ISSUE Note: Updated to reflect that HB 141 has been referred to the House Public Education Committee. The Texas GOP is trying to put into law Greg Abbott’s current executive order regarding mask mandates. This bill is fodder for the far, far right-wing base. The data is clear–masks help stop the spread of COVID-19–and schools […]
Masks Save Lives; Protect Our Kids!
ISSUE COVID-19 infection and hospitalization rates in Texas continue to skyrocket, yet Governor Greg Abbott refuses to protect our children by requiring masks be worn on public school campuses. Worse, he has said that no jurisdiction in Texas can pass a mask mandate…including schools! Right now less than 15% of kids 12-17 years old are […]
Protect Public Education
The quality of public education in Texas is under threat from several bills. Other bills that would improve public education will die if they are not heard and approved this week. The Bad HB 3979 would severely limit how educators teach history and social studies. It would also keep students from participating in civic activities […]
Keep Control of School Districts in Local Hands (SB 1365)
ISSUE Democratically elected school boards are essential because they know best when it comes to managing local education efforts. They are responsible to the communities they serve. But the authority of those elected positions is under attack. Senate Bill 1365 would disenfranchise voters by allowing the appointed commissioner of the Texas Education Agency (TEA) to […]
Don’t Limit Free Speech and Engagement in Classrooms (HB 3979)
ISSUE House Bill 3979 would control how educators can teach history and social studies students. It targets the diversity and inclusion efforts already underway in public schools across Texas. HB 3979 is part of a trend nationwide to keep educators and students from discussing and learning from history and current events. This trend would prohibit […]
Reduce Excessive Student Testing and Stress (HB 764)
ISSUE Texas requires more standardized tests than federal law requires, and requires that each student pass these tests to advance or graduate. Because this kind of testing has cultural and learning-style biases, many students are being held back until they give up on school and drop out. The loss of instructional time and flexibility from […]
Budget Action for SB 1 In Conference Committee
MAY 10 UPDATE ISSUE Both the Senate and House have passed their versions of the appropriations bill (SB 1). A conference committee is now deciding how to reconcile the differences in the bills, which will determine how much money will be spent for the next two fiscal years. This stage of the budget process will […]
Reduce Excessive Standardized Testing (HB 3668)
ISSUE In the 1990s, Texas pioneered using extensive, high-stakes standardized tests as a tool to improve schools. The results have been mixed—standardized-test scores have increased, but college professors find students are less prepared for the kind of deep learning that will lead to successful careers. Texas requires more standardized tests than federal law requires, and […]
Keep Local Control of Charter School Expansions (SB 28)
COMMITTEE HEARING ON WEDNESDAY, APRIL 28 ISSUE Senate Bill 28, which will be heard in House Public Education Committee on Wednesday, April 28, would remove the power of local governments and the State Board of Education (SBOE) to limit the expansion of charter schools. It would allow all charter school operators to site campuses wherever […]
Limit PreK Class Size to Improve Education Quality (HB 41)
ISSUE In order for our youngest learners to receive all the benefits of preK instruction, we must limit teacher/student ratios in classes. The Texas Education Agency (TEA) recommends that there be at least 1 teacher or teacher’s aid per 11 students in every prekindergarten classroom throughout Texas. This ratio helps ensure that children who have […]
Address Students’ Mental Health Needs (HBs 2465 and 2954)
ISSUE Texas statistics tell us that more than 6 million people have been diagnosed with mental health issues across the state and at least 19% of children have suicidal ideations at some point during their formative years. The likelihood of a child facing these struggles or knowing someone who does increases every day. Currently, mental […]
Support Charter School Accountability (HB 97, 450, 1249)
ISSUE Traditional public schools lose millions of dollars each year to charter schools, which don’t have the same accountability and aren’t held to the same standards. Charter schools can selectively admit students, don’t have to notify residents of an area about a planned new school, and are not required to make their financial reports available […]
Improve Public Education Accountability. Ensure HB 1867 Gets a Hearing and Passes!
ACT THROUGH APRIL 30 ISSUE The public education accountability system grades students and schools based on standardized test scores–just one test on one day during a school year. Research has shown this is a flawed approach that not only doesn’t improve student learning but actually traumatizes many students. Teachers and schools are held accountable for […]
Keep Control of Schools Local (SB 28 and 1365)
ISSUE Senate Bill 28 would remove the power of local governments and the State Board of Education to limit the expansion of charter schools. It would allow charter schools to site their campuses wherever and whenever they want, without local government oversight or review by the State Board of Education. Senate Bill 1365 gives wide […]
Rein in Harmful Charter School Expansion!
ISSUE Current state law favors charter schools over locally-controlled independent school districts. Under current law, charter schools: Receive on average $1,150 per student more state funding, money that could be used to improve local public schools. Do not comply with spending and reporting requirements followed by independent school districts. Continue to expand without the oversight […]