Seeing through the chaos in Texas schools

Most of us believe that all kids – no matter their race, religion, background, or zip code – should have the freedom and opportunity to learn, and want to equip Texas schools with the resources needed to deliver quality education that prepares our kids for the future.​

Over the last few years, teachers and district leaders across the state have done tough work providing safe learning opportunities for students coming out of a global pandemic, responding to new and changing state requirements, and dealing with politicians who fight against funding our schools or try to write certain groups out of history books and libraries.​

It’s not just our district. Like many areas of the country, our educators face harassment and chaos from political groups and extremists seeking to destroy public school systems. They shout, disrupt, and try to be the loudest voices in the room, representing themselves as the voice of our community. In fact, many do not have children who attend our schools.

This small, loud group would like to ban books, implement strict dress codes, reject investment in public education and enact policies and laws that undermine public education, in favor of shifting our tax dollars to pay for private religious schools.

The issues they raise – from book banning to dress codes and bond funding – may vary from week to week and month to month.  But, their topics of the moment don’t speak to their real agenda. In fact, when no longer useful, they will pivot from any issue to the next at a moment’s notice. As informed parents, we watch for the pivots.

The same trends are happening across Texas and the United States, and they’re not happening by chance. Wealthy donors and PACs, including organizations like the True Texas Project, Texas Values, and Moms for Liberty, push issues in the Leander area and are doing the same in other Texas schools, including Round Rock ISD, Carroll ISD, Grapevine-Colleyville ISD, Irving ISD, Keller ISD, and Plano ISD, Spring Branch ISD, Katy ISD, and others.

The real goal of their intentional chaos is to distract and inflame. They use the drama and exaggerated performances to record themselves and each other, to amplify on social media and gain attention, video views, and clicks. They’re trying to grow their audience and build support for their real issue: overthrowing school boards and city councils to enforce their own views and push for de-funding public education. 

But their disinformation campaigns are old and tired. Instead, let’s stick to the facts, focus on our kids, and engage in real discussions about how we can find the best outcomes for everyone, together.