PK-12 Education
Only 1/3 of Economically Disadvantaged 3rd Graders are Reading On Grade-Level In Texas
One in ten children in the U.S. is born in Texas. Providing 10% of our country’s population with a quality education is critically important to the future of our local, state, and national economies. CHILDREN AT RISK conducts research to understand trends, inequities, resources, and opportunities in public education. We use that research to advocate for policy change at the local, state, and federal levels.
The Center for Social Measurement & Evaluation
One in ten children in the U.S. is born in Texas. Providing 10% of our country’s population with a quality education is critically important to the future of our local, state, and national economies.
Primarily achieved through our Center for Social Measurement and Evaluation (CSME), CHILDREN AT RISK works to ensure all Texas children have access to quality education, so they have the skills necessary to thrive in our 21st-Century economy.
Through strategic partnerships, CHILDREN AT RISK researches trends, inequities, resources, and opportunities to improve public education. We use this research to educate policymakers and advocate for better education policies
The Center for Social Measurement and Evaluation...
Collects and analyzes data on the quality of public education in Texas.
Collaborates with schools, districts, and agency
leaders to identify and evaluate innovative
practices understand their current needs and share our research findings.
Advocates for education policies that address racial and economic disparities, provide adequate funding, improve data collection practices and transparency, and expand
public pre-kindergarten programs.
Houston A+ Challenge Joins Children at risk
CHILDREN AT RISK is proud to welcome Houston A+ Challenge to the team!
Since 1997, Houston A+ Challenge has led an experienced, interconnected team of professional coaches to give school administrators, specialists, and teachers the tools they need to maintain a focus on student learning and academic growth. To date, they have served over 250,000 students and continue to grow.
Both nonprofits work tirelessly to be the catalyst for change Texas children need and are now combining efforts to increase the impact of their work to improve the public education system.
Read our press release here.
Our Latest Pk-12 EDUCATION Research & Resources
How did Children Fare in the 87th Texas Legislative Session?
Over the last 140 days, Children at Risk monitored thousands of bills, registered support for bills 93 times, provided written testimony 23 times, and provided oral testimony 20 times. Out of our initial legislative priorities, 17 bills ultimately made it to the...
Most student achievement is attributed to out-of-school factors
The following is the first in our Children's Health Vlog Series. This entry highlights the out-of-school health factors that influence student academic performance and their impact. It also covers best practices for crafting quality environments for children to learn...
Chronic Absenteeism In Texas
Before the pandemic, Texas had a problem with chronic absenteeism in its schools. Statewide, chronic absenteeism averages at 12.5% pre-COVID and varies dramatically by region. More than 740,000 students missed at least one-tenth of their instruction in 2019. The...
Learning from Experience: Advice for PK-12 Schools from Summer 2020
COVID-19 has placed unprecedented strain on our education system with early closures and emergency shifts online leading to learning losses and inequities. We know how important it is for children to return to school in-person this fall, but will it be safe? Drawing...
Educational Equity in the Digital Classroom: It is all about access
Forced adaptation is a concept in biology that describes the modification of an organism’s properties by imposing drastic changes to its environment. This may be done purposefully, to bring out characteristics deemed beneficial, such as improving the...
2019 State of Public Education
For the past thirteen years, CHILDREN AT RISK (C@R) has assigned A-F grades and ranked Texas public schools to help parents, educators, and community members better understand how their local schools are performing. C@R has used this annual “dive into the data” to spark conversations about the quality of our public schools and push the state to adopt more transparent and rigorous standards.
Building Gold Ribbon Schools
To understand school quality, each year CHILDREN AT RISK (C@R) ranks and grades schools across Texas. C@R celebrates schools that rise beyond expectations and excel academically. Gold Ribbon Schools are an example of these campuses that outperform their peers. More...
Fort Bend Community Resource Guide
CHILDREN AT RISK, in partnership with Fort Bend ISD’s Collaborative Communities, have released the 2019 Community Resource Guide. With versions in Spanish and English for schools counselors and nurses and parents alike, the guide lists the many non-profits in Fort...
2018-19 Parent Action Guides
Having trouble navigating your child’s school system? Unsure of your child’s education options? Looking to make sure your child is getting the services they need to succeed? Our 2018 regional Parent Action Guides aim to help parents answer these questions and more....
The Status of School Recess in Texas School Districts
For students, recess serves as a break in the day for brains to relax and bodies to recharge. Students with recess are happier, healthier, and more focused. This time, often short, brings joy to many school children and teachers alike, yet its presence in a daily...
Human Trafficking Near Texas Public Schools
By David McClendon & Jamey Caruthers, CHILDREN AT RISK Across the state of Texas, there are hundreds of illegal massage businesses (IMBs) acting as fronts for human trafficking and sexual exploitation. These illicit businesses are found in nearly all major Texas...
Hurricane Harvey keeps 1.4 million students out of public schools for at least a week
By David McClendon, Center for Social Measurement and Evaluation Last Monday was the first day of the new school year for public school students across Texas. But for many children up and down the Gulf Coast, Hurricane Harvey has delayed the start of school – for...