The Texas Promise
A Vision for Public Education
A renewed, educator-led vision for the future of Texas public schools—grounded in history, shaped by experience, and focused on what students need to thrive.
Public education has always been at the heart of Texas’ democratic promise. The Texas Promise: A Vision for Public Education brings together the collective wisdom of nearly 100 education leaders to articulate a bold, values-driven framework for learning, leadership, accountability, and partnership in today’s schools.
2006–2008
A Question That Sparked Change
In 2006, Texas superintendents gathered to ask a simple but powerful question: What are we for? Their work led to Creating a New Vision for Public Education in Texas, a landmark educator-driven framework modeled after the Declaration of Independence.
Two Decades of Impact
A Framework That Shaped Practice
The original vision informed legislative conversations, district innovation, and the development of learning networks that advanced deeper learning, balanced accountability, and local leadership.
2025-2026 Refresh
A Vision Renewed
In response to today’s realities, TASA convened nearly 100 leaders to refresh and expand the vision. The Texas Promise: A Vision for Public Education honors the original work while offering a forward-looking framework for today’s students and schools.
Why This Vision Matters Now
Texas public education stands at a crossroads. As schools navigate evolving expectations, increasing complexity, and shifting policy landscapes, there is a renewed need to center decisions on what truly matters for students, educators, and communities.
The Texas Promise: A Vision for Public Education reflects a shared commitment to honoring the foundational role of public education while reimagining how schools cultivate excellence, foster belonging, and prepare students for life beyond graduation. This vision is not prescriptive—it is aspirational, offering guidance for continuous growth grounded in trust, professionalism, and local leadership.
The Seven Articles of The Texas Promise
Organizations That Cultivate Excellence
Empowered people, purposeful innovation, and shared leadership grounded in trust.
Aligned & Impactful Learning Standards
High expectations, coherent curriculum, and thoughtful resource curation.
Designing Profound Learning Experiences
Teachers as designers, student agency, and deep, connected learning.
Assessment for Learning
Purposeful feedback, multiple measures, and student ownership of growth.
Accountability for Learning
Shared responsibility, holistic measures, and preparation for life beyond school.
Safety, Wellness & Belonging
Physically and emotionally secure schools that support the whole child.
Partnering for the Future of Texas Students
Strong state–local partnerships, family engagement, and workforce alignment.
A Vision Articulated by Educators
This vision reflects approximately 2,500 years of collective service in Texas public schools. Superintendents, district leaders, and education partners from communities of every size contributed their expertise, experience, and care.
Their voices are not definitive answers—but an invitation to continue a shared conversation about how Texas can best serve its children today and into the future.
Visioning Refresh Facilitators
- Roz Keck — Founding Partner, N2 Learning
- Eddie Coulson — Partner, N2 Learning
Visioning Refresh Co-Chairs
- Dana Bashara — Superintendent, Alamo Heights ISD ESC 20
- Tory Hill — Superintendent, Channelview ISD ESC 4
Visioning Refresh Writing Team
- Frank Alfaro — Asst. Superintendent for Administrative Services, Alamo Heights ISD ESC 20
- Bryan Allen — Superintendent, Clyde CISD ESC 14
- Laurelyn Arterbury — Superintendent, New Braunfels ISD ESC 20
- Dwaine Augustine — Superintendent, Hamshire-Fannett ISD ESC 5
- Kirby Basham — Superintendent, Grandview ISD ESC 11
- Dana Bashara — Superintendent, Alamo Heights ISD ESC 20
- Sandra Beilue — Director of Curriculum and Accountability, Lubbock-Cooper ISD ESC 17
- Sanée Bell — Assistant Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Katy ISD ESC
- Sheri Blankenship — Deputy Executive Director, Texas Association of Community Schools (TACS)
- Jo Ann Bludau — Superintendent, Hallettsville ISD ESC 3
- Sarah Borowicz — Superintendent, Anderson-Shiro CISD ESC 6
- Robert Bostic — Superintendent, Stafford Municipal School District ESC 4
- Stacey Brister — Superintendent, Little Cypress-Mauriceville CISD ESC 5
- Greg Brown — Superintendent, Perryton ISD ESC 16
- Angela Brown — Chief Communications Officer, Coppell ISD ESC 10
- Doug Brubaker — Superintendent, Texarkana ISD ESC 8
- James Bryant — Superintendent, Plemons-Stinnett-Phillips CISD ESC 16
- Brian Bymaster — Superintendent, Bland ISD ESC 10
- Dustin Carr — Superintendent, Sulphur Bluff ISD ESC 8
- John Chapman — Superintendent, Comal ISD ESC 20
- Jennifer Collins — Deputy Superintendent, Arlington ISD ESC 11
- Hector Dominguez — Superintendent, Runge ISD ESC 3
- Mark Estrada — Superintendent, Lockhart ISD ESC 13
- Travis Fanning — Superintendent, Beeville ISD ESC 2
- Angela Fitzpatrick — Superintendent, Karnack ISD ESC 7
- Kimberly Followwell — Superintendent, Murchison ISD ESC 7
- Carnelius Gilder — Superintendent, West Sabine ISD ESC 7
- LaTonya Goffney — Superintendent, Aldine ISD ESC 4
- René Gutiérrez — Superintendent, McAllen ISD ESC 1
- Darol Hail — Superintendent, New Waverly ISD ESC 6
- Scott Harrell — Superintendent, Sudan ISD ESC 17
- Melissa Harvey — Principal, Royse City ISD ESC 10
- Roland Hernandez — Superintendent, Corpus Christi ISD ESC 2
- Tory Hill — Superintendent, Channelview ISD ESC 4
- Jerry Hollingsworth — Superintendent, Eagle Mountain-Saginaw ISD ESC 11
- Walter Jackson — Superintendent, La Porte ISD ESC 4
- Katie Kordel — Superintendent, Lovejoy ISD ESC 10
- Donny Lee — Superintendent, Wichita Falls ISD ESC 9
- Jason Marshall — Superintendent, Palestine ISD ESC 7
- Michelle McCord — Superintendent, Frenship ISD ESC 17
- Jason McCullough — Superintendent, Mount Vernon ISD ESC 8
- Sharon McKinney — Superintendent, Port Aransas ISD ESC 2
- Jeannie Meza-Chavez — Superintendent, San Elizario ISD ESC 19
- Christopher Moran — Superintendent, San Angelo ISD ESC 15
- Jenifer Neatherlin — Superintendent, Hutto ISD ESC 13
- Tyisha Nelson — Sr. Exec. Dir. of Federal Programs and Strategic Initiatives, Royse City ISD ESC 10
- Roosevelt Nivens — Superintendent, Lamar CISD ESC 4
- Michael Novotny — Superintendent, Salado ISD ESC 12
- Michael O’Malley — Dean, College of Education, Texas State University
- Bobby Ott — Superintendent, Temple ISD ESC 12
- Megan Pape — Superintendent, Royal ISD ESC 4
- Molley Perry — Superintendent, Smithville ISD ESC 13
- Hugh Piatt — Superintendent, Pampa ISD ESC 16
- Nicole Poenitzsch — Superintendent, Bellville ISD ESC 6
- Michelle Rinehart — Superintendent, Alpine ISD ESC 18
- Burnie Roper — Superintendent, Lackland ISD ESC 20
- Jana Rueter — Superintendent, Elgin ISD ESC 13
- Alejos Salazar — Superintendent, Lasara ISD ESC 1
- Gonzalo Salazar — Superintendent, Los Fresnos CISD ESC 1
- Martha Salazar-Zamora — Superintendent, Tomball ISD ESC 4
- Macy Satterwhite — Deputy Superintendent, Lubbock-Cooper ISD ESC 17
- Diana Sayavedra — Superintendent, El Paso ISD ESC 19
- Shelly Slaughter — Superintendent, Cumby ISD ESC 8
- Steven Snell — Superintendent, Liberty Hill ISD ESC 13
- Tiffany Spicer — Superintendent, Waco ISD ESC 12
- Lorie Squalls — Chief Academic Officer, Royse City ISD ESC 10
- Ricky Stephens — Superintendent, Keene ISD ESC 11
- DesMontes Stewart — Superintendent, Gainesville ISD ESC 11
- Jeremy Thompson — Deputy Superintendent, Denton ISD ESC 11
- Roland Toscano — Superintendent, East Central ISD ESC 20
- Rachel Trotter — Chief of Staff, Prosper ISD ESC 10
- Amy Tutle — Executive Director of Student and Staff Services, Sunnyvale ISD ESC 10
- John Villarreal — Superintendent, Rockwall ISD ESC 10
- Jimmie Walker — Assistant Superintendent, Alamo Heights ISD ESC 20
- Georgeanne Warnock — Superintendent, Terrell ISD ESC 10
- Jeremy Williams — Superintendent, Eastland ISD ESC 14
- Taylor Williams — Superintendent, Decatur ISD ESC 11
- Lisa Wilson — Deputy Superintendent, Plano ISD ESC 10
The Texas Promise One Pager
This one-page summary reflects the shared commitments articulated in The Texas Promise: A Vision for Public Education. It captures the core ideas of the document in a concise form, grounded in the belief that public education is a responsibility carried collectively and over time.
Putting the Vision to Work
For School Leaders
Use the framework to guide strategic planning, leadership development, and system alignment.
For Educators
Reflect on instructional practice, learning design, assessment, and student engagement.
For Communities & Partners
Support shared understanding, collaboration, and advocacy grounded in common values.
A Shared Commitment to Texas Students
The Texas Promise: A Vision for Public Education articulates shared beliefs about the purpose of public education in Texas and the responsibilities that accompany that work. It reflects the professional judgment of educators and leaders who understand the complexity of serving students and communities across the state.
This document is intended to be read, discussed, and used as a point of reference as leaders set direction, align priorities, and make decisions that shape learning, accountability, and partnership in service of students.
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