Dickinson Independent School District

Dickinson ISD will equip and empower all learners with skills and experiences to achieve academic excellence and make meaningful contributions to our world.

Inclusive of all, Dickinson ISD will cultivate excellence, producing confident, collaborative, goal-driven learners who become empowered citizens in a global society.

Objective 1:

All students will learn and apply life skills to meaningfully engage and impact their community.

Objective 2:

All students will graduate college, career, and/or military ready.

Objective 3:

All students will develop the communication skills necessary to work in a collaborative environment.

Objective 4:

All students will learn to self-advocate by developing confidence in their ability to determine their own path for success.

Objective 5:

All students will develop innovative technological skills and interact responsibly in a constantly evolving global society.

Objective 6:

All students will demonstrate the ability to face adversity with perseverance, integrity, and leadership.

Objective 7:

All students will demonstrate social and emotional skills and model positive character traits.

Recognizing and accepting the individual differences of others creates a safe and equitable environment where all can thrive.
Developing character values is vital to success throughout life.
Perseverance, passion, resilience, and courage are essential for realizing one’s full potential.
Establishing and nurturing a culture of integrity through intentional leadership cultivates self-control, honesty, accountability, and responsibility.
Providing a safe and secure environment cultivates feelings of physical, emotional, and social safety which ensures the optimal opportunity for a successful educational experience.
High expectations for students, educators, parents, and community are the foundation for a healthy learning environment, promoting academic and personal achievement.
Providing rigorous and engaging learning experiences creates critical thinkers and innovative problem solvers.
Developing strong, respectful, and trusting relationships is foundational for success.
A wide range of experiences in school and beyond develops a well-rounded individual.
Interpersonal skills are essential to thrive in the classroom, workplace, and global society.
An engaged and collaborative community creates an enriching environment for student development and achievement, which benefits all.
Developing leadership capacity in all staff and students will allow them to compete in a global society.
Mental health is a core component of a healthy person, and as a school district, it is our responsibility to teach and model healthy coping mechanisms and provide mental health services when students or staff need them.
When we recognize and address challenges by providing opportunities and supports needed to overcome barriers, all members of the learning community will thrive.

Goal 1: DISD will provide effective teaching and learning experiences for all students that will result in continuous success.

Develop and implement effective Professional Learning Communities on all campuses in all grade levels
Provide curriculum that is strategically aligned and focused on essential standards
Develop a comprehensive assessment plan
Implement best practices to ensure quality instruction

Goal 2: DISD will provide a physically and emotionally safe, healthy, and equitable environment.

Expand the safety program to incorporate best practices and move beyond compliance
Foster students’ emotional safety through the development of positive relationships and school culture/climate
Enhance students’ physical health through instruction and district health services
Support the emotional health of students and staff through coordinated/streamlined services
Establish an advisory council to advocate for an equitable environment for all

Goal 3: DISD will make family and community partnerships a priority.

Provide parents access to various community resources
Expand the partnerships with local businesses and churches to support schools with various campus needs
Expand partnerships with area community colleges
Equip families with tools to enhance and extend learning at home

Goal 4: DISD will recruit, develop, and retain a diverse and effective staff committed to personal and professional growth focusing on student success.

Develop and maintain a recruitment pipeline with multiple sources to provide the district with diverse and qualified candidates to meet the staffing needs of the district
Provide high quality, job embedded professional development for all staff, which results in increased productivity and employee satisfaction
Provide all staff with a package of benefits and services that addresses personal and professional needs

Goal 5: DISD will provide operational services to support the success of student learning.

Build and maintain infrastructure connectivity for the district
Utilize district funds and resources in a fiscally responsible manner
Provide a safe, clean, and comfortable environment
Provide a foundation for the instructional day through food and nutrition services and transportation
Create safe educational spaces that promote effective teaching and learning

Click each image below to learn more about Dickinson ISD's profiles of a learner, educator, leader and high-quality instruction.

In August 2019, I stood before you at convocation and announced that a design team made up of teachers, students, administrators, parents, and community members would begin working in January 2020 to develop a comprehensive vision for learning and a strategic plan to ensure a culture of high performance that prepares students who are ready for the next grade level and ready for life beyond high school.

In January 2020, we started meeting bi-weekly in the evenings at the at the ESC. To begin our work, we studied multiple types of district data, and we read and analyzed Creating a New Vision for Public Education in Texas. This document was developed by the Public Education Visioning Institute. It was born from the work and ideas of thirty-five public school superintendents who came together as a community of learners to create a new vision for public education in Texas. Former DISD Superintendent, Leland Williams, is one of the 35 who were actively involved in the creation of this document. After studying data and research, we rolled up our sleeves, and the work began. By March 2020, we were well on our way; however, after our March meeting, COVID completely shut us down.

Determined to accomplish our goal, the Design Team began meeting via Zoom. The work for this plan requires a lot of interaction and collaboration, and at first, we were worried about an 80-person committee doing this work by Zoom. The conditions for which we had to operate did not hold us back. From September 2020 to March 2021, we met often, and the design team actively participated, sharing thoughts and ideas, collaborating, and reaching consensus. The Dickinson ISD Strategic Plan, our roadmap for the future, is now a reality. I am very proud of the Strategic Plan created and developed by the Design Team and supported and approved by the Board of Trustees, and I am extremely grateful to our consultant, Roz Keck from N2Learning, and to the many design team members who were committed to this work for over one year.

- Carla Voelkel, Dickinson ISD Superintendent