DeSoto ISD is a Growing Minority Majority District and Raising the Bar on Magnet and Innovative Curriculum Standards in the City of Dallas

    DESOTO, TX, January 09, 2018 /24-7PressRelease/ -- With millions in support from The Department of Education Magnet School Assistance Program, DeSoto ISD, a growing minority majority district is raising the bar on magnet and innovative curriculum standards in the city of Dallas.

In October 2017, DeSoto ISD announced receipt of a $15 million grant from the United States Department of Education Magnet Schools Assistance Program. "The Academies for Academic Enhancement and Excellence" project or A2E2, is designed to support the development of magnet and innovative programs throughout the district in addition to diversification of the district's student population. A true district of innovation, DeSoto ISD's mission is clear: prepare students to be astute, both academically and socially, by providing curriculum options that cultivate students into critical thinkers, problem solvers and high performing productive citizens.

A majority-minority district, DeSoto ISD's student population is comprised of 9,800 students -- of which 77 percent are African American, 17 percent are Latino and 3.4 percent are Anglo.

A2E2 seeks to encourage greater diversity among district students with the goal of enriching student learning experiences, cultural interaction, engagement and cultural awareness with the goal of providing educational experiences that are as diverse and globally-focused as the world around the students DeSoto ISD serves.

"DeSoto ISD dedicated lots of time and energy to obtaining this grant with the goal of ensuring that the district continues to forge ahead in creating an environment that reflects the world around us," said DeSoto ISD Executive Director of Magnets and Innovative Programs and A2E2 Program.

Director Debbye L. Garner. "As a district, we are diligent in addressing areas in which we can grow and improve and this grant is a huge step in moving our work from concept to fruition."

In an effort to support the elimination and prevention of minority group isolation in elementary and secondary schools, DeSoto ISD projects like A2E2 support the development and implementation of innovative magnet curriculum and provide students with the opportunity to engage in challenging academic content and even more challenging achievement standards.

Several variables play into the distinctiveness of DeSoto ISD: district grant-funded initiatives such as A2E2, LETS GEAR UP, and iSTEAM3D provide tech-rich and curriculum-supported resources to enhance student learning and teacher development and support. Through these initiatives, DeSoto ISD provides ongoing professional development and enrichment opportunities supporting the district's ability to provide high-level curriculum and performance quotas well after funding ends through well-designed, long-sustainable, innovative magnet course instruction that strengthens student knowledge of core academic subjects in addition to student-exposure to specialized, marketable vocational skills in the district's K-12 magnet program structure.

With professional partners like The College Board, Texas Instruments, Vernier Technologies, the University of North Texas, and the EGT Institute along with roughly $2.5 million per year over the course of five years going towards magnet curriculum at seven DeSoto ISD campuses, DeSoto ISD is poised to raise educational standards in the city of Dallas.

About DeSoto ISD:
DeSoto ISD is a public independent school district located 15 miles south of downtown Dallas serving more than 9,800 students and 1,200 employees across 13 campuses and uniquely offers rigorous magnet and innovative curriculum from Kindergarten to grade 12.

How can families enroll in DeSoto ISD?
Students and families may apply for a DeSoto ISD magnet program
at www.DeSotoISD.org/MagnetApplication through January 31, 2018. Or families may also apply for admission consideration through "Selective Enrollment" anytime, year round
at www.DeSotoISD.org/SelectiveEnrollment.

For more information about DeSoto ISD, visit www.desotoisd.org.

In partnership with Project Lead the Way, the College Board, Texas Instruments, Vernier Technologies, the University of North Texas, SureScore, Agile Minds and the EGT Institute, the district will receive roughly $2.5 million per year over the course of five years towards magnet programs serving students in grades K through 12 at seven DeSoto ISD campuses, which include:

- Frank D. Moates Blended Learning Magnet Academy Elementary
- Woodridge Fine Arts Magnet Academy Elementary
- Ruby Young Medical and Environmental Sciences Magnet Academy Elementary - DeSoto East Medical Magnet Academy Middle School
- Curtistene S. McCowan Fine Arts Magnet Academy Middle School
- DeSoto High School

MEDIA CONTACTS
Tiffanie Blackmon-Jones
Director of Communications
972-233-6666 x. 8414
[email protected]

Debbye Garner
Executive Director of Innovative Programs
972-274-8212 x. 322
[email protected]

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