The Texas Schools Project is possible because the State of Texas has been a leader in the development and use of administrative databases for accountability purposes. Moreover, the state has a long history of statewide testing of public school students. The TSP is continually fostering new relationships to strengthen the effectiveness of breakthrough educational research. For example, TSP is currently in negotiation with several large school districts to obtain student-teacher classroom level matches.

The TSP is grateful for the cooperation and assistance of many public agencies. The Texas Education Agency, the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board, and the Texas Workforce Commission in particular have provided the core of the administrative data necessary to track student progress and evaluate educational policy alternatives.

The mission of the Texas Education Agency is to build the capacity of the Texas public education system to provide all students a quality education that enables them to achieve their potential and fully participate now and in the future in the social, economic and educational opportunities of our state and nation. The TEA manages the textbook adoption process, oversees development of the statewide curriculum, administers the statewide assessment program, administers a data collection system on public school students, staff, and finances, rates school districts under the statewide accountability system, operates research and information programs, monitors for compliance with federal guidelines and serves as a fiscal agent for the distribution of state and federal funds.

The Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board was created by the Texas Legislature in 1965 to "provide leadership and coordination for the Texas higher education system to achieve excellence for the college education of Texas students." The Board’s overall responsibilities include assessment of the state of higher education in Texas, development of recommendations to the Governor, Legislature and institutions for its enhancement and the establishment of policies for the efficient and effective use of the state’s higher education resources. The Board also ensures that all Texans have access to high quality programs at different instructional levels.