District enters first phase of Texas Strategic Leadership initiative to drive long-term student success
MISSION, TEXAS — Mission CISD is embarking on a transformative five-year journey to enhance student outcomes through its participation in the Texas Strategic Leadership (TSL) initiative. Partnering with the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and Region One Education Service Center, the district has begun developing a comprehensive strategic plan aimed at aligning district systems to better serve students, staff, and the community.
A Data-Driven Approach to Improvement
The first phase, known as Landscape Analysis, is already underway. This foundational step involves collecting and reviewing key data from across the district — including student assessments, staff and community surveys, leadership feedback, and operational artifacts.
“It’s like a campus needs assessment, but at the district level,” said Francene Phoenix, an administrator with Region One’s Office of District Systems Alignment. “We’re looking at everything from PLC agendas and assessment calendars to survey data, to get a full picture of where the district is and where it can grow.”
Identifying Priorities, Steering Toward Goals
The analysis will help Mission CISD identify critical priority areas based on the Effective District Framework, a tool used in the TSL process. From there, district leaders and the board of trustees will narrow in on two or three key improvement levers to focus on throughout the planning year.
“The goal is to improve student achievement — both academic performance and college, career, and military readiness,” said Dr. Cris King, Superintendent of Schools. “We’ve already set our House Bill 3 goals in collaboration with the board. Now we’ll focus on the critical actions needed to move the needle.”
Community and Board Collaboration at the Core
The TSL initiative places strong emphasis on stakeholder involvement. Community input, staff surveys, and board visioning all inform the direction of the plan, ensuring alignment with both state mandates and local priorities.
“The school board sets the vision, and the steering committee helps guide the implementation,” Phoenix said. “It’s about helping districts get the biggest bang for their buck and ensuring students are supported in every way possible.”
Preparing Students for Life Beyond Graduation
As the strategic plan takes shape, the district’s long-term goal remains clear: to ensure all students graduate ready to thrive in college, career, or military service — and as successful, citizens in their communities.
“This work is about making sure that every system in our district supports student success,” said Dr. King. “We’re laying the foundation now for the next five years and beyond.”
This strategic planning process is just one of the many ways Mission CISD is looking toward the future for its students. By taking a thoughtful, data-informed approach and engaging voices from across the district and community, the district is building a stronger foundation for long-term student success. Through initiatives like this, Mission CISD continues to demonstrate its commitment to preparing every student for a bright and promising future.