Relay's Impact in Texas

Relay teachers are making a big difference in Texas, delivering remarkable results for students and setting a new standard in teacher preparation.

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A new study conducted by Texas Tech University researchers examined teacher preparation programs in the state. Relay-trained teachers are driving impressive student experiences and outcomes in several key areas.  

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The study revealed that second-year Relay teachers lead their students to five additional months of reading growth and three additional months of math growth (compared to those taught by teachers from similar educator preparation programs).  This is a tremendous amount of additional learning in just one school year, and Relay teachers’ positive impact on their students’ academic growth continues over time.

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“Relay is helping children achieve better outcomes by ensuring that every student has access to outstanding educators,” said Relay President Dr. Mayme Hostetter. “We set the bar high for our teachers so they can make a real impact.”

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The impact of Relay-trained educators goes beyond academic performance. Relay teachers in Texas are more likely to be Black compared to their peers from other EPPs. According to an Institute of Education Sciences (IES) study, Black K-3 students who were assigned a Black teacher were 5 percentage points more likely to graduate high school and 4 percentage points more likely to enroll in college than those taught by white teachers. Additionally, the same study revealed that non-white K-5 students taught by teaches of the same race/ethnicity have 19 percent fewer suspensions per year.

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Commitment to the profession is strong among Relay-trained teachers: 78% of Relay graduates are still teaching in Texas public schools after five years. This means Relay teachers are 20% less likely than their peers to leave the profession during the critical first five years in the classroom. The impressive retention rate is a testament to the quality of training Relay graduates receive to complement their passion for educating the next generation of students.

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Relay teachers also received high marks in fostering positive and supportive learning environments. The study revealed that students taught by Relay teachers have significantly lower suspension rates — about 30% fewer students are suspended each year in Relay teachers’ classrooms as compared to those taught by teachers from other EPPs.

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Relay currently has three Texas locations -- Houston, Dallas/Fort Worth, and San Antonio – and has established partnerships with nearly 40 schools/districts across the state. More than 1,000 Texas teachers have participated in Relay, and program graduates have impacted almost 164,000 students.

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The future for Relay is bright in Texas. As Relay continues to prepare outstanding educators, the institution remains committed to expanding its impact and ensuring that every student in the state has access to exceptional teachers. We are excited to see the positive change that Relay teachers will bring to classrooms across Texas and beyond.