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Frequently Asked Questions
What is The Texas Institute?
The Texas Institute is an annual
education event held from Friday to Monday for newly elected
board members of Texas’ largest school districts. It is an
induction program for Texas school board members who wish to
become effective reform leaders. The Texas Institute is a
project of the Center for Reform of School Systems, a
not-for-profit Texas corporation in Houston.
What is Reform Leadership?
Reform
leaders are board members who believe that school districts must
educate all children to achieve at high levels. They
accept responsibility for student achievement. Reform leaders know they
are public servants who must master the art of effective
governance and provide leadership for the development of a bold
reform agenda.
Who gets invited?
Board members who are elected
for the first time from 43 of the largest districts in Texas are invited. All superintendents from participating districts are welcome. Some will be invited as presenters.
How does The Texas Institute differ from training provided by other organizations?
The Texas Association of School Boards provides excellent training in the governance process and state requirements. Some private consultants provide first-rate training in policy governance. The Texas Institute is focused on reform leadership. The goal is good governance and the theory and practice of reform leadership. The Texas Institute defines effective governance by its results: all children learning at high levels.
What is the curriculum?
Learning is by case studies,
scenarios, large and small group discussions, and
presentations. Case studies are about Texas districts and are
modeled after the business case model used at the Harvard
Business School. The curriculum is organized around four
themes: governance, politics, whole systems change and theories
of action for change.
Who is teaching?
A resident faculty directs the instruction and is available at all times for conversation. The resident faculty has included: Mike Moses, former superintendent, Dallas ISD and former commissioner of the Texas Education Agency; Gail Littlejohn, board president of Dayton Public Schools (Ohio); Julian Trevino, board president for San Antonio ISD; Alton Frailey, former superintendent of Cincinnati Public Schools and former school board member of Cypress-Fairbanks ISD; and Don McAdams, president, CRSS.
When and where is it?
The Texas
Institute is held annually
in late June or early July in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
Do Board members pay for the training?
No, Texas foundations and corporations cover all expenses.
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