On February 3, Representatives from the House Democratic Caucus hosted a virtual press conference to call for attention to the burdensome uncertainty teachers, students and families are facing due to the governor’s silence on key public education issues.
During the event, Texas House Democrats called for the extension of the hold-harmless provision that allows schools to be fully funded at pre-pandemic levels.
“Our teachers, families and school staff deserve to know the state has their backs,” said Rep. John Bucy (D-Austin). “The Governor has the power to instruct TEA to extend hold harmless. Should he chose not to do that, we will fight for fully funded schools in our budget.”
They also called for the cancellation of the in-person STAAR test.
“We cannot ask our schools to take on the burden of scheduling in=person STAARs for all 5 million children and thousands of employees while in the middle of a life-threatening pandemic,” said Rep. Alma Allen (D-Houston).
The press conference was led by Rep. Mary González (D-Clint), and was also attend by Representatives Rhetta Bowers (D-Garland), Art Fierro (D-El Paso), Vikki Goodwin (D-Austin) and Ana Hernandez (D-Houston).
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