The 86th Legislative Session – aka “the education session”- has come and gone. It leaves behind increased funding for public schools, higher teacher pay, funding for full-day pre K, updated weights for many populations, and more. Every day there is another article talking about why education dominated the legislative session, and each article says the same thing – educators (and Texans who care about their public schools) voted. Here is one example from today’s Texas Tribune.
If you have even a lingering doubt about whether your vote counts, think about all of the bills proposed that aimed to silence you, make it harder to vote, and chill civic engagement. Most died, but they put up a good fight. These bills were filed in direct response to you voting. Some people in charge were counting on you sleeping through another election cycle, and your civic engagement changed the landscape and drove the conversation. Your vote made elected officials more accountable to you. That’s how democracy is supposed to work. You should feel proud, strong, and powerful. Well done!
It was a good session, but we are still very far behind in funding our schools relative to most states. We made serious progress and it was a good first step, but our work is not done. We may have moved up from 43rd in per student spending to 42nd, but it will take a long-term plan and a lot more money in future sessions to get us up to the average.
Without increased civic engagement and voter turnout, this first step would not have happened. Pat yourself on the back. Then, get ready to do it again. Start thinking about how you will create a culture of voting (or strengthen one you have started building) when school is back in session. Will you use the League of Women Voters’ civics curriculum to engage your students? Will you make sure at convocation that every single member of your staff knows that civic engagement and modeling that behavior for students is a core value in your schools and district? The next elections will take place before the legislature meets again. Educators must stay engaged to see further progress and an ever-stronger democracy.
Thank you,
Laura Yeager
Texas Educators Vote