Communities promote excellence in education in schools

Viramontes' management and organizational expertise made him an ideal choice for transformation officer because Dallas Achieves contains more than 100 goals for the district.

"Dallas' future is significantly tied to how well our students are prepared for the future. To be part of the district's transformation is truly the highlight of my career," Viramontes said.

The plan calls for improving test scores, empowering principals to lead their campuses and challenging parents to become engaged in their children's education. To improve academics, the curriculum has been revamped and standardized across all schools. Campuses have more instructional expertise.

Low-performing schools have been staffed with new teachers and principals trained in the district's new curriculum and preferred teaching methods. Veteran teachers and principals are being paid bonuses to work in schools with the worst academic performance.

"All school districts in Texas are aware of the huge change in demographics. We have a much larger Hispanic student population than we did 10 years ago," said Jon Dahlander, a spokesman for the Dallas school district. "We have to change our curriculum and the way we teach. It's imperative if all school children are to have a solid chance of being prepared for college when they graduate from high school."

Likewise, communities all over Texas are taking cues from unacceptable student test scores, shifting demographics and other evidence-based data to revamp their school districts, said Chrys Dougherty, research director for the National Center for Educational Accountability, an Austin-based non-profit organization that promotes excellence in education.

"When Texas communities see evidence that shows there are better practices in another school district or in another state, they are very keen on implementing change," Dougherty said. "That is a trend we see all over the state. It's very encouraging."

Community involvement is vital if the initiative is to reach its full potential. Because the goals of Dallas Achieves were drafted by a 65-member community panel, there already is a broad base of support to ensure that Dallas becomes the nation's best urban district.

"Our first step was going to the community and asking for help in transforming the district," Dahlander said. "The community support is solid. I know it will stay that way. The community has high expectations of the Dallas school district."