Creating and commissioning rigorous academic research on innovative ideas and programming is foundational to our approach. We look to existing research to inform our work, and endeavor to contribute new research where we see need.
We conduct in-house data analysis and commission formal research from leading universities and institutions to better understand complex ideas and share relevant findings with the field.
Explore our research reports and case studies, and stay tuned as we continue to research topics essential to the Charles Butt Foundation mission.
The impacts of standardized testing reverberate inside and outside school buildings across Texas. Because of this reality, State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR) testing has been a consistent domain of the Charles Butt Foundation’s survey research. Our latest report, Texans’ Views of the State Assessments of Academic Readiness (STAAR), synthesizes STAAR-related data from the perspectives of Texans, both parents and non-parents, and teachers using data from our 2020-23 Texas Education Poll and Texas Teacher Poll reports.
At the Charles Butt Foundation, we believe a critical underpinning of a more equitable and prosperous future for all Texans is for every student in every classroom to have an effective teacher every year. Unfortunately, that is not the current reality. Texas struggles to ensure every classroom has a fully certified teacher. In 2021–22, a combined 57% of first-time teachers in Texas held either a substandard intern certificate or emergency permit, (30%) or no certification at all (27%). That is why part of our strategy is centered around making progress in this regard.
This report is the second commissioned report with the University of Houston exploring the teacher workforce across the state of Texas. One primary strategy of the Texas Education Agency to prepare every child for success in college, a career, or the military is to recruit, support, and retain effective instructional leaders capable of delivering strong classroom instruction. Unfortunately, Texas-along with other states- is facing unprecedented teacher shortages. This report provides an updated and comprehensive view of the teacher workforce across the state of Texas. This study endeavors to support policy and advocacy development aimed at strengthening the state’s public education system by growing and retaining the pool of qualified educators needed to serve local communities.
Note: Many of the research reports offered here were commissioned and published by our sister organization, Raise Your Hand Texas. We share them here because the subject matter is relevant to the mission and work of the Charles Butt Foundation.