Education

Poor Performing Dallas Schools Could Be Closed

DALLAS (CBS 11 News) ― The largest teachers organization in Dallas is claiming that jobs are on the line because the state is trying to privatize public schools. This controversy stems from poorly performing schools in the Dallas Independent School District.

Pink slips were already given to 25 Dallas teachers last month. More could be getting them within the next two years if the state takes action.

Mary Strickland is a veteran Dallas teacher who feels overwhelmed and undervalued by the entire situation. "We need someone to teach us how to teach the new generation," she explained. Strickland could now lose her job because of classrooms stocked with low performing and underachieving students.

It is called 'reconstitution' and 10 schools in Dallas face it due to the state's "Academically Unacceptable" label. The state has the option of reorganizing the schools, shutting them down completely or turning them over to private firms.

Strickland's union is fighting back. "If you're pointing fingers at teachers and you're saying we're going to outsource your schools to alternative management, we're saying hold on," said Aimee Bolender of Alliance AFT. "There's a bigger story here and you better deal with it, because outsourcing to private management is not going to make the difference."

Hobie Hukill is another Dallas teacher. "We're not the problem," she said. "We're being scapegoated. That is our issue."

In the past, the Dallas ISD contracted with the private firm Edison Schools to operate six campuses, but the contract was not renewed. Now, state law is requiring the use of outside management for those schools with lingering low performance.

Strickland said that their job is not as easy as the state may think. "We have to deal with the kids everyday, and most days, it's not pretty," she said.

A school district spokesman told CBS 11 News that the DISD will presenting a plan to the Texas Education Agency on March 19, in order to keep the state from taking any action against the schools.

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