As the final special session of the 88th Texas Legislative Session ended, Governor Greg Abbott had a decision to make.
He could acquiesce to the members in the Texas House who supported their communities over a far-reaching plan to provide public funds for students who attend private schools.
Another option could have been to call the members back into session and force them to pass a voucher plan. Of course, that would bleed into the holidays and make the members more resistant to the Governor’s obsession with funding private schools.
The Governor decided to declare war on and work to defeat those he targeted in the primary and general elections.
By the end of the 2024 primary and general election season, Abbott had successfully defeated almost all the Texas House Members he targeted. He cannibalized his own party to pass voucher legislation even if it might not be beneficial to communities and children.
Looking ahead to the 89th Texas Legislative Session, public education is in the crosshairs of the Governor, the Lieutenant Governor, and most importantly, of the newly formed House of Representatives.
Some of the legislation that TEPSA predicts to be filed includes:
- Providing taxpayer money to fund tuition for students to attend private schools and/or home schools.
- Banning lobbyists who represent local governments and school leaders, like those who represent TEPSA and organizations such as TASA, TASB, Texas PTA, cities and counties.
- Using outcomes-based funding based on a students’ standardized test scores.
- Creating an Office of Inspector General at the Texas Education Agency (TEA) which would give broad powers to the commissioner of education.
- Making state control of curriculum broader.
- Limiting local control of schools.
- Limiting or eliminating the State Board of Education’s veto authority on charter schools.
- Expanding Charter Schools by:
- Providing eminent domain powers to charter schools.
- Allowing charter schools to have students’ data before a weighted application process which allow selective enrollment.
- Exempting charter schools from TEA investigations.
The list of bills that could harm local school districts will most certainly increase. TEPSA will be at the forefront in providing our members with the latest information on what the Texas Legislature proposes as the Session progresses.
With a word of caution, TEPSA will be calling on all our members to make their voices heard. We predict all educators, but especially administrators, will be under the microscope on how we and our members advocate for specific legislation. Look for TEPSA to provide you with information on how to use your constitutionally protected voice as you advocate for children and your community.
Your voice matters! Our advocacy efforts, including the TEPSA Advocacy Committee, the TEPSA Advocacy Network, and members across Texas who heed our calls to action regarding legislative proposals can have a significant impact on outcomes. In the last legislative session, more than 812 TEPSANs made 1,400 contacts with legislators through TEPSA’s text-based advocacy system. Our members influenced and informed members in the legislature through those contacts. You made the difference on many bills either becoming law or dying in committee.
In early February, TEPSA volunteer leaders will visit legislators at the State Capitol to share the Association’s 2025 legislative priorities including equitable funding, safe schools, a strong educator workforce, retirement benefits and more. Read the full list of priorities.
Please commit to being an advocate for your students, your school, and your community! Join TEPSA’s Advocacy Network. You’ll receive alerts and notices about impending votes on bills that could impact your students and learning community.
We’re in this together! If you have legislative or advocacy questions, please email Mark.
Mark Terry is Deputy Executive Director at TEPSA. Follow @TEPSAtalk or @TEPSAmark.
