Three Republicans on the state Board of Education are facing a well-funded primary challenge from opponents with ultra-conservative ideologies, and the state's 15-member board, which sets education standards, faces a challenge in a well-funded primary by opponents with ultra-conservative ideologies. Preparations are being made for the possibility of the school board moving further to the right.
Depending on the results of the March 5 primary and ultimately the November general election, hardline conservatives could have a majority on the Republican-dominated board that sets the curriculum for Texas schools. There is.
Of the seven state education board candidates, three have participated in Republican primaries. The winners of these primaries will face Democratic candidates in November.
In the 10th Congressional District, which includes the Hill Country, parts of Williamson County and areas south of Dallas, both Republicans and Democrats are running against incumbent Tom Maynard and Round Rock City Schools Commissioner Mary Vaughn. Daniel “DC” Caldwell, who is running for office, is taking on the challenge. Primary election.
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In District 11, a small area in the Fort Worth area, Pat Hardy, a 20-year board veteran and former teacher, is being challenged by Brandon Hall, who has been involved in missionary work.
In the North Texas-based 12th Congressional District, incumbent and former textbook publisher Pam Little is facing three Republican challengers. Jamie Coleman is a real estate agent and former education analyst at the conservative Texas Public Policy Foundation. and ophthalmologist Matt Rostami.
Aside from its primary responsibilities of setting curriculum standards and reviewing and adopting educational materials, the state board also has other responsibilities such as approving charter schools, overseeing the Texas Permanent School Fund, setting graduation requirements, and reviewing regulations for certifying educators. going.
In the coming years, the board plans to release a new list of approved materials and revise social studies and math standards called Texas Essential Knowledge and Skills.
Texas Tech University education professor Jacob Kirksey said any major changes to the state board's composition would likely impact curriculum decisions for all Texas students.
The board is expected to approve a new social studies curriculum next year, but the process has been highly divisive on several issues, including adding information about the LGBTQ Pride movement and America's history of racism in 2022. The decision has been postponed to 2025.
“There's going to be a lot of opinions on what that is, based on partisan leanings,” Kirksey said.
Texas school districts have the autonomy to use any textbook to teach grade-level skills, but a new state law that gives schools funding to use materials approved by a state board gives districts more freedom to use materials approved by a state board. There is a strong possibility that there will be pressure to use books from other schools, he said, adding the school board's opinion. Tilt can drive agency policy on the back end.
“They're also political realists,” Kirksey said. “They’re not going to waste their time on something they know won’t get through the board.”
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Texas State Board of Education Candidates
Mr. Maynard, Mr. Hardy and Mr. Little say they came to the board after many years of service and gained invaluable experience. Incumbent lawmakers have proposed changes to the state commission, including an overhaul of the teacher certification process and changes to generate more money from the Permanent School Fund, a 160-year-old $52 billion fund that helps provide public funding. I've been campaigning on issues that are important to me. school.
“I think all three of us are very experienced,” Hardy said of the Republican incumbents. “We understand what's coming and we're working together very well.”
Little said the board has recently focused on approving high-quality instructional materials, an important step in improving student outcomes, among other issues.
Maynard, who has served on the board since 2012, said “conservative virtue signaling” does not advance student initiatives.
“I've resolved a lot of things just by picking up the phone and having a conversation, and I've advocated for a lot of parties in the process,” Maynard said.
In all three races, the incumbent's opponents are focused on the issues that Gov. Greg Abbott has spent the past year touring the state championing: educational options for students, such as charter schools and school choice. The campaign has been focused on increasing the number of children and programs using public funds. The governor has made it a right for parents to pay for private school tuition. and the elimination of liberal “woke ideology” curriculum in the classroom.
Hall, who is at odds with Hardy, has criticized courses on social-emotional learning that teach students to recognize and manage their emotions, as well as diversity, equity and inclusion programs in schools. Last year, the state Legislature passed a law banning DEI offices and initiatives at public universities.
“It complicates education and increases stress for teachers and students alike,” Hall said. “If you remove these things from the classroom, it will be easier to get back to the basics of education.”
Mr. Rostami, one of Mr. Little's opponents, has been campaigning for pro-American curriculum ideas, such as teaching more about the Declaration of Independence. Mr. Caldwell, who is running against Mr. Maynard, said he would like to see schools focus more on practical after-school skills and parental rights.
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Bourne, Green and Coleman did not respond to requests for comment from American Statesman.
The board has become more conservative over the past year after 2022 voters elected Republicans L.J. Francis of Corpus Christi and Julie Picklen of Pearland. Francis reversed his seat, increasing Republican control on the board to 10 members.
There is no incumbent in the District 1 seat, which will be decided in November between Democrat Gustavo Revelles and Republican Michael Stevens.
In the 3rd and 4th Congressional Districts, incumbent Democrats Marisa B. Perez-Diaz and Stacey Childs are running as independents in the primary and general election.
In the 15th District, Republican incumbent Aaron Kinsey and Democrat Morgan Kirkpatrick were unopposed in the primary and will face off in the general election.
Early voting for the primary ends Friday. Voting day is March 5th.
