Good News: February 2025

Note From The CEO

Hello Friend,

Every data point tells a story. And right now, the numbers are painting a clear picture of the opportunities and challenges facing Houston students.

Let’s start with early education. We know that students who attend public pre-K enter kindergarten better prepared, setting them up for long-term success. But here’s the challenge: 41,000 eligible Houston students are not enrolled. That’s thousands of kids missing out on a strong start—an issue we must address. In By the Numbers, we break down why public pre-K is critical and what we can do to ensure more students have access.

Meanwhile, teacher workforce trends are shaping the future of our classrooms. Schools are facing shortages, certification gaps, and retention challenges, all of which impact student success. In our new Learning Curve Conversations series, we’re bringing in experts to unpack the latest data. Our first episode, featured in Closer Look, spotlights Chad Aldeman, who dives into what the numbers reveal about Houston’s teacher workforce.

Beyond the data, we’ve been on the ground supporting educators. From celebrating teachers at the Cactus Jack HBCU Classic to ensuring Houston’s educators feel valued and supported, we’re making sure those shaping the next generation have the resources they need. Catch the pictures in Houston Education Spotlight.

As we continue through 2025, one thing is clear: data should drive action—and together, we can use these insights to build a stronger future for Houston students.

Warm regards,

CLOSER LOOK

A Deep Dive into the Teacher Workforce with Learning Curve Conversations

The challenges facing Houston’s teacher workforce aren’t new—but the latest data provides fresh insights into what’s happening and what can be done. That’s why we’re launching The Learning Curve Conversations, a new video series featuring experts breaking down key education issues.

In our first episode, we sit down with Chad Aldeman, an education researcher and founder of Read Not Guess, to explore the biggest teacher workforce trends and what they mean for Houston.

Sign up for The Learning Curve to stay updated on upcoming episodes as we continue exploring the most pressing issues and trends in public education.

BY THE NUMBERS

41,000 Eligible Houston Kids Are Missing Out on Public Pre-K

Public pre-K plays a key role in ensuring students start kindergarten ready to learn—yet 41,000 eligible students in Houston are not enrolled¹. The data shows that students who attend public pre-K are more likely to succeed in school, but barriers like limited seats, lack of awareness, and logistical challenges keep many families from enrolling.

Here’s what the numbers tell us:

Eligible students who attend public pre-K are twice as likely to be kindergarten-ready as those who do not enroll.
Only 41% of eligible students in the Houston region were enrolled in public pre-K during the 2023-24 school year.
Public pre-K enrollment rates have remained relatively flat over the past five years, failing to return to pre-pandemic levels.
Emergent bilingual students who attend public pre-K are 43 percentage points more likely to be kindergarten-ready than their peers who do not attend.