InvestEd TX is dedicated to five central tenets

1. Students First: Students are the future of Texas. We strive to support them in all that we do.

2. High Expectations & Equitable Opportunities for All: Every student in our state can and deserves to reach their full potential. Young Texans’ futures should not be determined by zip code, race, or income status.

3. Effective Educators in Every Classroom: Teachers are the most important in-school factor on student success. Great schools and successful students cannot exist without effective educators.

4. Strategic Investments that Incentivize Academic Milestones: Investing in evidence-based strategies for core academic skills can focus adult behavior toward improving student outcomes.

5. Local Innovation & Autonomy: Texas is large and diverse; a one-size-fits-all approach does not work here. Local stakeholders and school districts must lead the effort to build effective schools via quality policy implementation.

6. Decision Makers Empowered with Actionable Data: Appropriate access to timely education data allows Texans to maintain high expectations, evaluate progress toward shared goals, and provide targeted support when we aren’t meeting the bar.

In line with our central tenets, InvestEd TX supports

1. Equitable School Funding: Sustaining House Bill 3’s equitable and strategic investments in Texas schools is critical for the success of our state.

2. Assessments & Accountability: In addition to formative academic snapshots, valid, reliable, annual, and comparable summative assessments in core subjects enable decision makers (parents, school leaders, and policymakers) to identify opportunities and herald bright spots. Meaningful, fair, and transparent accountability systems (including reporting, ratings, and consequences) define excellence and spur continuous improvement. Both accountability and the assessment system within it must focus on core academic skills that research shows are critical to post-graduation success.

3. Attract, Prepare, Develop & Retain Effective and Diverse Educators: In a time where more teachers are leaving the profession, we must incentivize our best educators to stay in the classroom and set future teachers on a path toward successful careers in the field. With high-quality teacher preparation and data-driven continuing education, a diverse, effective teaching workforce can support high-quality instruction and strong student outcomes.

4. Innovation in Instructional Delivery and School Design: COVID-19 has changed the way Texans think about school and necessitated innovative solutions to ensure all students receive an excellent education. After years of disrupted learning, evidence-based accelerated learning strategies and workforce-aligned virtual education opportunities are tools that can support getting students back on track to graduate ready for college and career.

5. Postsecondary Readiness and Success: A student’s academic experience from prekindergarten through high school graduation should result in a college or career-ready transition and ultimately reach their potential. Evidence-based strategies should ensure all students have the opportunity to lead a productive, successful life.