Education in Texas: What’s at Stake in the 2024 Elections?

Texas voters have a lot to think about when it comes to education this election year. The COVID-19 pandemic left many students with learning gaps, and there are still concerns about teachers getting enough training before they hit the classroom. Since the Uvalde tragedy, schools are struggling to pay for security upgrades. Plus, there's a big debate going on about whether public money should go towards private schooling. Let’s break down what’s happening and who you should watch in this election. Your local school board makes many of the decisions that affect your neighborhood public school. They decide on things like the district budget, hiring or firing the superintendent, and even whether students can have their phones on campus. These elections usually happen in May. State elected officials also play a big role by deciding how local schools get funded and what students need to learn to graduate. And don’t forget about Washington—they control things like enforcing student rights and how schools use federal money. Recently, there have been some important changes. Texas public school funding is based on complicated formulas, with a basic amount per child called the “basic allotment. ” This amount hasn't increased since 2019 and stays at $6,160. Efforts to raise this were blocked last session due to fights over education savings accounts, which would let families use public money for private school tuition. Governor Abbott is expected to push for this again soon. The State Board of Education reviews lesson plans and textbooks based on Texas standards. They’re currently considering new learning materials that include religious stories. Supporters say this helps students understand literary references better, but critics worry about the growing influence of Christianity in public schools. Additionally, the Legislature banned diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) offices and programs at public colleges and universities. Schools could lose millions if they don’t follow this new rule. As for key races to watch, state House and Senate races are crucial for education issues. The upcoming presidency will also affect student loan forgiveness and civil rights enforcement. In North Texas, there are a couple of notable races: Republican Helen Kirwin vs. Libertarian Richard Windmann in House District 58, and Republican Shelley Luther vs. Democrat Tiffany Drake in House District 62. For the State Board of Education, check out Districts 12 (Pam Little vs. George King) and 11 (Brandon Hall vs. Rayna Glasser vs. Hunter Crow). Want to learn more about the candidates? Our Voter Guide will be available on September 30. You can also find more about key education issues at dallasnews. com/education.