A pair of bills approaching a vote in the Texas House will significantly expand state power over local school districts. The bills, authored by Senator Bettencourt and Representative Dutton, are aimed at Houston ISD but will impact all public school districts in the state. The two legislators are impatient for the Texas Education Agency to take over HISD. The district is the first to fight the TEA in court, delaying the change in control for the past year. Read more

This is a hard week for public education in the Texas Legislature. Can you lend a hand to try to stop these bad bills? Here are four things you can do pretty fast. Read more

SB 28 is one of the top priorities for Lieutenant Governor Dan Patrick. The House Public Education Committee will be hearing SB 28 on Tuesday morning. Read more

It is Budget Day in the Texas House. Watch here.  Texas officials haven't distributed $17.9 billion for schools in the last 2 federal COVID relief packages. Some worry Texas officials will use the money to supplant (replace) state funding already in draft budgets in the #txlege. Read more

The Chauvin verdict is first step towards a better future as an anti-racist society. Our justice system, our schools, our communities- everything depends on equity, fairness and a commitment to those who have been historically denied access, opportunity and the right to a long and fulfilling life. Together we are stronger. Read more

In this issue: Mariachis and Cornyn, Opt Out , Labor Canvass for teachers this weekend Do you enjoy Mariachis and advocacy? Join United We Dream on TUE to demand that Sen Cornyn supports a pathway to citizenship! Come out on Tuesday, April 6th - 11AM CT outside of Senator Cornyn’s Office located in 5300 Memorial Drive, Houston TX 77007!   Read more

COVID cases are spiking again, but the TEA Commissioner is pushing parents to take the first round of STAAR next week! Read below for Opt Out 101 Read more

Senator Paul Bettencourt has declared war on public education. The newest state takeover bill (SB 1365) and the charter bill (SB 28), both authored by Senator Paul Bettencourt, will be heard in committee today (3/25.)  These bills give the Texas Education Agency (TEA) commissioner more power than ever before to dismantle school districts and to commandeer state and federal funds with impunity. Read more

Can you come to the Ride for Public Ed and Phone Jam at the Houston Region 4 Building (proxy for TEA) on Monday, March 15th? RSVP here. Read more

Earlier this week Diane Ravitch wrote in her blog that “The Biden administration chose a pro-testing advocate, Ian Rosenblum of Education Trust New York, to announce the decision that states must administer the federally mandated tests this spring." Read more