Abilene ISD is proud to share exciting news: Stafford Elementary has earned designation from the Texas Education Agency as one of just four inaugural Resource Campuses across the entire state of Texas!
“I’m incredibly proud of our amazing teachers and staff at Stafford,” Principal Melissa Scott said. “They make our school a special place for every student and their families. We will continue to do whatever it takes to help them succeed in our classrooms."
The Resource Campus designation recognizes schools that have successfully implemented research-backed strategies to increase student growth and achievement. Created by the Texas Legislature and supported by the TEA, the designation is the latest milestone in Stafford’s positive trajectory as a leader in innovative teaching and learning.
“TEA is proud to celebrate with Abilene ISD as we recognize Stafford Elementary, one of the first-ever campuses to receive the Resource Campus designation in Texas,” said TEA Director of System Support Chris DeWitt. “This cohort of campuses is leading the way in implementing proven strategies that strengthen instruction, expand learning time, and ensure students are taught by highly effective educators, all while bringing additional financial resources directly to the campus.”
As part of the district’s Building Brighter Futures initiative, this designation provides Stafford with ongoing state funding to sustain long-term strategies that ensure the right educator tools and resources are in place to help every student thrive.
“This is an exciting accomplishment for the Stafford community,” Abilene ISD Superintendent Dr. John Kuhn said. “I am confident that Stafford students and staff will continue to build on their momentum as we invest in what matters most: ensuring that every AISD student has access to exceptional learning experiences.”
On a daily basis, Resource Campuses like Stafford operate under an Accelerating Campus Excellence (ACE) framework to support student-centered strategies, including:
Attracting and retaining highly effective, TIA-designated teachers
Using rigorous, research-based curriculum and instructional materials
Extending learning time so students have more opportunities to grow
Supporting whole-child growth with positive behavior systems and family engagement
Texas schools implementing the ACE framework have achieved encouraging results. Statewide data shows that students who participate in extended learning time programs experience higher achievement and growth in both math and reading. Additionally, teachers in these programs remain in their roles longer and demonstrate stronger instruction and higher alignment to academic standards. State data also shows that ACE campuses often improve their accountability ratings rapidly.
Congratulations to the Stafford community on this historic achievement!