Every child deserves a strong start in school, and that begins with learning to read and do math confidently. But right now, too many Texas students struggle to meet grade-level expectations—especially by 3rd grade, a key milestone for future success. That’s why Good Reason Houston’s Director of Government Relations provided testimony Tuesday to the Senate Education Committee to support Senate Bill 2252 (SB 2252), a bill designed to strengthen early literacy and math skills in public schools across Texas.
Why Early Education Matters
Research shows that students who aren’t reading and doing math at grade level by 3rd grade have a much harder time catching up later. SB 2252 directly addresses this challenge by ensuring schools have the tools to track student progress, step in with targeted support, and train teachers with specialized knowledge to help young learners succeed.
Building a Texas’ Cohesive Approach to Early Education
Texas has already made major strides in education with laws like HB 3 (88R), which provided funding for early learning and required schools to set clear goals for student success. SB 2252 builds on this foundation by increasing funding for early education and giving school districts more useful data to guide decisions that benefit students.
Short screening instruments that measure foundational literacy and math skills allow districts to identify learning gaps, determine root causes, and elevate proficiency at all levels. Districts that successfully leverage this information use it to drive decisions around resource allocation, professional development, and curriculum.
Helping Students Excel in Math
Math proficiency is another big challenge—right now, most Texas students aren’t meeting state standards. In Houston, only 38% of students are proficient in math across all grade levels. SB 2252 strengthens math instruction by providing targeted training and early interventions to help young students build strong numeracy skills. These early efforts lay the groundwork for success in more advanced math courses later on.
Expanding Support for Struggling Schools
SB 2252 would also help struggling schools by expanding access to successful improvement programs, like the Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) model. Aldine ISD implemented ACE at two campuses in 2019 and today, those schools were less affected by the pandemic and outperformed the rest of the district by nearly 20%.. Good Reason Houston believes every child should have access to a great education, and SB 2252 is a strong step in the right direction. By investing in early learning, Texas can help more students stay on track and build a brighter future for all.
