendent of schools will develop procedures and practices in accordance with the theory of action of managed instruction with earned empowerment. Managed instruction with earned empowerment districts begin with standards (academic content, graduation/promotion, business process), tight accountability systems, centralized formative and summative assessments, and data management and data-driven decision-making systems.

Core Beliefs:

• We believe that every student can perform at or above grade level and graduate college and workforce ready to compete in the global economy;
• We believe that educators have the most powerful impact on student achievement;
• We believe that educational equity and excellence will eliminate the achievement gap;
• We believe that every student must be educated in a safe, welcoming, effective and innovative learning environment;
• We believe our school district must be a model for sound fiscal responsibility and integrity;
• We believe that engaged parents and guardians impact a student’s academic and personal development and;
• We believe that a supportive community is fundamental to achieving and sustaining our success.

Commitments: 

• We believe that every student can perform at or above grade level and graduate college and workforce ready to compete in the global economy; therefore we commit to:
• Support the learning conditions and provide the resources needed for all students to reach high academic levels.
• Setting college readiness as the standard pre-K-12 for all students.

• We believe that educators have the most powerful impact on student achievement; therefore we commit to:
• Support the efforts to recruit, retain and reward highly effective teachers and principals to ensure that students have access to expert instruction.
• Allocate the resources needed to equip principals and teachers with the skills to provide effective leadership and instruction that results in student achievement.

• We believe that educational equity and excellence will eliminate the achievement gap; therefore we commit to:
• Provide all students with equal access to a rigorous and challenging academic curriculum
• Promote an educational system that supports targeted effort toward academically rigorous learning for all students and student groups.
• Allocate the necessary resources to ensure equitable access to rigorous learning, thus eliminating the achievement gap.

• We believe that every student must be educated in a safe, welcoming, effective and innovative learning environment; therefore we commit to:
• Provide for safe and secure learning environments that support civility, respect, and academic achievement of all students.
• Adopt a code of conduct and ensure policies and procedures are followed.

• We believe our school district must be a model for integrity and fiscal responsibility; therefore we commit to:
  • Support staff training on the ethical practices and the investigation of all reported ethical issues.
  • Adopt sound legal and fiscal policies governing the management of the district.
  • Require and monitor fiscal controls and hold all staff, vendors and contractors accountable.

• We believe that engaged parents and guardians impact a student’s academic and personal development; therefore we commit to:
  • Support programs that inform and engage parents in the academic and social development of their children (students).
  • Adopt a framework for public school parental choice at the secondary level.

• We believe that a supportive community is fundamental to achieving and sustaining our success; therefore we commit to:
  • Support partnerships with community, business, civic and faith-based organizations for achieving excellence.
  • Engage the community’s support in achieving the district’s vision.