Murder-suicide ruled for Dallas teacher, STAAR reports, Fourth of July: Your Tuesday evening news roundup

Good evening. Here are some stories you may have missed today. [Good evening. Here are some stories you may have missed today.] July 04,  2017 By Tara Bryant Good evening! Here is a look at the top headlines of the day. 🔎 Prefer the online view? It's [here](. [Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument in southeastern New Mexico (Pam LeBlanc/Austin American-Statesman)]( Organ Mountains-Desert Peaks National Monument in southeastern New Mexico (Pam LeBlanc/Austin American-Statesman) Crime Murder-suicide ruled in deaths of North Dallas High teacher, husband found on New Mexico roadside A North Dallas High School teacher and her husband found dead Thursday in New Mexico were [killed in a murder-suicide](, state officials have ruled. Ursula Tammy Rhea Kokotkiewicz, who went by Tammy or Ms. K, and her husband, Jacob, both died from gunshot wounds to the head, according to the New Mexico Office of the Medical Investigator. A New Mexico State Police statement Tuesday did not specify which killed the other, but it said Jacob Kokotkiewicz, 31, was found with a 9 mm handgun between his legs in the driver's seat of a blue Dodge pickup stopped along the side of Interstate 40 about 30 miles outside Albuquerque, police said. And: Police have [identified the man arrested in a shooting]( that injured one person at a Far North Dallas hotel Monday afternoon. Also: A [passer-by found two men dead]( in an SUV that spun off a road and struck a tree near an east Oak Cliff park Tuesday morning. Advertisement This summer, the Texas education commissioner unveiled new STAAR reports aimed at making results from state tests more accessible to families. (File Photo/The Dallas Morning News) Education As STAAR results come in, new reports say more about where children are and where they go from here This summer, the Texas education commissioner has unveiled [new STAAR reports aimed at making results from state tests more accessible to families]( in a way that helps them understand exactly how their children are doing in school, what progress they’ve made and what they can do to further their academics. The new reports — starting to arrive in the mail — have self-explanatory labels for parents to better understand what their child’s performance level means for their education: "masters" grade level, "meets" grade level, "approaches" grade level and "does not meet" grade level. That’s much clearer than the previous labels, with categories like "Level II" and "Phase-In Level II," said Mike Morath, the Texas education commissioner. Morath said Texas is the first in the country to offer a report that does more than diagnose where children are struggling. It offers specific resources to help. Real estate: Yes, there's a great area in D-FW for [affordable homes with a decent commute]( out there. Health care: Why a North Texas hospital system [pays full fare to send its staff to nursing school]( Advertisement Piper Bartley, 5, center, samples watermelon during the Sparkman Club Estates July 4th Parade in Dallas, on Tuesday, July 4, 2017. (David Woo/Staff Photographer) Photo of the Day Still looking for activities to celebrate Independence Day? Check our [event list for fireworks, festivals and parades]( happening near you. Finally... Perfect attendance: In 52 years, Arlington resident hasn't missed a single 4th of July parade In 1965, Arlington resident Stan Dimmick decided to check out the city's inaugural 4th of July Parade at Randol Mill Park. The simple parade consisted mainly of kids in decorated bicycles strolling through the park. The venue has since changed, but Dimmick was again a spectator watching the parade through downtown Arlington. Too bad there's not a certificate for perfect attendance -- he [hasn't missed a single parade in 52 years](. "It's patriotic, it's something we like to do, and we've made it a family tradition," said Dimmick, wearing an American flag shirt. "Sometimes you see the same old people ... not old people, but same people." Advertisement 👋 That's all for this evening! For up-to-the-minute news and analysis, check out [DallasNews.com](. 💖 Share the love! If you like this newsletter, please [check out our other newsletters here](. 📧 Do you have feedback? Send your thoughts, questions, praise and corrections to [djansen@dallasnews.com](mailto:djansen@dallasnews.com?subject=Newsletter%20Feedback). STAY CONNECTED WITH US  [Facebook]( [Instagram]( [Twitter]( [LinkedIn]( [Tumblr]( [Google]( [Ello]( [Ello](  [OTHER NEWSLETTERS]( [SUBSCRIPTION OPTIONS]( [Unsubscribe](  |  [Manage Preferences](  |  [Privacy Policy](  |  [Contact](  |  [Advertise]( You received this message because you signed up for this Dallas Morning News newsletter or it was forwarded to you. Copyright 2017 - [The Dallas Morning News]( | [508 Young St., Dallas, TX 75202](#)