Fort Bend ISD is investing in its faculty as a part of its FBISD Redesigned program, including a district leadership pipeline initiative dubbed Fort Bend ISD Leads.
In a nutshell
The Fort Bend ISD Leads program aims to internally invest in and develop high-quality leaders to establish a bench-ready succession plan, said Jaretha Jordan, deputy superintendent of teaching and learning, at an April 20 board meeting.
“Leadership matters, and because of our Aspire, Ascend and our Accelerate cadres, the future in Fort Bend ISD is so bright,” she said.
How it works
Depending on their current position, Fort Bend ISD Leads is available for staff through three different pathways, including:
Aspire
- Launched in the 2022-23 school year
- Available for faculty members who want to become assistant principals
- Bench-ready experiences: learning sessions among participants, individual coaching, job-embedded learning and interview practice
Ascend- Launched in the 2025-26 school year
- Available for assistant and associate principals who have a desire to be principals
- Bench-ready experiences: learning sessions and coaching, a learning exchange to strengthen critical thinking and solving real-world problems and capstone projects
Accelerate- Launched in the 2025-26 school year
- Available for associate principals who are set to be principals
- Bench-ready experiences: individual learning plan, a mutual learning partnership that promotes collaboration and individual coaching, and mentorship
The district will also launch a new Elevate pathway for the 2026-27 school year, which will provide opportunities for principals who wish to move to central office members, officials said. Program details for Elevate are still being finalized.
Funding for FBISD Leads is already included in the district’s general operating budget, with current members already FBISD salaried employees, officials said.
What’s next?
The selection process for the upcoming 2026-27 FBISD Leads program will take place this summer, with enrollment totals based on district needs, projected vacancies and staff interest, district officials said.
