Readiness | Access | Success
Readiness
Access
Success
RGV FOCUS is a collective impact initiative created in collaboration with Educate Texas and Communities Foundation of Texas. Founded in 2012, our mission is to transform college readiness, access and success in the four counties of the Rio Grande Valley: Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr, and Willacy. We have already achieved measurable improvements in educational outcomes across the region, and we look forward to a future when all Rio Grande Valley learners achieve a degree or credential that leads to a meaningful career.
Our Leadership Team includes representatives from school districts, institutions of higher education, community-based organizations and businesses. Working toward a shared vision, we align resources along the cradle-to-career educational pathway to improve outcomes for 440,000 learners, including pre-K-12 and higher education students. Results are measured along each step of the journey, from pre-K to higher education and into the workforce. Our ultimate goal is to improve quality of life in the Rio Grande Valley — and education is the first step.
Our Mission
Our mission is to transform college readiness, access and success in the four counties of the Rio Grande Valley: Cameron, Hidalgo, Starr and Willacy.
Our Vision
Our vision is for all RGV learners to achieve a degree or credential that leads to a meaningful career.
We will achieve this by strengthening each step of the educational pathway; better connecting our education system, and aligning community resources to provide the support learners need to succeed throughout high school and postsecondary in order to pursue a meaningful career in the RGV and beyond.
Core Values
Student Focused
We are focused on students and their experiences, strengths, challenges, and aspirations.
Transformational
The strategies we pursue are transformational both for individual institutions and the RGV at large.
Collaborative
We collaborate across institutions and sectors, and invest the resources to ensure this collaboration will be sustained.
Collaborative
We collaborate across institutions and sectors, and invest the resources to ensure this collaboration will be sustained.
Community
Our work is community centered and depends on the voices of many organizations and individuals across the RGV.
Data-Driven
We are evidence driven in our approach and use shared data and metrics to drive constant improvement across the region.
Our Goals
1
All students will graduate from high school college-ready.
2
All high-school graduates will transition to higher education within one year.
3
All higher-education graduates will achieve a degree or credential.
4
All higher-education graduates will be employed within six months of graduation.
1
All students will graduate from high school college-ready.
2
All high-school graduates will transition to higher education within one year.
3
All higher-education graduates will achieve a degree or credential.
4
All higher-education graduates will be employed within six months of graduation.
Our Design: Leading Together
RGV FOCUS transforms college readiness, access and success in the Rio Grande Valley—and we need the support of the entire community to do it. We partner with many organizations and people who share our vision, using a framework called collective impact. In order for this framework to be effective in driving social change, our partnership must meet the following conditions:
Work toward a common agenda.
Our mission and purpose are aligned with those of our partner organizations.
Measure progress by the same yardstick.
We share common goals, and track success collaboratively.
Engage in mutually reinforcing activities.
Each partner’s assets and expertise are valued, and contribute to one another’s success.
Communicate openly.
We communicate with other organizations often, sharing ideas and collaborating.
Serve as a backbone for education initiatives.
RGV FOCUS is a central point that connects education partners and manages collaborations.
How it Works
Our organization’s structure includes the following four groups:
Leadership Team:
provides overall vision and leadership
Action Networks:
lead strategy development and implementation within the Areas of
Focus
Advisory Bodies:
a Data Support Council provides input and participates in key aspects of the overall work
Partners & Community Members:
collaborate on strategy implementation and measurement of progress
Leadership Team:
provides overall vision and leadership
Action Networks:
lead implementation of the highest-priority strategies
Advisory Bodies:
a Data Support Council and Governance Council provide input and participate in key aspects of the overall work
Partners & Community Members:
collaborate on strategy implementation and measurement of progress
RGV FOCUS uses collective input from these groups to strengthen each step of the educational pipeline. At the core of our work is the Leadership Team, which meets regularly to identify regional assets and needs and to adopt a common vision, goals, strategies and metrics. Action Networks and Advisory Bodies support the Leadership Team’s work, and lead the implementation of the vision and strategy. We also employ an RGV FOCUS backbone staff, which serves the collective as a neutral convener, thought leader and facilitator.
Our Impact: Elevating Success
25%
STAAR 3rd Grade Reading
49%
Higher Education Immediate Enrollment Rate
74%
Higher Education Graduation Rate
(4-Year Public Institutions of Higher Education)
25%
STAAR 3rd Grade Reading
49%
Higher Education Immediate Enrollment Rate
74%
Higher Education Graduation Rate
(4-Year Public Institutions of Higher Education)
To learn more about key student achievement indicators across the Cradle-to Career Educational Pathway and view sources for the statistics presented, view the 2021 RGV FOCUS Annual Report.
2021 RGV FOCUS Annual Report