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Dear John,
We have mixed news in the fight to defend public education in Texas. Friday, the Republican majority on the State Board of Education (SBOE) bowed to the demands of extremists rather than help Texas schools teach the truth in social studies classes. But better news came when most Republicans joined with board Democrats to send a strong message to legislators: Stop trying to pass a private school voucher scheme.
Vouchers Rejected
A board majority officially went on record opposing efforts to divert tax dollars from public schools to private and religious schools through vouchers. State Republican leaders, including Gov. Greg Abbott and Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick, have said they will push to pass a voucher bill next year.
We know this fight is far from ove r—elected officials will continue to threaten public education and target LGBTQIA+ students during the legislative session next year. We need your voice at the lege to make sure that doesn't happen. [[link removed]]
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Social Studies Overhaul Killed
After months of debate, Republicans on the state board slammed the door shut on any further efforts to improve flawed social studies standards (which are decades old). This happened after far-right pressure groups launched a campaign of lies attacking proposed drafts of new standards written by teams of teachers and scholars. Those drafts did a much better job addressing the experiences of the diverse communities that make up our state while removing right-wing propaganda from the 2010 standards.
In final votes this week, the Republican majority rejected efforts to include even some of those improvements and adopted minimally revised standards instead. That means the education of Texas students will continue to be guided by outdated and politicized standards for at least another four years.
Let us be clear: Our Teach the Truth campaign [[link removed]] and TFN will continue working with other public education advocates to reject censorship, book bans, and far-right efforts to whitewash the past.
Texas kids deserve better, and we’re ready to fight for them.
In solidarity,
Emerald Belmarez (she/hers)
TFN Organizing Strategist
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TFN is a statewide non-partisan, grassroots organization that is building an informed and effective movement working toward equality and social justice.
Texas Freedom Network
P.O. Box 1624
Austin, TX 78767
United States
Phone: (512) 322-0545
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