Progress and Possibilities for Texas Students: The 2025 Texas Impact Network Annual Report

Five years ago, the Texas Impact Network was launched as a joint venture between Educate Texas and the Commit Partnership with a core belief: passing strong policy is only the beginning. Change happens when that policy is put into practice effectively in schools and programs.

In 2019, House Bill 3 opened the door for Texas school systems to innovate through three student-centered policies: the Teacher Incentive Allotment, the Additional Days School Year initiative, and the College, Career, and Military Readiness Outcomes Bonus. Over the past five years, we have worked alongside districts putting these into practice by offering tailored support, fostering collaboration, and developing successful models that scale.

These efforts established educational reforms that are improving student outcomes in Texas. School systems are sustaining strategies that improve teacher retention, expand learning time, and channel new funding toward student success. As we graduate from our formal support in these areas, we do so with confidence that these policy reforms are strong and the path forward is clear for others to follow.

That has always been the goal: to provide time-bound implementation support for policies designed to be self-sustaining.

Our collective team at Commit and Educate Texas is incredibly proud that these initiatives have matured to the point where they are embedded in local practice and policy—continuing to drive student outcomes.

Looking forward, a new chapter is underway, shaped by recent action from the 88th and 89th Texas Legislatures. House Bill 8 (88R) expands access to dual credit pathways that connect students to college and the workforce. House Bill 2209 (88R) created the Rural Pathways in Excellence Partnership (R-PEP), enabling small and rural districts to collaborate and offer more options to their students. And House Bill 2 (89R) is reshaping teacher compensation, certification, and staffing models to better serve students.

These policies continue the work of House Bill 3 (86R), and as before, their success depends on effective support. The Texas Impact Network will focus on helping districts make the most of these new opportunities through three new strategic priorities: Quality Pathways, R-PEP implementation, and Strategic Staffing, with additional support for implementation of House Bill 2.

We remain committed to turning strong policy into results that matter for Texas students, especially those who have been historically underserved. We are deeply grateful to the school systems, educators, regional partners, and policymakers who continue to drive this work forward. Together, we are building a foundation for progress that will endure.

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With appreciation,

Kerri Briggs, Ph.D., Executive Director, Educate Texas

Todd Williams, Founder and CEO, The Commit Partnership

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