DeSoto Independent School District (DeSoto ISD) is proud to announce promising preliminary results from the Texas Education Agency’s (TEA) End-of-Course (EOC) exams, showing notable academic progress across nearly all subjects. These gains place DeSoto ISD among the top-performing districts in Dallas County, reflecting the district’s strong focus on foundational learning, innovative STEM initiatives, and intentional instructional design.
This year, DeSoto ISD had major growth in STAAR performance, standing out across Texas for strong academic gains in this year’s STAAR results inclusive of a 12% in 3rd Grade Reading and a 16% gain in 3rd Grade Math.
These results reflect the district’s commitment to listening to teachers, engaging families, and putting student needs first.
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DeSoto saw some solid growth in four of the five end-of-course assessment subjects:
- Algebra I: DeSoto ISD improved meets rates.
- English I: DeSoto ISD maintained steady performance.
- English II: DeSoto ISD was the only district across Dallas County reporting a 5-percentage point increase in Meets rates.
- Biology: DeSoto ISD improved meets rates.
- US History: DeSoto ISD maintained steady performance while initiating some gains.
Dr. Usamah Rodgers, Superintendent of Schools at DeSoto ISD, stated,
“We’re incredibly proud of the academic gains DeSoto ISD students have made, particularly in third grade reading and math. A 12-point increase in reading and a 16-point jump in math are not just statistics—they represent real progress in foundational skills that set students up for long-term success. This growth is a testament to the hard work of our educators, students, and families, and to the clear, focused direction of our Board of Trustees.”
A District-wide Commitment to Excellence and Innovation
DeSoto ISD attributes these gains to strategic investments including:
- High-quality instructional materials aligned with the latest research and state standards.
- Strong pre-K enrollment and early learning initiatives, supported by statewide programs like Reading Academies.
- Focused STEM programming, boosted by a recent $1.7 million grant from the TI Foundation and Educate Texas, and over $200,000 from Burns and McDonnell. These funds support the launch and expansion of STEM pathways—including cybersecurity, construction, and healthcare—in partnership with industry leaders.
- The development of a districtwide STEM Center designed to foster critical and creative thinking skills and increase scholars’ access to STEM education, programming and resources.
- An intentional use of technology and computer-based learning tools to mirror real-world skills and the increasing digital focus of STAAR assessments.
Stephanie McCloud, Chief Academic Officer, remarked, “Our success didn’t happen by chance. It came from a deliberate investment in early learning, beginning with strong pre-K enrollment and the strategic implementation of high-quality instructional materials. Additionally, we’ve benefited from the state’s Reading Academies, which equipped our educators with research-based tools to teach literacy more effectively. Our Board’s unwavering commitment to student outcomes has helped keep our entire system aligned and focused on what matters most—student learning.”
Looking Ahead: Building on Momentum
While celebrating these gains, DeSoto ISD remains focused on continuous improvement. Dr. Rodgers emphasized, “While we’re proud of our progress, we know the work isn’t done. Our next steps include deepening support through partnerships and grants extended to the district like the $1.7 million we recently received from the TI Foundation and Educate Texas towards the expansion of STEM education in DeSoto ISD and our focus on the middle grades where statewide growth has been slower, expanding high-dosage tutoring and intervention programs, and continuing to invest in professional development for our educators. We’ll also be using our data to identify gaps and adjust quickly to ensure every student is on a path to success.”