We Show Up, We Speak Up

Stand for Children – Texas is an independent voice for students. Our mission is to help all children get the excellent public education and strong support they need to thrive.

Our organization is made up of committed staff and volunteers – parents, teachers, and community members – who work with state and local officials to make meaningful improvements to public schools. We help empower parents and communities to make kids and schools a priority.

For more information about Stand for Children’s advocacy activities, contact Priscilla Aquino Garza, our Deputy Director, at paquinogarza@stand.org or 512.501.2268. Hablo Español.

A GUIDE FOR PARENTS

Our elected officials hold the key to

improving Texas’ public schools, but it’s

up to us to make sure they’re doing their

jobs. This guide will help identify the two

main groups whose decisions impact

Texas’ public education system – the Texas

Legislature and state and local school

boards – what their roles are, and how you

can work with them to improve schools.

Learn how to talk to elected officials and work together to improve public schools.

Stand for Children – Texas1524 South IH 35, Suite 310, Austin, TX 78704 512.501.2340 | www.stand.org/tx | TXInfo@stand.org

Important Dates for November 8, 2011 Elections*

Last Day to Register to Vote October 11

Turn In Applications for Vote by Mail September 9 - November 1Your request must be received by this date, so mail by Oct. 27 to be safe.

Early Voting October 24 - November 4

Election Day! Tuesday, November 8

Kids can’t vote, but you can!

Who we are

�Register to vote.To vote in Texas, you must be pre-registered. Simply pick up a voter registration application, fill it out, and mail it at least 30 days before the election. You can also get the form online at www.stand.org/tx/votereg.

�Determine who and what you’re voting for.Identify your current elected officials and the issues on the ballot at www.votesmart.org or by doing your own research online. You can also ask your Stand for Children organizer about education champions and issues on the ballot.

�Go vote! Find out where you must go to vote at www.stand.org/tx/wheretovote. Make sure you bring your identification or voter registration card.

Will you be out of town or unable to go to the poll? Vote by mail or vote early. You must request a vote-by-mail ballot in advance. See the calendar below for details.

*Remember, other elections, including primaries and some school board elections, happen in the spring. Check our website for important dates in spring 2012! www.stand.org/tx

Have to work on Election Day? Employers are required by law to give you time off to

vote if your polling place isn’t open for two consecutive hours

during your non-work hours. Call 800.252.8683 for

more information.

www.stand.org/tx StandTexastxstand

Photos by Steve Bloch, Xilia Faye, and Thomas Bacon

Get started!Find out who represents you and what they believe. Find out who your state legislators are and how they’ve voted at www.votesmart.org. Check your district website to find out who your school board members are, and attend a school board meeting or call them to learn more about their priorities.

Make sure your representatives know you care. It’s important to make sure leaders know who you are and where you stand so you’ll have a relationship when issues arise. Call to request a meeting to discuss your interests and concerns, his or her platform, and how to work together.

Think officials are too busy or too important to meet you? They’re not! Whether you voted for them or not, most are excited to connect with constituents.

Make your voice heard:Lobby your elected officials when they’re debating education issues.Call, send an email, or visit your elected official to ask him or her to vote for or against an issue. Identify yourself as a constituent, explain why the vote is personally important to you, and present facts that back up your opinion. Tip: Stand sends out regular action alerts that let you know when education issues are being discussed and how you can make a difference.

Testify at a committee hearing or school board meeting.Public testimony at legislative hearings and school board meetings can make a big impact! Call or go online to find out scheduled dates for public comment and to sign up. Tip: Stand closely tracks education issues and calls members to action when important debates arise at the Capitol and school board meetings. Our staff can even help you prepare your remarks.

Write a letter to the editor.Letters to the editor can help shape community opinion - and many people read them! Keep your letter short and simple. Call or check your local paper’s website to find out how to submit. Tip: Stand can help you identify critical times to write letters to the editor and help you craft your message.

Say thanks!Being an elected official is often a thankless job. Send an email or call to make sure your representatives know how much you appreciate their commitment to improving public schools.

What is the Texas Legislature?The Legislature is the governing body for the state of Texas, responsible for creating and making laws and balancing the state budget – nearly half of which goes to fund public schools. The Legislature contains two legislative bodies: the House of Representatives and the Senate.

When do legislators meet? The Texas Legislature meets every two years for 140 days, from January through the end of May or early June. An additional “special session” may be called by the Governor to address issues not resolved in the regular session, and can last up to 30 days. Our Legislature last met in 2011, so they will meet again in 2013.

See it for yourself!It can be incredibly empowering to watch the process of a bill becoming a law or testify for or against a piece of legislation.

You can attend a committee hearing, observe a debate on the House or Senate floor, or even watch or listen to debates online by visiting www.capitol.state.tx.us.

Sign up for our emails at www.stand.org/tx and we’ll keep you posted about when bills that impact kids and schools are being discussed in the legislature!

What is a school board?We have two types in Texas: the Texas School Board of Education, which makes decisions for all schools in the state, and local school boards for each independent school district.

The Texas State Board of Education has 15 members, elected one per district every four years. They oversee the Texas Education Agency (TEA). TEA manages all school districts, sets curriculum standards and chooses textbooks, and oversees the state education budget.

Local school boards usually have five to seven members, elected in either May or November. How long board members stay in office and exactly how elections work is a matter of local policy, so it depends on where you live. Visit your local school district’s website to find out.

Local school boards govern districts. They set budgets, make hiring and layoff decisions, manage administration, and make sure local schools follow state laws.

How do school boards impact schools?State and local school boards work to apply education laws and local school policies. That includes:• Selecting and evaluating the superintendent who leads each district.• Setting standards for what students must learn.• Creating goals for school and district performance.• Setting and overseeing district budgets.

Meet your Texas decision makers

School boards needto hear from parents

like you!School board members have a direct impact on what your child is learning, who their teachers and principals are, and how their schools are funded and directed.

The best way to get involved is by simply attending a school board meeting – see how your board members communicate with each other, what their priorities are, and what they’ve accomplished for children in your area.

Board meetings are always open to the public (it’s the law). Go to your local school board’s website or call the district office to find out about your next local meeting.

Want to get involved or learn more about your local school board? Get touch with us!

Be an advocate for childrenTalking to or lobbying your elected officials can be intimidating if you’ve never done it before, but once you know a few tricks, it’s easy. And of course, Stand for Children is here to help you every step of the way!

Who are my legislators?Your representatives in the Texas Legislature are based on where you live - your district. District lines may change. Find your district and legislators at www.fyi.legis.state.tx.us.

How do legislators impact schools?State legislators pass, revise, and repeal laws that have a broad, statewide impact on public schools. These laws can shape the direction for education in our state, although school districts are often in charge of implementing the laws at the local level.

State legislators do things like:• Determining the public school budget.• Setting standards schools must reach.• Creating a pay scale for teachers, principals, and administrators.• Establishing requirements for teachers and principals, including their evaluations and certification.

These are just a few ways to take action. Make sure you’re signed up for our action alerts and we’ll let you know when there are other opportunities to help!

GET EMAILS: Sign up at stand.org/tx GET TEXT MESSAGES: Text “TXSTAND” to 69866

Be in the knowwhen it’s time to take action!

The House of Representatives has 150 members. Representatives are elected for two year terms. Elections happen in even numbered years, so the entire House is up for re-election every two years.

The Senate has 31 members. Senators are elected for four year terms. Elections happen in even numbered years, so every election cycle about half of the Senate is up for re-election.

There are no limits to the number of times a Representative or Senator can run for re-election in Texas.

StandTexastxstand