From Our CEO
A New School Year, A Sharper Focus
Key Takeaways
- Last year, 745 volunteers gave 10,011 hours and donors invested more than $5.4 million to support Dallas ISD students, educators, and schools through United to Learn.
- Third-grade STAAR Reading performance across United to Learn partner schools rose 12.1 percentage points in two years — four times the statewide rate — reaching 42.3% at Meets in FY26, the highest level since 2017.
- For FY27, United to Learn aims for 48% of U2L Network School third-graders to achieve Meets or above in STAAR Reading, accelerating early literacy achievement and progress towards Dallas ISD's 2030 reading goal.
Every new school year brings fresh possibilities for students, educators, families, and the communities that surround our schools.
At United to Learn, we believe engaged communities strengthen public schools. We build the infrastructure that connects Dallas ISD goals and priorities with the people and resources that power more opportunities for students, educators, and schools to thrive.
As we begin the 2026–2027 school year, we have strong momentum to build on.
Dallas Shows Up for Its Schools
Last year, our community invested generously in Dallas public schools. Individuals put their time, talent, and resources to work alongside schools.
745 unique volunteers served 10,011 hours, while donors invested more than $5.4 million to support students, educators, and school communities across the United to Learn network.
Aspiring teachers sat alongside students, helping literacy skills take root. Volunteers partnered with campuses to enrich learning spaces and experiences. Community, philanthropic, and corporate partners invested time, talent, and resources in ways that aligned their giving and volunteer priorities with school-identified goals and research-backed approaches.
Together, these contributions create a strong infrastructure of community support around schools. And we're seeing encouraging evidence of what that collective effort can help make possible.
Progress Across Students, Educators, and Schools
Students Are Making Academic Gains
Reading offers one measure of student success for United to Learn and Dallas ISD. Over the past two years, third-grade reading performance across United to Learn partner schools has increased 12.1 percentage points, four times faster than the statewide rate of growth. In FY26, 42.3% of third-grade students reached Meets or above on STAAR Reading — the State of Texas Assessments of Academic Readiness — the highest level across United to Learn partner schools since 2017.
Future Educators Are Moving Toward the Classroom
Our work also helps strengthen the educator pipeline. Today's tutors for elementary students are also preparing to become educators who will serve Dallas classrooms in the future.
Through the Aspiring Teachers program, college and high school students gain training and hands-on experience while providing individualized support to young learners. Last year, 93% of students receiving that support increased their i-Ready Reading scores — a K–12 diagnostic assessment used to track reading and math progress. At the same time, 83% of eligible Aspiring Teachers advanced to their next opportunity on the path toward becoming classroom teachers, including 33% who secured teaching positions in Dallas ISD.
School Conditions Are Strengthening
We're also seeing progress in the conditions that support educators, learning, and school culture.
Across priority cohorts, 45 campuses improved across all six climate domains, including student culture, teacher support, leadership effectiveness, and overall school climate. In addition, 61 campuses improved in at least four domains. And 95% of surveyed principals reported that United to Learn helped them meet their campus goals.
These outcomes reflect the work and commitment of students, educators, school leaders, families, and Dallas ISD teams every day. They also offer encouraging evidence that aligning community support with school goals can help strengthen the conditions in which schools thrive.
Building on the Momentum
This year, United to Learn will continue building that infrastructure around schools through three interconnected areas of focus:
FY27 GoalAdvancing Student Success
Our work begins with what schools are here to do: help students learn and succeed.
In FY27, early literacy will remain an important academic focus, alongside investments in the school conditions and experiences that support student learning, belonging, and growth.
Building on recent reading progress, our goal is for 48% of third-grade students across United to Learn network schools to achieve Meets or above in STAAR Reading, accelerating early literacy achievement and progress toward Dallas ISD’s 2030 reading goal.
FY27 GoalSupporting Educators and the Educator Pipeline
Educators are at the heart of thriving schools.
United to Learn will continue to support educators across their journeys, from Aspiring Teachers preparing for careers in the classroom to early-career educators building their practice to experienced school leaders strengthening campus culture.
We connect educators with resources, professional learning, wellness opportunities, and community support to strengthen today's educator workforce and develop the pipeline for tomorrow.
FY27 GoalGrowing a Community That Champions Public Education
Strong public schools are a community asset, and Dallas has tremendous capacity to invest alongside them.
United to Learn turns that potential into action, creating meaningful ways for the broader Dallas community to support schools and Dallas' future leaders—today's students.
In FY27, we will deepen those connections and invite even more Dallas community members to invest their time, talent, resources, and voices in public education.
What We Can Build Together
Our goals for the year ahead are ambitious. They should be.
The progress we're seeing shows what's possible when schools and community bring their strengths together around shared goals.
That's the infrastructure United to Learn exists to build: connecting the strength of our community with our public schools so more students and educators thrive.
As another school year begins, we're grateful for the thousands of people who continue to invest alongside Dallas schools and energized by what we can build together in the year ahead.
Because when our community invests in its schools, Dallas grows stronger with them.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is United to Learn?
United to Learn is a Dallas-based nonprofit that builds the infrastructure connecting Dallas ISD goals and priorities with the people and resources that power opportunities for students, educators, and schools to thrive.
How much did Dallas donors and volunteers invest last year?
Last year, 745 unique volunteers served 10,011 hours and donors invested more than $5.4 million to support students, educators, and school communities across the United to Learn network.
What is United to Learn's reading goal for FY27?
United to Learn's FY27 goal is for 48% of third-grade students across its network schools to reach Meets or above on STAAR Reading, building on a rise to 42.3% in FY26 and accelerating progress toward Dallas ISD's 2030 reading goal.
What is the Aspiring Teachers program?
The Aspiring Teachers program gives college and high school students training and hands-on experience providing individualized support to young learners while preparing for careers in education. Last year, 83% of eligible participants advanced toward a classroom teaching role, including 33% who were hired into Dallas ISD.
Be Part of What's Next
Every gift, volunteer hour, and partnership helps Dallas schools and students thrive.