Dallas Independent School District

Dallas Independent School District

Innovation, tenacity, vision and equity are key drivers that have shaped Dallas ISD, the 16th largest school district in America, into one of the area’s most prominent and forward-looking school districts. Faced with numerous, complex challenges associated with inner-city areas, DISD relies on the EMS team to help them problem-solve and develop game-changing, powerful college and career solutions for their students. To improve college readiness, DISD built capacity to include CR coordinators at each of the district’s 36 high schools, then employed deep student case management data and tools to enable real-time interventions and accountability. Recently, for example, they connected case management to financial aid and TSI testing data, enabling streamlined communication, weekly tracking of financial aid submissions and progress monitor, by campus, students who had completed TSI. Similarly, these case management tools have been used to automate career pathway maps, using the technology to keep students on track with their goals. Now, the team is looking at using case management to provide real-time-tracking of associate degree attainment. Data and tools, however, are not an end unto themselves, they are part of strategic, comprehensive plans and help DISD case manage each student to achieve better and more equitable college and career outcomes.

 

Results

  • Dramatic gains in financial aid completion, associate degree completion, and college enrollment
  • In the midst of the Pandemic, DISD exceeded the goal for financial aid completion, achieving 69% completion (goal was 65%)