MIDLAND, TEXAS – The Permian Strategic Partnership (PSP) and the Scharbauer Foundation announced today their continued commitment to supporting education in the Permian Basin by partnering with the Holdsworth Center on a $6.1 million investment in leadership training of public school officials across the region. This partnership recognizes the importance of investing in education leaders to ensure student success and community prosperity.
Over the next two years, the goal is to strengthen the leadership skills of up to 100 principals, assistant principals, teachers and district administrators and build stronger talent development opportunities in the region’s largest school systems.
Scharbauer Foundation will contribute $1.5 million to the effort, with the PSP contributing $4.6mm.
“We believe that investing in educational leadership is fundamental for securing a prosperous future in the Permian Basin,” said Tracee Bentley, President and CEO of the PSP. “The Holdsworth Center has proven to be an exceptional partner, equipping public school leaders with the tools, skills and top tier training we need to elevate the quality of education in our region. Our continued partnership provides a valuable opportunity to ensure all students across the Permian Basin have access to the education they need to succeed.”
Fueled by regional growth, public schools in the Permian Basin are experiencing extreme increases in student populations and, unfortunately, have underperformed compared to other regions. Compounding the issue, schools in the area face a shortage in both teaching and leadership positions, further limiting educational opportunities for public school students.
“Because teachers, principals, assistant principals, and district administrators are educational “first responders” who provide learning opportunities and hope for our children and families, Scharbauer Foundation is proud to partner with PSP, The Holdsworth Center, and the participating districts in this important initiative,” said Grant Billingsley, President and CEO of Scharbauer Foundation, Inc.
Since its founding in 2017, The Holdsworth Center has served more than 1,370 educators in 50 Texas public school districts.
This spring, Holdsworth will select the first cohort of 24 Permian Basin schools and districts to participate in its 2-year Campus Leadership Program, which helps teams of leaders strengthen their leadership muscles and learn new ways to tackle issues standing in the way of student success.
The program has a track record of success. Despite the challenges of the last two years, 84 percent of schools in the program made significant progress toward an ambitious student impact goal.
“The only way to achieve better results for students is to invest deeply in the dedicated educators who serve them,” said Dr. Lindsay Whorton, president of The Holdsworth Center. “We are grateful to PSP and Scharbauer for their vision and commitment to student success and are eager to lift up and strengthen educators in the Permian Basin region.”
In addition to the Campus Leadership Program, three of the region’s largest districts will participate in the Holdsworth Leadership Collaborative, a program designed to help district leaders build a strong bench of aspiring principals who are ready to step into school leadership positions when they arise.
Related Content
