A breaking news announcement from Texas ASCD organization:
December 18, 2024
Dear Texas ASCD Community, After 77 years of dedicated support and service to educators across our great state, Texas ASCD will officially close its doors on December 31, 2024. We do so with much gratitude to all of our members, sponsors, leaders, and partners.
Texas ASCD was founded with the clear and unwavering mission to foster excellence in education by promoting effective leadership, quality teaching, and student achievement through professional learning and advocacy. Over the decades, we have been proud to serve as a premier leader in providing cutting-edge professional development in the areas of curriculum and instruction. From hosting transformational academies to organizing annual conferences that became hubs of innovation and collaboration, we have sought to empower educators with the skills, resources, and inspiration to elevate student success.
This decision was not made lightly. We have worked tirelessly to explore every possible avenue to sustain the organization. However, several challenges have made it increasingly difficult to continue our work:
Reorganization of ASCD: The national ASCD rebranding and restructuring have led to diminished support and benefits for state affiliates like ours.
Rising Costs: The expenses required to host our academies and conferences have risen dramatically.
Budget Constraints Across Districts: Many school districts across Texas continue to grapple with budget deficits and constraints, such as limiting travel and funding for professional development.
Despite these challenges, we remain deeply grateful for the unwavering support of our members, sponsors, and educators. Your belief in our mission has been the driving force behind our success and impact.
As we prepare to close this chapter, we urge you to continue supporting other Texas-based organizations dedicated to advancing education for teaching and learning, including Texas Council of Teachers of English Language Arts (TCTELA), Career and Technology Association of Texas (CTAT), Texas Council of Teachers of Mathematics (TCTM), Texas Computer Education Association (TCEA), Science Teachers Association of Texas (STAT), Texas Council for the Social Studies (TXCSS), Texas Elementary Principals and Supervisors Association (TEPSA), Texas Association of Secondary School Principals (TASSP), Texas Association of School Administrators (TASA), and Learning Forward Texas (LFT), to name a few. These organizations are vital in ensuring that Texas educators have access to high-quality resources, innovative practices, and professional growth opportunities. In fact, TCEA is offering a free membership to all Texas ASCD members with code (code removed)….
Texas ASCD thanks you for the countless memories, your steadfast support, and your belief in our shared vision. Educators are the backbone of our state, and your dedication, passion, and tenacity ensure the best educational opportunities for Texas students. We thank you for being a part of this journey with us.
With deepest gratitude and admiration,
Texas ASCD