The Career and Technical Association of Texas, known as CTAT, has named Rockwall ISD a “District of Distinction” for the third year in a row. CTAT, founded in 1999, bases its selections on criteria that include leadership, innovation and measurable student success.
The district's career and technical education, or CTE, students take part in hands-on learning. Veterinary science students recently held a dog grooming day to practice safe animal handling. The district also runs a “Grow Your Own Teacher” practicum, in which students work as elementary school teachers' aides. In May, six seniors finished the program before going on to pursue education degrees in college.
Individual district programs have also won awards. Last spring, Rockwall ISD culinary arts students won three first-place awards at the Texas ProStart Invitational competition.