Lone Star Governance

The intention of Lone Star Governance is to provide a continuous improvement model for governing teams (Boards in collaboration with their Superintendents) that choose to intensively focus on one primary objective:

Lone Star Governance accomplishes this intense focus through tailored execution of the five points of the Texas Framework for School Board Development:

In addition to Lone Star’s singular focus on improving student outcomes, it provides a system for governing the secondary, but vital, legal and fiscal responsibilities of the Board. 

The Lone Star Governance implementation integrity instrument can be viewed by downloading the Lone Star Governance Manual (PDF). The tools provided in the manual include:

  • Implementation Integrity Instrument

  • Board's Time Use Tracker

  • Board's Staff Use Tracker

  • Board's Quarterly Progress Tracker

  • Sample Policies and Document

Educational Philosophy and Lone Star Governance Goals:

FAQs:
What is Lone Star Governance?
Lone Star Governance is an optional first-of-its kind training initiative aimed at providing a continuous improvement model for governing teams that choose to intensively focus on one primary objective: improving student outcomes.

What is the purpose?
Lone Star Governance participants will finish the two-day sessions in better position to effectively monitor student outcomes; effectively hold the superintendent accountable for improving student outcomes; understand the concepts of student outcome goals; and draft a Lone Star Governance implementation timeline specific to their individual school district.

Where can I learn more about Lone Star Governance?
All support materials being used in the Lone Star Governance training sessions are available for viewing on the Texas Education Agency website. For more information regarding Lone Star Governance and to view the support materials, visit http://tea.texas.gov/LSG.

How many times is the recommended amount for board meetings, work sessions, and special board meetings?
Lone Star Governance recommends that there be no more than three board-authorized public meetings per month and that none lasts more than two hours. Please see the "structure" section of the LSG instrument (page 46) and find the first descriptor under the "Masters Focus" column.

Now that we've completed the Lone Star Governance 2-day workshop, what should we be doing regarding Board evaluation?
Lone Star Governance recommends that the school board completes and votes to approve a self-evaluation every three months using the "Board's Quarterly Progress Tracker" found at the end of the LSG instrument. Please see the "Unity" section of the LSG instrument (page 48) and find the third descriptor under the "Masters Focus" column.

Our team of 8 just earned a Lone Star Governance certificate. How long is it good for?
Lone Star Governance Certificates expire after 24 months. For governing teams that have met the continuous improvement timeline each quarter during the 24 months, the LSG certificate may be automatically reissued. Otherwise the governing team will need to attend the LSG workshop to earn a new LSG certificate. Please see the "Continuous Improvement Timeline" and "Evaluation Notes" sections of the LSG instrument (page 51).

Can other members of our Leadership Team attend the two-day workshop? We have talked so positively about it that other members of our Leadership Team want to know if they can attend.
Yes. While a governing team has a valid Lone Star Governance certificate, they are welcome to send individual trustees or staff through the workshop. The requirement to have the entire team go through together only applies when a governing team does not have a valid LSG certificate.