Policy engagement

listening circles

We have engaged in more than 50 Listening Circles designed to create authentic opportunities for elected officials, educational leaders, and community stakeholders to listen, learn, and build deeper understanding of the experiences and aspirations of students, families, educators, and community members. Guided by principles of equity of voice, active listening, mutual respect, and shared learning, these conversations center community perspectives that are often underrepresented in traditional decision-making spaces. To date, approximately 250 community participants have engaged in our Listening Circles, alongside 10 State Representatives and State Board of Education members, 23 school board trustees, 14 City Council members, numerous candidates for public office, and school district leaders. These gatherings create space for participants to share experiences, identify common concerns and solutions, strengthen relationships, and inspire meaningful action that advances equity in schools and communities. You can learn more about past Listening Circles below and through our social media.

View past listening circles

local advocacy

EIS has a longstanding history of engaging with local education agencies across Texas to support equitable educational opportunities,and meaningful community participation in public education. Over the years, we have attended and spoken at school board meetings, provided public comment on issues affecting students and educators, organized community listening sessions, supported school board candidates committed to strong public schools, and worked alongside families, educators, and community organizations to elevate local concerns. Through these efforts, we have helped foster dialogue between educators, district leaders, and elected trustees while advocating for policies that promote student well-being, educator support, inclusive learning environments, and democratic decision-making at the local level. By building relationships with school boards and district stakeholders, we strengthen community engagement and ensure that educator perspectives are represented in local education policy discussions.

View past successes

state legislation

Since 2019, EIS members have engaged with State Representatives and Senators to uplift community and educator voices on topics that impact students significantly in schools. At the Texas Capitol, EiS members have provided and supported testimony, often alongside partner organizations such as Texas Appleseed and Texas Legislative Education Equity Coalition through IDRA, on issues including equitable school funding, school discipline policies, opposition to private-school voucher programs, protection of culturally responsive and honest history instruction, support for bilingual education, ensuring support for students identifying as LBGTQIA+, reduction of excessive standardized testing, academic freedom, and policies aimed at improving educator recruitment and retention. EIS members have also collaborated with state representatives’ offices to strengthen legislation through research and outreach. Additionally. Our advocacy centers on ensuring that Texas public schools are fully funded, inclusive of all students, and responsive to the needs of educators, families, and local communities.

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