ACADEMICS / PUBLIC EDUCATION SYSTEM

Registration
In order to register for kindergarten, children must five years of age on or before September 1 of the enrollment year. Newcomers will need to provide proof of residency in the form of a utility bill, rent receipt, or mortgage papers as well as the student’s social security card. Also helpful are transcripts from the previous school or contact information for the registrar at the last school attended.

All immunizations must be up to date and verified by physician signature. Required immunizations include oral polio vaccine; measles, mumps, and rubella; hepatitis B; and chicken pox unless documentation verifies that the child has had the disease. For more information on public education in Texas or answers to specific questions, contact your local school district or the Texas Education Agency:

Texas Education Agency
1701 North Congress Avenue
Austin 512-463-9734
https://tea.texas.gov/

Assessment & Testing
Several standardized aptitude and achievement tests are administered to students at different ages, from state-developed tests to the Iowa Test of Basic Skills. For answers to questions or statistics on a specific school district or school, contact:

Division of Student Assessment
512-463-9536
https://tea.texas.gov/student-assessment/testing/student-assessment-overview

Texas Essential Knowledge & Skills (TEKS)
https://tea.texas.gov/academics/curriculum-standards/teks/texas-essential-knowledge-and-skills

Dallas School Ratings
The Texas Education Agency has rated all school districts and their individual campuses based on test scores, attendance rates and dropout rates.  The following is the report for 2011.  Here’s how the ratings are determined:

EXEMPLARY: 90% of students passing in each TAKS subject with a high school completion rate of 95%
RECOGNIZED: 80% of students passing in each TAKS subject with a high school completion rate of 85%
ACCEPTABLE: 70% passing in reading, writing and social studies, 65% in math and 60% in science with a high school completion rate of 75%
UNACCEPTABLE: Below acceptable standards with a high school completion rate below 75%
NOT RATED: The State does not rate schools that serve only students in kindergarten and pre-kindergarten, some alternative education schools and some charter schools in their first year of operation.

Information & Referral

Educational Technology
https://tea.texas.gov/academics/learning-support-and-programs/technology-resources/educational-technology

Education Laws & Rules
https://tea.texas.gov/about-tea/laws-and-rules

School Data & Education Directory
https://tea.texas.gov/academics

Charter Schools
Charter schools are public schools organized and operated by individuals or groups rather than the state. These schools enjoy a significant amount of freedom to create innovations in educational and administrative practices. For more information about charter schools or a list of charter schools in your area, contact:

Division of Charter Schools
512-463-9575
https://tea.texas.gov/texas-schools/texas-schools-charter-schools/charter-schools

Magnet Schools
The magnet system focuses on a special interest curriculum while providing core academic courses that meet graduation requirements. For information on magnet schools in or near your area, contact your local school district.