On March 28, The Teach Plus statewide Student Success Summits bring together educators, industry leaders, and community partners to ensure every student is post-graduation ready
ARLINGTON, TX, March 23, 2026—More than half of Texas students are crossing the graduation stage without a clear path to a stable career. That’s why Teach Plus Texas Policy Fellows—current classroom teachers from across the state—are conducting statewide research to understand how Texas can create the systems and conditions that enable teachers to prepare all students to earn a postsecondary credential or degree within six years of graduation. Held on March 28, the DFW summit—the first of three regional Student Success Summits—brings together educators, district leaders, industry partners, policymakers, and community members from the Dallas-Fort Worth area to engage with that research and turn it into action.
“Teachers, who are closest to students, are uniquely positioned to see both the promise and the barriers our students face every day. The Student Success Summits create space for educators, school leaders, and community partners to come together around research and real classroom experience to identify solutions that strengthen college, career, and life opportunities for students across Texas,” said Natalie Brown, Teach Plus Texas Policy Director.
Through surveys and focus groups with educators from Dallas to El Paso to Houston, the Fellows are gathering data on the barriers teachers face to support their students—from working conditions and compensation, to how schools are integrating AI, to whether teacher preparation programs are equipping educators to connect classroom learning to what students will need in the workforce. The DFW summit is designed to be practical and action-oriented, giving attendees the chance to engage directly with that research and leave with concrete policy ideas ready to act.
“My working group and I will share how strengthening career-connected learning, workforce awareness, and practical instructional strategies can help ensure students leave school ready to navigate life beyond the classroom. By incorporating teacher voice into policy decisions, Texas can better prepare students for college, careers, and military service,” said Christian Jovel-Arias, Dallas elementary school teacher and Teach Plus Texas Policy Fellow.
DFW Summit Highlights include:
- Keynote by Dr. Jared Williams, former Fort Worth City Council member and scientist, on why career-connected learning is the essential foundation for student success in a fast-changing economy.
- Industry Insider Panel: Experts explore how educators can partner with regional businesses to guide students toward high-demand, local career paths.
- Policy Action Lab: Educators and industry partners collaborate to translate classroom data into specific legislative recommendations for the upcoming Texas session.
The summit will also take on the questions of how schools can harness AI in ways that serve students and teachers—and what policies need to be in place to make that happen.
“Teachers and students need clear, thoughtful guidelines for AI use—and I look forward to hearing ideas that help us create the systems and conditions for all students to fully participate in the digital world,” said Janet Harrison, Fort Worth middle school teacher and Teach Plus Texas Senior Policy Fellow.
The DFW summit is free and open to the public. Lunch will be provided. All attendees must register in advance at sites.google.com/teachplus.
About Teach Plus Texas
Teach Plus Texas is a teacher-led advocacy organization that empowers educators to take on leadership roles beyond the classroom—shaping policy, driving research, and championing solutions that expand opportunity for all students. Teach Plus Texas Policy Fellows are current classroom teachers selected to conduct research and develop policy recommendations that reflect what’s actually happening in schools.
