L. John Porras, MPA

Who Represents Me? Your local representatives play a crucial role in shaping policies and making decisions that impact your local schools. By knowing who they are, you can stay informed and involved in your community. Find who represents you and your public schools: raiseyourhandtexas.org/resource/who-r…

It’s the last day of early voting, and every candidate needs to know that Texans expect bold progress, not temporary fixes, in our accountability system for our public schools. Make sure your candidate knows that public schools are important to Texans before election day on Tuesday, March 3: go.ryht.org/morethantests #MeasureWhatMattersTX #BeyondTheFallingSTAAR #TxEd #TxLege #TexasPublicSchools #AFRatings #TexasElections #STAAR

Accountability matters. However, when one test drives a campus’s entire rating, it’s worth asking whether we’re truly honoring the full picture of teaching and learning. Answer: It doesn’t. It might tell us something, but it doesn’t tell us everything. go.ryht.org/morethantests

Teachers are the heart of education. Nurture them and students will flourish too. Read about one teacher's experience at our Teacher Retreat weekend and nominate your favorite Houston area teacher by March 6 to join us in May! bit.ly/3MFEdza

There are two ways to vote right now in Texas. One is at the polls in the primaries. Early voting is underway through 2/27 and Primary Election Day is 3/3. And there's one more at go.ryht.org/morethantests! Tell the candidates how you feel about the A-F accountability system. #TxEd

Texas candidates are waiting to hear from you this week! Make your voice heard in the voting booth and online. 🗳️ We are asking Texans to message their primary election candidates to champion a better way to grade our schools. Send a message to your candidates in less than 1 minute: go.ryht.org/morethantests #MeasureWhatMattersTX #BeyondTheFallingSTAAR #TxEd #TxLege #TexasPublicSchools #AFRatings #TexasElections #STAAR

Texas state standardized tests do not reflect the diverse ways our schools prepare students for life beyond the classroom. We need an accountability system that measures student growth and learning through multiple lenses. It takes just 30 seconds to send a message to your candidates: go.ryht.org/morethantests #MeasureWhatMattersTX #BeyondTheFallingSTAAR #TxEd #TxLege #TexasPublicSchools #AFRatings #TexasElections #STAAR #FundTheFuture

Our students are more than a test score. We need an accountability system that looks at the full picture of a student’s learning, not just one exam. It takes 30 seconds to add your voice in support of a better way to measure what truly matters. go.ryht.org/morethantests

Today is the start of early voting for the 2026 Texas primaries. Tell your candidates our Texas public schools should be measured by more than a single test on a single day. Last year the Texas legislature passed House Bill 8 to make changes and add extra tests to the state’s school accountability system. However, 80% of Texas schools still have their A-F ratings determined by a single high-stakes exam. This doesn't reflect the full range of skills our students need to succeed. A strong accountability system should look at multiple measures of student learning and growth - not just one test on one day. Tell 2026 candidates it’s time to measure what matters: go.ryht.org/morethantests #MeasureWhatMattersTX #BeyondTheFallingSTAAR #TxEd #TxLege #TexasPublicSchools #AFRatings #TexasElections #STAAR #FundTheFuture

HAPPENING TODAY (2/4) Join us for a “Beyond the Falling STAAR” event in Socorro at Casa Ortiz. Beyond the Falling STAAR is a community event bringing together advocates to talk about accountability beyond test scores. ⚠️ RSVP is requested. 🔗 here: advocacy.raiseyourhandtexas.org/beyond_the_fal…

Join us for a “Beyond the Falling STAAR” event in Socorro on Feb. 4 @ Casa Ortiz. We are bringing together advocates to talk about accountability beyond test scores. ⚠️ Space is limited. Advance RSVP is requested. 🔗 RSVP here: advocacy.raiseyourhandtexas.org/beyond_the_fal…

Attending Midwinter? Let’s connect. Booth #555.

We’re at TASA Midwinter 2026 and ready to connect! Raise Your Hand Texas is working to redefine public education, one advocate at a time. Let’s talk public school advocacy, Get Out the Vote, and how we build a brighter future for all Texas students. Find us at Booth #555 #TASA2026 #TXPublicEd #AdvocateForEducation #TxEd

Raise Your Hand Texas has announced the launch of its inaugural Community Leaders Fellowship, naming 29 grant awardees to its first cohort. As the premier program within the organization’s newly established Education Advocacy Academy, the Fellowship is the next evolution of the successful Trustee Advocates Program, expanding its reach to include a diverse coalition of community voices. The Community Leaders Fellowship is an 18-month program designed to equip local teams — composed of parents, educators, business leaders, and school trustees — with the tools and skills necessary to find, use and amplify their voices in state education policy. The following school districts have been selected as Grant Awardees for Cohort 1 of the Raise Your Hand Texas Community Leaders Fellowship: Abilene ISD @abileneisd Alamo Heights ISD @AHISD Arp ISD @ArpISD Belton ISD @BeltonISD Canutillo ISD @CanutilloISD Carrollton-Farmers Branch ISD @CFBISD Cedar Hill ISD @cedarhillisd Cleburne ISD @CleburneISD Comanche ISD @Comanche_ISD Corpus Christi ISD @CCISD Eanes ISD @EanesISD Early ISD @earlyisd Granbury ISD @granburyisd Gregory-Portland ISD @GPISD1 Harlingen CISD @HarlingenCISD Lake Dallas ISD @LakeDallasISD Lewisville ISD @LewisvilleISD Liberty Hill ISD @libertyhillisd Lyford CISD @lyfordcisd Martin’s Mill ISD North Lamar ISD @nlamarisd Paris ISD Plano ISD @PlanoSchools Port Aransas ISD @PortAransasISD San Marcos CISD @SanMarcosCISD Schertz-Cibolo-Universal City ISD @SCUCISD Shiner ISD @ShinerISD Splendora ISD @SplendoraISD Wylie ISD (Taylor County) @WylieISD For more information about the program, visit raiseyourhandtexas.org/advancing-publ…. #CommunityLeadersFellowship #TxEd #TxLege

New year, new look. Our refreshed website is officially live and built to better serve advocates, educators, and Texans who care about public education. Be sure to explore the updates and join us in shaping the future of Texas public education. raiseyourhandtexas.org #TexasPublicEducation #EducationAdvocacy #TexasEducation #RaiseYourHandTexas #TxEd #TxLege

The Charles Butt Scholarship for Aspiring Teachers application is now open! Learn more about eligible universities and programs, deadlines, and how to apply here: bit.ly/4jpRyr7 The Charles Butt Scholarship is designed specifically for passionate aspiring teachers looking to make a difference in the lives of Texas public school students. Scholarship recipients receive: ✏️ $8,000 or $10,000 in annual funding, depending on the program ✏️ Professional development opportunities ✏️ Mentorship from experienced educators ✏️ Connection to a statewide network of educators Charles Butt Scholars believe in the importance of public education and are committed to a career in teaching in Texas public schools, either in a Title I school or a priority subject area (math, science, bilingual, or special education). Please share this scholarship opportunity with anyone who might be interested! #TeachersMatter #PublicEducation #ImpactThatLasts #CharlesButtScholars

The share of Texas teachers who have seriously considered leaving is down at 66 percent in 2025 compared to 78 percent in 2024, with the sharpest drop among the newest teachers, those with one to five years of teaching experience. Review key insights to supporting teachers and more from our 2025 Texas Teacher Poll: bit.ly/3YAJ2fy #TeacherSupport #TexasPublicEducation #CharlesButtFoundation

Don't miss the application deadline! Apply before the application closes! Learn how to effectively communicate and work with other leaders to advocate for the future of our public schools. Apply for the Community Leaders Fellowship now: go.ryht.org/fellowship #TxEd #TxLege #CommunityLeadersFellowship

Happy holidays to all the teachers, parents, administrators, advocates, and students who make Texas public education extraordinary! ✨ We hope you enjoy a restful break with loved ones. Here are some fun ideas on how to spend your winter break this year. ⛄❄️ #HappyHolidays #TxEd #PublicEducation

Our Texas students are worth the investment, and I want to connect with folks about how we can best champion public education in our communities. Our future depends on it and your voice matters.