Legislative Advocacy

This page has information about our efforts to connect with our State Legislators. Scroll & learn!

GCISD Trustee and Council Collaboration

Trip to Austin in early October before the Special Session to advocate for public education. Hand delivering letters signed by over 50 school districts in Texas to every Representative and Senator. 

pictured, Matt Foust- Council Legislative Advocacy Chair, Becky St. John- Board of Trustees, Divya- ‘22 GHS graduate working for Gio Capriglione’s office, Mary Humphrey- Board of Trustees, JoAnna Avakian- Council President

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Who does what in Texas Public Education?

Check out the graphic from Raise Your Hand Texas below showing “who is responsible for what.”

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Highlights of Texas PTA Rally Day 2021

Virtual Meetings with GCISD Local Legislators

Thank you to State Senator Beverly Powell, Senator Jane Nelson’s office, Representative Jeff Cason for Texas House, Senator Kelly Hancock’s office, and Representative Giovanni Capriglione.

GCISD PTAs spent the day of Feb. 22 virtually meeting with our representatives in Austin to discuss our community’s educational priorities for the 87th legislative session as well as joining Texas PTA’s rally & caucus meetings.We appreciate the conversations and look forward to working with you throughout the session. #PublicEd #txlege #YouCanPTA

Rally Day Address by Texas PTA President

Top 5 GCISD Council of PTA Legislative Priorities

In an effort to be a presence in Austin during the current legislative cycle, the GCISD Council of PTAs is partnering with the 17 GCISD campus PTAs to share our priorities regarding public education with the legislators who represent us.

The Texas Legislature decides many issues that affect public education, including funding, curriculum, graduation requirements, standardized testing, accountability, and much, much more. PTA and GCISD hope that you will stay informed about proposed legislation that will affect our children as well as all children attending public school in Texas. 

Advocacy is a key pillar of PTA. Our legislators must hear your opinions and concerns as they make these critical decisions. Please take a moment to join our Postcard Love Letters to Austin project and share your priorities with our lawmakers.  These postcards are Public School Love Letters to Austin, telling our state legislators that we care about public education.  Let’s advocate for our future!

Thank you to everyone that participated in the Public Education Priorities for Austin Survey.  The results are being used to shape the discussions with our legislators on February 22, during the Texas PTA Rally Day. 

Please see below for the Top 5 Texas PTA Priority results:

• Support hold harmless provisions for funding losses due to COVID-19
• Ensure Texas Public Schools are fully funded
• Continue to monitor TEA’s Special Education Plan
• Restore Dedicated State Funding (without caps) for G/T Services

• Advocate for a reduced emphasis on state-mandated testing that penalizes the student rather than guide instruction and identify learning problems.

GCISD Legislative Priorities

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Thank you for lending your voice for Texas children!

Let your community know: #YouCanPTA. If they’re not sure where to start, invite your family, friends, and neighbors to visit JoinPTA.org — joining made easy in a world gone virtual.