Education
The Texas Constitution of 1876 guarantees children the right to a free public education because it is “essential to the preservation of the liberties and rights of the people.” Those words reference the long-established thought of those like Thomas Jefferson who argued that public education is essential to preserving a democracy, and that the democracy had the duty to provide that education universally. Nevertheless, our body politic has long suffered the iniquities of racism, sectarianism, and self-interest in the provision of a public education that threatens our children and our democracy. People of faith continue to be essential advocates for an adequate and equitable system of public education so that every child has the opportunity to fulfill their human potential.
TAKE ACTION
Send a Letter to Legislators: Public Dollars Belong in Public Schools
Make sure your legislators know you oppose vouchers! Even if you’re sure your legislator is with you on the issue, they still need to know that you are with them and will have their back when they are taking the tough votes.
Add Your Name: Texans Oppose Public School Chaplains
Make sure your school board members know Texans of faith and conscience don’t want chaplains in our public schools. Add your name to the petition now!
UPCOMING EVENTS
Events
NEWS + UPDATES
March 5: Where Do We Go From Here?
For ten years, the Texas Legislature has been a divided body. The extreme wing of the Republican Party controlled the Senate and the traditional wing of the Republican Party...
Texas Public Schools Are Still Safe for Every Faith
Since last summer, our members have been urging their local school boards not to create a “new school chaplain program” as required by SB 763. Overwhelmingly, Texas school boards...
Texas’s March Primaries: What’s at stake
Texas’s March Primaries: What’s at stake The future of public education in Texas will be decided in the party primaries. The next month is particularly crucial. ...
Thank Your Legislator for Supporting Public Schools: Order a Yard Sign
Thank your legislator for supporting Texas public schools: display a yard sign letting them know you appreciate their courage and commitment! Signs are 1-sided, and include a...
Take Action Now: Say NO to Vouchers
Since the first week of October, Texas Impact has collected nearly 4,000 letters signed by people of faith from across Texas telling their representatives they oppose a private...
Religious Liberty Groups Praise Districts Rejecting Public School Chaplains
Texas chaplains are leading the fight against “chaplains” replacing counselors in public schools.AUSTIN—More than ten Texas school districts already rejected the option to...
PROGRAMMING
Ep. 344 Why DEI?: The Chilling Effect of SB17
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs in Texas colleges came under fire in the last legislative session. The passage of SB17 has been controversial with many students and faculty over the elimination of these programs. This week we are…
Read MoreEp. 343 Modern Plagues
This week we are joined by Emily Bourgeois, Community Organizer of RAC-Texas, the Religious Action Center of Reform Judaism—one of Texas Impact’s member institutions. We always enjoy working with Emily across a range of policy issues, including…
Read MoreEp. 342 No Shade to the Polar Bears
This week we are joined by Texas Impact’s Climate Action Fellow, Becca Edwards, to help prepare for Earth Day on April 22. Becca has been meeting with many congregations talking about climate change, liberation theology, how communities of faith can…
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