TASB Talks

The next legislative session begins Jan. 10. Here's what school board members, administrators, and public school advocates need to know before it begins.  Sign up for Texans for Strong Public Schools action alerts: https://bit.ly/39g1qS0   Register to attend the Texas Federal Advocacy Conference, Feb. 6-7 in Washington, D.C., and the TASA/TASB Legislative Conference, Feb. 21 in Austin: https://bit...

Political family to rock star to pilot to cultural diplomat isn't your typical career trajectory. But Ravi Hutheesing, whose great uncle was the first prime minister of India, knows the importance of being able to pivot in life. On this episode, he shares some of his experiences with us, and talks about how we can nurture talent and curiosity in students, giving them the skills to become lifelong...

"What if you just listen to each other?" J. Michael Hall is the founder of Strong Fathers Strong Families and facilitates workshops between schools and parents across the state and country. He talks with Kay about the importance of transparency and communication. Mike will be the preconference speaker at Summer Leadership Institute, taking place June 15-18 in San Antonio and June 29-July 2 in Fort...

Dax Gonzalez, TASB Governmental Relations division director, joins us to discuss the issues public schools are facing right now and headed into the next legislative session.  TASB just wrapped up its Grassroots Meetings, one of the first steps in determing the Association's Advocacy Agenda. The meetings are held across the state and all public school leaders have a chance to participate and let th...

Lizzie Velasquez was born with a rare congenital disease—very rare, in fact. She's now a global motivational speaker, anti-bullying activist, and author.  Lizzie joins Kay to talk about being bullied in school, overcoming obstacles, and her advice to educators about dealing with bullying (it may surprise you). She'll be a general session speaker at TASB's Governance Camp, happening March 2-5 in Ga...

As a kid, Victor Rios was a dropout who lived on the streets. Now he's a MacArthur Foundation chair and professor of sociology at the University of California, Santa Barbara, researching how educators can empower young people from marginalized groups. His TED Talk, "Help for Kids the Education System Ignores," has more than 1.4 million views.  Dr. Rios joins TASB Talks to share some of his persona...

Kay chats with Dr. Dan Troxell, TASB's executive director, about his first 100 days on the job and his plans looking forward. He discusses: What he's learned about school board service TASB's grassroots advocacy process Words of wisdom for educators Follow Dan on Twitter @DanTroxellTASB .  ©2021 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Tracy Fisher, Coppell ISD school board member, was named TASB's first-ever Advocate of the Year. She talks with host Kay Douglas about steps any trustee can take to speak up for Texas public schools.  Find your regional Grassroots Meeting: https://bit.ly/3oxjKh2 Subscribe to Texans for Strong Public Schools: https://bit.ly/39g1qS0   ©2021 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserve...

H.T. Sanchez, Plainview ISD, was recently named the 2021 Superintendent of the Year. He joins Kay to talk about: How to hire and retain good teachers How Plainview ISD makes college readiness systemic His advice to boards on working well with a superintendent ©2021 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Aledo ISD's Board President Hoyt Harris and VP Jessica Brown join Kay for a conversation on what makes them the top school board in the state. They share advice on working well with the superintendent and improvements they've made in the past few years.  ©2021 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

We are pleased to welcome the new host of TASB Talks, Kay Douglas! You may know her already from her many years training school boards across Texas.  We chat with Dax for a recap of the second special legislative session of 2021. Get details on bills that were passed, like virtual learning and critical race theory. We also chat about what's happening with mask mandates in schools and the upcoming...

Dax may have Post-Legislative Stress Syndrome, but he's moving forward. In our legislative session wrap-up episode, we chat about: The death of the virtual learning bill and what it means for next school year. The final version of the HB 3 (2019) cleanup bill. HB 999, individual graduation committees. HB 547, districts may allow homeschool kids to participate in UIL activities. And yes, it's comin...

"This is the session of zombie bills." Sine die is Monday and legislators are working overtime (Dax, too). Get updates on: Virtual instruction HB 3 cleanup bill SB 10, transparency in lobbying  And, we bid a special farewell to TASB Talks host Amanda Quraishi. Sign up for alerts from Texans for Strong Public Schools: https://bit.ly/39g1qS0 Sign up for the TASB Legislative Report email updates: htt...

We have a special episode this week! Dax is joined by his fellow TASB Governmental Relations staff members Marisha, Whitney, and Ruben. The roundtable discussion includes updates on virtual instruction bills, changes to the accountability system, and how the permitless carry bill would affect education. Sign up for alerts from Texans for Strong Public Schools: https://bit.ly/39g1qS0  

Dax is staying hydrated during these final weeks of the 87th Texas Legislature, where time is of the essence for any bills hoping to get passed. Texas trustees will return to the Capitol Wednesday. Our hosts talk about some public ed-related bills that died this week.   Follow TASB on social media. Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/tasbpage   Twitter: https://twitter.com/tasbnews  

TASB Governmental Relations is tracking 1,000 bills. Meanwhile, time is running out to get legislation heard.  This week, Dax and Q discuss the $11.2 billion in federal relief funds that will be allocated to Texas public schools. How will they be distributed? What's the timeline? Our hosts also chat about SB 28 and charter school accountability. Sign up to receive TASB's Legislative Report: https:...

The House is working on the state budget. Some important amendments were made to SB 1 that affect education, including guidance on the $18 billion in federal relief funds. SB 28 would limit the power of the State Board of Education and give more power to the education commissioner when it comes to charter applications.  Contact your lawmakers about SB 28: https://bit.ly/3tSr6vT   ©2021 Texas Assoc...

Things are moving quickly in the #txlege. Listen to Dax and Q discuss: The state budget and what it means for public education SB 28, a bill that would weaken oversight of charters $18 billion in federal funds meant for schools that have not been distributed.  Sign up for TASB's Legislative Report:  https://bit.ly/31q1fyK Trustees, take part in our legislative advocacy game: https://bit.ly/2QAuWuT...

On this week's Lege Update, Dax and Q talk about: The budget bill that passed the Texas Senate. An update on federal stimulus money for schools. What happened with STAAR testing? Sign up for TASB's Legislative Report: https://bit.ly/31q1fyK ©2021 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

TASB Governmental Relations is tracking more than 1,000 bills in the Texas Legislature. Dax and Amanda discuss just a few of them, including: SB 1, the Senate's budget bill SB 28, charter school expansion SB 481, pandemic operations HB 299, individual graduation committees HB 1525, the House Bill 3 (2019) cleanup bill Contact your lawmakers on education issues: https://bit.ly/3cxTKME ©2021 Texas A...

Learn more about the education bills that were heard last week: HB 749, community censorship, would severely limit school board members' abilities to advocate at the Capitol. HB 3687 would increase transparency in lobbying. SB 1365, directed at Houston ISD, would expand the powers of the TEA Commissioner.  SB 28, related to charter schools, would remove the authority of the State Board of Educatio...

It's the first of our weekly Lege Updates! Dax and Amanda talk about: • The $12.4 billion in COVID relief funding earmarked for Texas public schools. How will it be used? • The Texas Supreme Court ruling on Houston ISD's school board • HB 1438 and charter school accountability • Charter school funding and spending • HB 5: Access to broadband services • Bills that were voted out of the House Public...

We chat with Dax Gonzalez, TASB's director of Governmental Relations, about the projected revenues for the state's upcoming budget cycle, education committee assignments, and what to expect at the TASA/TASB Legislative Conference taking place on February 23.  Register for the free Legislative Conference: https://events.tasb.org/?eventId=5744   ©2021 Texas Association of School Boards, Inc. All Rig...

Students are the primary stakeholders in education. How can district leaders engage students to co-create, work through problems together, and seek a variety of perspectives to improve student experiences? Merrit Jones, senior advisor for Student Voice, shares her experiences working with districts across the country.  TASB's Governance Camp is powered by Student Voice. Don't miss this year's virt...

The Texas legislative session begins January 12, and the pandemic is sure to have a major impact on the proceedings. We talk with Dax Gonzalez, TASB's division director of Governmental Relations, about what to expect when it comes to education funding, state budget woes, charter school expansion, and more. Sign up for alerts by texting SCHOOLS to 313131. School board members can sign up for the Sc...