Leadership and Instructional Foundations for Texas | LIFT
LIFT is a district-wide grant-funded, three-year program that brings together components of Strong Foundations, , and Texas Lesson Study to provide comprehensive support for districts adopting high-quality instructional materials (HQIM) and implementing Bluebonnet Learning. LIFT blends HQIM implementation and instructional leadership support together to create effective and sustainable learning environments for all students.
LIFT supports the sustainable implementation of HQIM using aligned tools and strong systems. LIFT begins with a needs assessment to evaluate a school system’s individual requirements, and across three years, LIFT customizes programming to the needs of each school system.
Learn about LIFT
LIFT has various pathways to meet each individual school system's needs and many benefits for all participants.
Application Entry Points
When school systems apply for the Learning Acceleration Support Opportunities (LASO) grant and are awarded funds, they will enter LIFT in one of two entry points based on their instructional readiness. A specific entry point determines whether a district begins with planning or implementation.
Planning Entry Point | A school system is preparing to adopt HQIM.
A school system is interested in adopting State Board of Education (SBOE)-approved HQIM and applying to LIFT for the planning year, and:
- Commits to selecting and implementing HQIM in the 2027–28 school year,
- Has not yet adopted Bluebonnet Learning, and
- Will undergo a needs assessment to customize their experience.
If, after the planning year, the school system determines that Bluebonnet Learning is not the right fit, they will transition out of LIFT.
Implementation Entry Point | A school system is implementing a Bluebonnet Learning product.
A school system has already adopted Bluebonnet Learning and is applying to LIFT for the implementation year, and:
- Commits to implementing Bluebonnet Learning in the 2026–27 school year,
- Has completed instructional materials selection and is preparing for rollout, and
- Will undergo a needs assessment to customize their experience.
Bluebonnet Learning Instructional Materials Support
LIFT will support all Bluebonnet Learning instructional materials that are SBOE-approved.
SBOE-Approved Instructional Materials:
- Bluebonnet Learning K–3 Foundational Skills, Edition 1
- Bluebonnet Learning K–5 RLA, Edition 1
- Bluebonnet Learning K–5 Math, Edition 1
- Bluebonnet Learning Secondary Mathematics, Edition 1 (including Grades 6–8 and Algebra I)
IMRA 2025 Instructional Materials*:
- Aprendizaje Bluebonnet Spanish Artes del lenguaje y lectura K–5
- Aprendizaje Bluebonnent, Destrezas fundamentales K–3
- Aprendizaje Bluebonnet Matemáticas K–5
- Aprendizaje Bluebonnet Matemáticas de Secundaria, Grade 6
- Bluebonnet Learning Secondary Mathematics, Edition 1 (Algebra II and Geometry)
*The SBOE is expected to meet in November to approve, reject, or take no action on instructional materials submitted in IMRA 2025. If the instructional materials are approved, LIFT will support them in the 2026–27 school year.
LIFT Benefits
School systems that participate in LIFT receive:
- Support in adopting and implementing HQIM, including technical assistance for planning and training teachers.
- Instructional leadership development coaching, feedback cycles, and schoolwide routines aligned to research-based instructional strategies (RBIS).
- Capacity-building for sustainable systems-level change, including performance management systems, and district-level instructional frameworks.
- Dedicated, sustained funding and access to vetted, approved providers that support implementation and accelerate student learning with grants, for up to three years.
Multi-Year Support Pathways
If awarded the LIFT grant, a school system will begin with a needs assessment to understand current instructional systems and materials. School systems will receive tailored support through various pathways based on the needs assessment and the school system's instructional readiness.
Each pathway is designed to guide a school system through a multi-year process of building sustainable instructional systems and implementing HQIM.
Pathway 1: Starting Out
School systems that have not previously adopted HQIM and are interested in adopting HQIM* and/or Bluebonnet Learning will be considered Starting Out and will likely go through the following three phases:
- Planning
- Implementation
- Deeper Implementation
*School systems that adopt HQIM other than Bluebonnet Learning are only eligible for the planning year of LIFT.
Pathway 2: Ready to Implement
School systems preparing to implement Bluebonnet Learning instructional materials for the first time in the 2026–27 school year and are applying to LIFT for the implementation phase will be considered Ready to Implement and will likely go through the following three phases:
- Implementation
- Deeper Implementation
- Sustainability
Pathway 3: Currently Implementing
School systems that previously engaged in Strong Foundations Implementation in the 2025–26 school year for Bluebonnet Learning K–5 Reading Language Arts (RLA) and K–5 Math instructional materials and plan to continue implementation in the 2026–27 school year will be considered Currently Implementing and will likely go through the following three phases:
- Implementation
- Deeper Implementation
- Sustainability
Application Process
Local school systems can apply to the LIFT program through the LASO grant application. Unique LASO grant application links were emailed to school system superintendents on October 1, 2025. School systems can complete a to receive a new link, if needed.
A PDF of the application is posted on LASO Cycle 4 Grant and Allotment Programs; however, school systems must apply using the LASO grant Qualtrics application using their unique application link. Applications must be signed by the superintendent to be accepted.
Email: Lift@tea.texas.gov