Together, these guiding principles will anchor our state-level policy agenda—ensuring every student has access to an excellent, equitable, and future-ready public education, no matter where they live or how they learn.

A child’s academic foundation plays a critical role in their long-term success. Children who can successfully read on grade level by 3rd grade are 4x more likely to graduate from high school - a life-changing statistic for all students, but especially for students facing extreme poverty. As a precursor, access to Pre-K has a substantial effect on both kindergarten readiness and third grade achievement, and kindergarten readiness is a key indicator of long-term outcomes, such as college enrollment, wages and earnings, and even home ownership. Furthermore, when students fall behind after third grade, they are not likely to catch up. When children showcase an early mastery of literacy and mathematics, they are set with a foundation to prepare them for the rest of their academic, professional, and personal lives. To that end, we support policies that strengthen students’ early achievement, ensuring all Texas children have access to high-quality PreK-3 classrooms.

It is estimated that Texas will add 2.1 million jobs by 2032 (a 14% increase from 2022), and that over 70% of this growth will require education and training beyond high school graduation, particularly for STEM-related industries. Considering that only 37% of Texas graduates end up earning any credential in six years after high school, Texas has an urgent need to streamline pathways for students to access these high-demand, high-wage jobs. We support policies that will increase credential attainment, such as access to and improvement of advanced coursework, college and career advising, career and technical education, math achievement, and course credit transferability and applicability.

Texas public schools are financially struggling. Public funding has failed to keep pace with rapidly rising costs associated with teacher salaries and benefits, facilities and infrastructure, transportation, and student needs. At the same time, external metrics such as low fertility rates and decreased migration have decreased overall student enrollment, which is likely to continue to trend downwards over the coming years. Together, these financial pressures have resulted in many districts passing deficit budgets, closing schools, and reducing staff - difficult decisions that can negatively impact students, their families, and entire communities. We support policies that help districts financially stabilize, strategically plan long-term, and provide the best public education for families. This includes broad increases to and protection of public funding for public schools, resource-specific funding for evidence-based practices, and best practices for districts to grapple with a rapidly changing external environment.

When families, district leaders, and state policymakers have insight into how students are faring, they can make substantial adjustments to improve student growth and achievement. A strong, supportive, and fair assessment and accountability system benefits our most vulnerable and struggling students - spotlighting gaps in performance that might otherwise go unnoticed - and encourages leaders to target resources to support them. Considering Black, Hispanic, and economically disadvantaged students are academically trailing behind their white and non eco-dis peers, Texas must remain vigilant in getting these students the support they need. We support policies that ensure assessments are instructionally supportive, transparent, and rigorous; that accountability systems are outcomes-focused, fair, and meaningful; that school improvement initiatives are prioritized, well-funded, and monitored; and that school leaders, including governing boards, superintendents, and campus leaders, are equipped to interpret results and make timely decisions that lift the academic achievement of all students.

There exists no greater factor for student success than a student’s classroom teacher. A well-prepared classroom teacher can equate to several months of achievement gains. Additionally, teachers who can access higher salaries, are supported by their administration, and report greater job satisfaction are more likely to stay in the profession. We support policies that strengthen our teacher workforce, such as investments in preservice training and teacher residency programs, strategic compensation increases, strategic staffing initiatives, leadership development, and other initiatives proven to improve job satisfaction, retention, and student outcome growth.

Not every child thrives in the same environment. Varying student and family needs mean that some students might best succeed in a different setting outside of a traditional classroom. Research indicates that students who are Black, Hispanic, and economically disadvantaged and enrolled in public charter schools advance more than their peers in reading and math. Additionally, in this rapidly changing environment, both traditional and nontraditional public schools need some degree of flexibility to innovate, retain families, and make decisions to best serve their unique student population. We support policies that encourage innovation and equitable access to public school choice, such as public charter schools, district-run magnet programs, career academies, virtual education, and open-enrollment. Conversely, we oppose private school vouchers as they divert public funds away from public schools, further limiting access to public options for families.

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Center for Strong Public Schools is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. We do not endorse or oppose any candidates for public office. Contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law.