Education in Texas

Educators and families across Texas have been emailing and messaging, asking for a stance on education! I'm grateful that they reached out and offered concerns, suggestions, and solutions. I want to share the full message I've been recieving:

Dear Ms. Schroeder,

As a Texas voter in your district, I appreciate efforts to improve our public school accountability system and join parents across the state who believe student success should be measured by more than one standardized test.

Over reliance on STAAR or similar tests does not reflect the full range of skills students need for college, careers, and community life. A strong A–F system should use multiple measures such as student growth, teacher retention, career readiness, access to rigorous coursework, and meaningful parent and family engagement to capture real learning, school quality, and community partnership.

As early voting begins, we are reminded of the importance of an accountability system that focuses on what truly matters to Texas families: preparing students for the future.

Our kids deserve schools, and an accountability system, that reflect our highest expectations for them.

I agree with what they've sent, and this is my response:

Thank you for taking the time to send this message! I agree, our public schools deserve so much better. I am committed to supporting real, sustainable solutions that start with accountability. 

All of the metrics you’ve mentioned - student growth, teacher retention, career readiness, access to rigorous coursework, and meaningful parent and family engagement to capture real learning, school quality, and community partnership - are vital to understanding what is working and what is lacking within our school systems. The burden of success shouldn’t be placed on the shoulders of our students, but on the systems within the schools that teach them. Testing needs to be changed - and I need to hear from educators what solutions make the most sense. 

I have already committed to the chief complaint of our district regarding public schools: I will not support the voucher program that is diverting away from our public schools. It was rushed legislation that I do not support. 

I would love to hear more of your thoughts, and the thoughts of the others who are sending this petition. I can set up a meet and greet specifically to talk about school issues. Let me know if that’s something you’d like to see! 

I will fight for our public schools and students! Thank you again. 

Sincerely, 

Rena Schroeder 

Some offered more insights based on their experiences, like Meghan, who has been teaching for 12 years! She shared this letter and gave me permission to share it! You can download the full message below.

Schools should be allowed to showcase what they achieved over the entire school year, not just a few high stress days. I implore TEA and the Legislature to give our schools and students the same chances they give our teachers. Allow them to show their strengths and weaknesses over a year, allow the communities they serve to have a voice to support their schools, and allow schools more than a few days to show what their students can do. -Meghan

Educator Meghan testimony.pdf

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