TASA Launches “The Texas Promise: A Vision for the Future”

As TASA begins its second century as an organization, it's time for a bold new vision, and that's exactly what TASA launched at the 2026 Midwinter Conference January 26. Attendees of the first general session were the first to be introduced to "The Texas Promise: A Vision for the Future," a new visioning document that will guide TASA's strategic planning efforts over the next year and the organization's evolution for years to come.

The launch was the culmination of a year of work, led by Executive Director Kevin Brown and TASA President Chris Moran, that engaged nearly 100 TASA members in the refresh of the "visioning document," which has influenced legislation, district innovation, and TASA's growth and progress as an organization since 2008.

A Little History

That original document, "Creating a New Vision for Public Education in Texas," was the result of two years of work by a group of 35 Texas superintendents who came together as the Texas Public Education Visioning Institute to articulate a bold, locally driven vision for 21st century learning. Published 17 years ago, the document informed the creation of the Texas High Performance Schools Consortium and sparked new learning networks within TASA - including the School Transformation Network, the Future-Ready Superintendents Leadership Institute and Network (FRSLI/FRSLN), and later the Texas Performance Accountability Consortium (TPAC) and the Small Schools Network - all designed to advance the principles originally set forth by the document.

The Visioning Refresh

For nearly two decades, the visioning document helped TASA and school leaders reimagine systems, assessment, learning, and leadership across Texas. But as TASA celebrated its 100th year as an organization in 2025, it became clear it was time to update and expand the ideas in the document for a new era. The result, "The Texas Promise: A Vision for Public Education," honors the groundbreaking work of the Public Education Visioning Institute while offering a renewed, forward-looking vision that reflects the needs, challenges, and aspirations of Texas public schools today.

The Texas Promise

The Texas Promise is a new vision for Texas public schools that calls for leadership grounded in integrity, systems built on trust, and classrooms alive with learning, innovation, and human connection. It's a vision that honors our history, responds to the challenges of today, and looks ahead with hope and clarity. It's a vision that first and foremost honors local control and decision-making, honoring the direction and innovation that is unique to every district and community. It is a vision that is intended to inspire thinking and decision-making for local communities and stakeholders rather than a blueprint to implement.

TASA encourages all Texas school leaders to download and dive into the The Texas Promise, share it with colleagues, and use it to inspire learning and curiosity, equip students with essential skills, and prepare our young people to contribute boldly in a rapidly changing world. Together, we can ensure that every Texas student is known, valued and prepared to thrive.

Learn more about The Texas Promise at tasanet.org/the-texas-promise.