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Policy Priorities

An ideal public school system would provide equitable, well-funded, and high-quality education for all students, regardless of socioeconomic background. Thus, the state should:
 

  • Increase the basic allotment. Texas schools are facing a massive funding gap due to rising inflation and expenses. For many districts, the cost of basic educational needs, such as teacher salaries, classroom supplies, and facility maintenance, has outpaced the revenue from local property taxes and state funding. Increasing the basic allotment would provide schools with more state funding per student, helping to bridge the funding gap.

  • Create an inclusive and welcoming learning environment. This isn't just a buzzword—educational spaces need to be welcoming to foster an environment were students and staff are comfortable. Otherwise, education takes a backseat to other priorities, and students cannot learn as efficiently.

  • ​Strengthen teacher support and retention. Teachers are the backbone of any successful education system. Competitive salaries, robust benefits, and opportunities for professional development are critical to attracting and retaining high-quality educators. 

  • Ensure equitable access to advanced coursework and extracurriculars. Access to AP, IB, dual credit, and career and technical education (CTE) programs should not depend on a student’s zip code. State funding and policy should aim to expand these opportunities in underserved schools, ensuring that all students have a pathway to college and career readiness. Similarly, extracurriculars like band, sports, robotics, and student government provide valuable skills and experiences. Ensuring that all students have equal access to these programs would promote a more well-rounded education.

  • Maintain bias-free state standards that prioritize critical thinking. Education should empower students to analyze information, engage in civil discourse, and think independently. State standards must be free from political and ideological influence, ensuring that students receive a balanced and fact-based education.

Legislation Watchlist: High Concern

SB24

Relating to the inclusion of an understanding of communist regimes and ideologies in the essential knowledge and skills for the social studies curriculum for public school students.

SB24 imposes a one-sided curriculum on K-12 students by highlighting atrocities committed under communist regimes while neglecting to provide a balanced understanding of communism’s ideological foundations. It also fails to address historical atrocities linked to capitalist systems, resulting in an incomplete and politically skewed portrayal of economic and political history.

SB2/HB3

Relating to the establishment of an education savings account program.

Vouchers undermine Texas public schools by diverting enrollment-based funding to private institutions; vouchers under SB2/HB3 are worth $3,000+ more than the basic allotment for public schools. Private schools are not obligated to admit all student applicants—they can discriminate against certain groups—and are not held to the same accountability standards as traditional public schools.

SB10

Relating to the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms.

SB10 mandates the display of the Ten Commandments in all Texas public school classrooms. This measure violates the First Amendment rights—granted by the Establishment Clause—of all students and staff, and risks alienating students and staff from diverse backgrounds and minority cultures. Additionally, SB10 is in direct violation of Stone v. Graham; thus, the passage of this bill will result in costly legal battles—wasting taxpayer money.

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