Recent times have seen Texas shine bright in a few key areas — a more stable economy compared to other states, state tax policies aiding in growth of business and the mastery of project-based learning (PBL) while other areas are just warming up to the concept. The state has gone a step further to set up the public-private initiative of Communities Foundation of Texas, which is better known as "Educate Texas."

The focus is to strengthen the public education system, curb dropout rates, prepare students actively for college and their success in it and ultimately create the foundation for superior performance in their respective careers. Indirectly, this will likely lead to a creation of a superior workforce, which could be conducive to further indigenous growth.

The alliance between the private and public sectors has brought together powerful resources and has strategically connected the stakeholders from diverse areas. This alliance has connected the funders, business leaders and legislators with the school administrators and teachers as well as various civic groups.

The program effectively leverages the power collaboration to create immense possibilities for students and their future. Launched in 2004, it is closely interlinked with the Texas High School Project (THSP), which focused on making sweeping changes in low-income demographics and low-performing schools.

It used private funds for all pilot programs that would break through the usual barriers and problems and then used public funds to replicate these successful endeavors in other schools. Partners include names like the Michael & Susan Dell Foundation, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and leading corporate entities.

In December, Texas Gov. Rick Perry announced the Cognizant STEM grant of $150,000 to Texas A&M University. Commenting on recent developments, Perry said that Texas employers don't have to worry whether they will always get an educated, knowledgeable or industry-ready workforce. It is being created right here while the state also focuses on attracting more investments and create more opportunities for this workforce.

Texas is a prime example of an exemplary workforce and a strong business community that have combined to create a more robust state economy. The initial capital of $35 million has been strategically invested for this purpose and has shown tremendous impact and growth in the last decade.

At the 10-year anniversary of the innovative and revolutionary program, now is a good time to reflect and see how it has affected Texan students. A key focus was to introduce and establish college-ready practices and standards throughout Texas schools. Effective postsecondary access has led to veritable results that show a higher percentage of STEM students and overall performance excellence across the state.

There is a strong focus on the human capital as well with concentrated efforts to improve and create an exemplary workforce, top-quality teachers, administrators, principals and superintendents and board members who can aid in this endeavor.

It has given policymakers, administrators and the state a taste of success, and they are more focused than ever to take the program further. The fact that education is still a hot topic in Texan elections is quite evident in the latest plans and policies released by electoral candidates.

Gubernatorial candidate Wendy Davis stated in a release that focus and funds need to be directed to creating a workforce that will create a superior education structure and also attract more students to the role of teaching so that they can impart their knowledge and be more involved in the Educate Texas program.