Session Toolkit
The 86th Legislative Session has officially begun and it’s poised to be one of the most critical for public education in recent memory. We created this Session Toolkit to provide up-to-date information about what...
From Migrant Farmer to Future Teacher
From Migrant Farmer to Future Teacher How a migrant farmworker defied the odds through personal determination and family sacrifice. In April 1995, Raquel Pérez’s family left Edinburg, Texas at 3 a.m. to drive north....
Letter to the Texas Commission on School Finance
Raise Your Hand Texas appreciates the work of the Texas Commission on School Finance. We recently sent a letter to members of the commission expressing our gratitude and outlining our considerations prior to the...
VIDEO: This is Where the Future Begins
Anyone who recently has set foot in a public school knows incredible and important work is unfolding under increasingly challenging circumstances. And inside the school walls, teachers and school leaders know that this is...
VIDEO: Greatness Starts in Pre-K
From scales to symphonies. From counting to calculus. The seeds of greatness are planted early. High-quality, full-day pre-K provides an environment where the seeds of greatness can take root. Where talent, innovation, ingenuity, and...
5 things needed in any Texas school finance plan
As we’ve traveled the state, people have told us they are primarily concerned about two things: property tax relief and school finance. They also recognize these two issues are intertwined—both need to be addressed...
The Student Voice
The Student Voice Students across Texas describe the blended learning experience in their own It is not unusual for schools and educators to try new approaches to improve student learning. But how often do...
Who Really Funds Public Schools?
Our new explainer video shows how we fund Texas schools and how the current system is not serving students or taxpayers. Understanding how public schools are funded is the first step to strengthening our...
Reading Between the Line Items: Three things TEA’s budget request tells us about our public school system
The Texas public school system is large and continues to grow. Schools districts and charters educate more than 5.3 million students in 8,700 schools across our state and employ approximately 350,000 educators. The system...
Voices From the Field: Empowering Young Women to Lead
Our Voices from the Field series features students, teachers, and school leaders who make an impact in Texas public schools. For Malinda Villalobos, the Ysleta ISD principal of Ysleta Young Women's Leadership Academy, the...
