Public Schools partnered with A+ to build capacity
Educators have strengthened skills & knowledge through A+ programs
Students served by stronger teachers & school leaders
Helping Texas teachers and leaders grow so that every child can succeed.
Texas A+ Challenge, a division of CHILDREN AT RISK, provides coaching, professional learning, and leadership development to strengthen teaching and learning across Texas schools. Our services include job-embedded coaching, training-of-trainers models, instructional rounds, and customized workshops that address best practices and current legislation. By modeling effective instruction and connecting theory to practice, we help educators and leaders build sustainable systems that drive long-term student success.
Upcoming Texas A+ Challenge Workshops
Oct 22 - Dec 11
Texas A+ Challenge: From Teacher to Leader
For new leaders needing practical tools to lead, coach, and support your colleagues effectively. Join us in person for hands-on learning designed just for beginners in instructional leadership.
October 23 Virtual October 30 In-Person
Nov 13 Virtual
December 9th in person
Our Data
Our support has helped schools improve performance on STAAR; Below are some examples of campus growth of students who meet grade level expectations on STAAR. data
OUR TESTIMONIALS
“My A+ coaches are my trusted source for highly-knowledgeable and relevant PD and coaching that I would not be able to provide otherwise and the sole instructional leader on my campus. They understand my vision, and they work well with my teachers, some of whom they have been supporting for multiple years.“
– Samyra Rogers, Principal
“You’ve NEVER experienced effective coaching from a third party until you’ve worked with A+ Challenge. Everyone grows with the coaching and is empowered to succeed after the coaching concludes. The A+ relationship endures – not because the growth is only possible when the coaching is happening, but because teachers have grown to a new place and seek out answers/collaborations to advocate for themselves in the areas they are now able to identify for their students with the content/curriculum.”
-Erin Chavez, Principal
“This coaching experience has made me feel cared for and supported to be able to access and implement new knowledge, participate in deep reflection and learning, and to be comfortable taking risks as a new instructional coach.”
-Raymond Mason, Instructional Specialist
Our Latest Pk-12 EDUCATION Research & Resources
C@R Statement in Response to the Release of TEA’s 2025 Accountability Ratings
Media Contacts: Morgan Gerri, 832.600.9354 Rashena Franklin, 713.301.4577 IMMEDIATE RELEASE August 15, 2025 The 2025 TEA Accountability Ratings show what is possible when improvement is measured and made public. For the first time in years, Houston ISD has no...
Press Conference: Education, Legislation, and Workforce Alignment in Texas
Changes to school funding, teacher certification requirements, and public education policy poised to reshape academic recovery and career preparation for Texas students. Media Contacts:Morgan Gerri, 832.600.9354Rashena Franklin, 713.301.4577 HOUSTON, TX (June 6, 2025)...
2024 Annual Report
Dear Friends and Advocates, At CHILDREN AT RISK, we believe that every child deserves a fair shot at success—and we know that it takes all of us to make that happen. Whether you’re a policymaker, educator, donor, volunteer, or advocate, your partnership has helped...
Press Conference: Changes at U.S. Department of Education Impact Support for Emergent Bilingual Students
Massive layoffs at the U.S. Department of Education are predicted to impact 1.27 million Texas children Media Contacts:Morgan Gerri, 832.600.9354Rashena Franklin, 713.301.4577 TEXAS (March 19, 2025) – In an unprecedented move, the U.S. Department of Education...
Advocating in Support of SB 570 & SB 991
Mandi Kimball, Chief Government Affairs Officer with CHILDREN AT RISK, testifies in support of SB 570 & SB 991 during the March 25, 2025 hearing of the Texas Senate Committee on Education K-16. My name is Mandi Kimball, Vice President of Children at Risk, and I am...
2023-2024 Houston School Rankings
CHILDREN AT RISK Releases 2023-2024 Annual Houston School Rankings HOUSTON, TX (February 12, 2025) – Over the past 20 years, CHILDREN AT RISK has ranked Texas public schools to help parents, educators, and community members better understand how their local schools...
2023-2024 North Texas School Rankings
CHILDREN AT RISK Releases 2023-2024 Annual Texas School Rankings DALLAS, TX (February 5, 2025) – Over the past 20 years, CHILDREN AT RISK has ranked Texas public schools to help parents, educators, and community members better understand how their local schools are...
Charting Success
Charting Success Evaluating the Classroom Experiences of Children of Immigrants in TexasOur children are charting a new course for America. They are at the leading edge of the nation’s growing diversity. Approximately 53% of the U.S. population under age 18 belonged...
Fall 2024 | Early Childhood Education Texas Tour
CHILDREN AT RISK's Early Childhood Texas Tour is coming to a city near you, and you won’t want to miss it. C@R is hitting the road with 12 in-person stops across the state, bringing together child care providers, community leaders, and anyone passionate about...
2024 C@R Special Events
Special Eventsconvening for change Every dollar donated helps us improve the lives of Texas children. CHILDREN AT RISK is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization (EIN: 76-0360533). Contributions are tax-deductible to the fullest extent allowed by law. It is with immense...
2023 Annual Report
It is with immense pride and joy that we announce the start of a significant milestone: the 35th Anniversary of CHILDREN AT RISK. For over three decades, our organization has been at the forefront of advocating for the well-being and rights of vulnerable children,...
2022-2023 CHILDREN AT RISK’s Annual School Rankings
For the past nineteen years, CHILDREN AT RISK (C@R) has ranked and graded Texas public schools to help parents, educators, and community members better understand how their local schools are performing. By providing this information to parents and educators, C@R hopes...