Texas Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents
The Leadership | The Advocate | The Voice for Latino Learners and Leaders
The Texas Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents is the premier organization in advocacy for the growth and advancement of Latino learners and leaders. With an unrelenting commitment to improving learning outcomes for Latino learners, TALAS provides leadership development, collective impact, advocacy, and a proactive voice for Latino and non-Latino leaders who have a passion for serving the fastest-growing student population in Texas.
Most Recent News
3.2.1. The power of limiting your options, the value of eagerness, and what we undervalue
3 Ideas From Me
I.
“If you’re eager to learn—even if you aren’t particularly talented—then you can make it a long way despite your shortcomings.
But if you’re not eager and curious, you’ll find your natural abilities often fall short of what is required.”
Graduation rates continue to fall
The majority of states, 26, saw declines in high school graduation rates following the pandemic, new research shows.
In 2020, for example, 10 states had graduation rates of 90% or higher, but only five did in 2022, according to Tuesday’s analysis from the Grad Partnership, a network of nonprofits working to improve student outcomes.
But the report suggests that the full impact of COVID school closures on graduation rates has yet to be realized. This year’s seniors, for example, were seventh graders when the pandemic hit in March, 2020 and likely spent much of eighth grade learning remotely or in a cycle of on-again, off-again in-person learning.
Death by Meetings
Meetings that work energize talent.
Principal #1: Meetings give the illusion that something got done.
If you spend all day in meetings:
You waste time.
You can’t make decisions.
You don’t know how to delegate.
You’re self-important.
You spend your day assigning work to others.
“… one either meets or one works. One can not do both at the same time.” Peter Drucker
The right to free education
Since a landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling in 1982, undocumented students have had the right to a free education
Public schools cannot discriminate against nor force undocumented families to pay tuition due to a 1982 landmark U.S. Supreme Court case known as Plyler v. Doe.
In a 5-4 decision, the court held that schools are responsible for extending the equal protection clause of the 14th Amendment to undocumented children, and that public schools could not request citizenship documentation of students nor deprive children of an education.
“By denying these children a basic education, we deny them the ability to live within the structure of our civic institutions, and foreclose any realistic possibility that they will contribute in even the smallest way to the progress of our Nation,” wrote Justice William Joseph Brennan Jr. in the majority decision.
The average superintendent salary
Austin— The median salary for a Texas school superintendent in 2024-25 is $153,176, an increase of 2.1% from the prior year, according to the annual Texas Association of School Boards (TASB) and the Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA) Superintendent Salary Survey.
The survey is conducted each fall to help school districts across the state understand compensation trends. Of all the responsibilities entrusted to school board members, among the most important is hiring and evaluating a superintendent, said Amy Campbell, director of TASB HR Services, which administers the survey.
“As districts wrestle with budget constraints, current compensation data helps school board members develop a compelling pay and benefits package to recruit or retain the best superintendent for their district,” Campbell said.
Bluebonnet Curriculum is adopted
Critics say the curriculum overemphasizes Christianity. Texas school districts don’t have to use it but will receive $60 per student if they do.
A majority of the Texas State Board of Education gave final approval Friday to a state-authored curriculum under intense scrutiny in recent months for its heavy inclusion of biblical teachings.
Eight of the 15 board members voted to approve Bluebonnet Learning, the elementary school curriculum proposed by the Texas Education Agency earlier this year.
Events
HTX Holiday Mixer & Toy Drive
White Rhino 319 Milby Street, Houston, TX, United StatesCelebrate the end of the year with HTX TALAS and welcome the new board members.
C- TALAS Networking Mixer & Membership Drive
SXSW Center 1400 Lavaca St., Austin, TX, United StatesCentral Texas TALAS is inviting you to attend the membership drive and mixer!
Executive Board Meeting
Monthly meeting for Executive Board
Monthly Board Meeting (Midwinter)
Monthly Board meeting for Board of Directors
TALAS Midwinter Reception
TALAS would like to welcome you to Midwinter! Come and celebrate with us. Details to follow.
Summer Leadership Summit
El Paso, TexasMark your calendars for this incredible event! TALAS State Conference is moving to El Paso! Hope to see you there. Details are forthcoming. Visit the website for upcoming information.
TALAS Partnership Spotlight
Lexia Learning
We are thrilled to share the latest episode of the TALAS Partnership Spotlight series. Dr. Rick Fernandez is joined by guest Dr. José Viana, Senior Education Advisor at Lexia Learning. In this entertaining and very informative episode, Dr. José goes in-depth on the push for bilingualism in the U.S. and the way we need to improve if we want to achieve this goal, Dr. Rick asks all the right questions that teachers and parents are wondering, Dr. José does a fantastic job of laying out the vision Lexia Learning has and his excitement to share the new ways they will help improve the world of education.
Our Partners
Platino Sponsors
Abre
Abre is K-12’s #1 modern data solution. Developed by two educators tired of not providing their stakeholders the optimal technology experience, Abre is a true education solution that connects what matters most to students, families, staff, and community partners. Abre helps schools increase student success all while saving money and providing a better connected experience through full interoperability, tailored experiences, and data-as-a-service.
Human Architects
Professional development trains people for the expected;
Human Architecting builds people for the unexpected.
ParentSquare
ParentSquare is a unified, equitable communication platform combining district notifications, school/classroom two-way dialogue, and services including health screening, eSignatures, sign-ups, surveys, attendance, volunteering, and much more. Partners enjoy detailed oversights and an immediate, measurable spike in engagement scoring due to ease of use and state-of-the-art language translations.
ThinkCERCA
A New Approach to Critical Thought
The CERCA Framework is a scaffolded approach to literacy that helps students develop their critical thinking skills.
ThinkCERCA’s expert-designed lessons walk students through the process of analyzing content-rich texts and multimedia to construct cohesive argumentative, informational, or narrative writings.
Oro Sponsors
EF Student Tours
For over 55 years, EF has been working to keep minds and the world wide open. We design tours to help educators teach, and so students can learn more—about tolerance, other perspectives, and themselves.
Texas Education Alliance
We are an all-star team of experienced education industry governmental relations consultants, sales and marketing executives, lobbyists, policy strategists , and industry partners working together for one common goal.
Plata Sponsors
IXL
IXL is personalized learning. With a comprehensive K-12 curriculum, individualized guidance, and real-time analytics, IXL meets the unique needs of each learner.
Renaissance Learning
As a global leader in assessment, reading, and math solutions for pre-K–12 schools and districts, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success.
Bronce Sponsors
Benchmark Education
Benchmark Education Company provides students and teachers with the resources they need to become problem-solvers, decision-makers, and joyful learners.
Our mission is for every student to find lifelong inspiration, growth, and success through literacy, language, and knowledge development.
Goodside Health
As a global leader in assessment, reading, and math solutions for pre-K–12 schools and districts, Renaissance is committed to providing educators with insights and resources to accelerate growth and help all students build a strong foundation for success.
Lockwood, Andrews & Newnam, Inc. (LAN)
LAN is a national, full-service civil engineering firm, offering planning, engineering and program management services. We deliver creative solutions, exceptional quality and measurable value for the nation’s infrastructure. We help our clients move their unique projects from idea to execution.
PowerSchool
Bringing together the full picture of each student’s unique needs, PowerSchool helps you support every step of the K-12 learning journey.
VLK Architects
Working together with our clients and their stakeholders, we create transformative projects. We design for a lasting impact, from the educational space to commercial properties to automotive facilities.
Age of Learning
Helping Children Everywhere Build a Strong Foundation for Academic Success and a Lifelong Love of Learning
Affiliate Sponsors
Curriculum Associates
Educators are at the core of everything we do. That’s why our goal is to empower you with tools, resources, and research so you can help every learner grow to their personal best. For more than 50 years, we’ve worked with you to develop educational solutions.
Dearborn & Creggs
At Dearborn & Creggs, we care about your financial success. Which is why for 34 years our team of financial planners has helped thousands of people like you achieve their wealth goals with a personalized financial roadmap. We promise to take care of you.
Equitable Advisors
Throughout our long-standing history, we have embraced change and looked to the future, and we continue to see significant opportunities to develop new products and new ways to deliver service to our clients.
Graduation Alliance
There is no one-size-fits-all solution to education. That’s why, since its founding, Graduation Alliance has provided multiple pathways to individuals seeking to earn a high school credential.
Leon | Alcala, PLLC
Our attorneys are recognized statewide for the depth and breadth of our experience in public education and public law. Our team is responsive to the needs of local elected officials, and we are sensitive to the needs of a diverse community.
U World
We Make Really Hard
Stuff Easy to Understand
Customizable learning tools for your high-stakes exam
Become a Sponsor
Sponsorship opportunities allow TALAS to work with innovative partners who are interested in supporting the TALAS mission. Sponsors who partner with TALAS enjoy direct access to TALAS leadership teams committed to improving the educational outcomes for all students and their communities.
