Texas, Along With North Carolina, Has Made The Greatest Gain In Overall Student Achievement In Math And Reading, According To The National Education Goals Panel. (David Grissmer and Ann Flanagan, "Exploring Achievement Gains in North Carolina and Texas," National Education Goals Panel, November 1998)

Rand Study Ranks Texas 1st. "A study released last month by the Rand Corp. ranked Texas first in the U.S. in educating children, when measured by comparing students with similar family backgrounds. Officials also cite the shrinking gap in Texas between the scores of minority students and their white peers. In 1994, 28% of blacks and 34% of Hispanics in 10th grade passed the exam. This year 67% and 70% respectively did." (Jodie Morse, "Does Texas Make The Grade? All Eyes Are On Bush’s State As It Leads The Nation In Showing Promise- And Pitfalls — Of Testing," Time, September 11, 2000)