Dallas ISD making big changes as 2026-27 school year begins

It's that time of year again, with students at Dallas ISD schools returning to class for the 2026-27 school year.Dallas ISD first day of classToday is the first day of school for nearly 130,000 students in Dallas ISD, and it comes with notable changes across the district.The district is starting a new student badge system, with each student's ID now including services for transportation, meals, library checkouts and athletic events in the district.Dallas ISD is also making Pre-K services for three-year-old and four-year-old students free, regardless of the family's income. Previously, those services were only offered to students with a family income below a certain level.District leaders hope the program will help increase enrollment. Last year, Dallas ISD saw a decline in enrollment after seeing a rise the previous school year."We are prepared to receive as many students as come through our doors," Dallas ISD Superintendent Dr. Stephanie Elizalde said Tuesday morning.Hexter Elementary