Actionable steps to ignite your hope for public education
Before we begin, acknowledge where you are in your current space. If you are able to do so, take a great big breath in through your nose and fill up your belly. Keep breathing in just a little bit more and expand into your lungs and heart. Hold your breath in for just a few seconds as you feel the tension build. Let the jaw drop open and sigh your breath out heavily through the mouth. Try that two more times. Let it be audible.
You’re still here breathing on solid ground, we’re still here, so let’s do what we can to keep moving forward towards a future we can actually be excited to live for.
This blog will begin with action anyone, anywhere can take down to hyper local things you can begin in your own community. This blog is written in a way to encourage you to click on links and take action, right now. Perhaps you begin this blog today, take one action, and then come back tomorrow to read the next paragraph and do the next step. Maybe you read it all in one sitting, AND THEN make an actual plan for when you will do the action steps listed. Set a reminder on your phone. Put it on a calendar. Tell a friend and join the resistance together!
Let’s begin!
PROTECT DISABILITY RIGHTS IN 5 MIN or LESS
Texas has a special role to play in protecting disability rights. Any and all Texas residents who care to protect the rights of disabled individuals, get ready to call your Attorney General (AG) office to urge Ken Paxton to drop the Texas vs. Kennedy case. For the second time, the AG of Texas and 9 other states aim to declare the entire section of 504 unlawful. If you have a child that utilizes a 504 plan to access education in public school it could be meaningful to include the benefits and protections you and your learner experience because of the 504 section of the Rehabilitation Act. Want to feel more informed about this issue before you call? Check out this resources Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund (DREDF)
The protections of 504 go far beyond ensuring accommodations for public school children to access education; it protects the disability population from being discriminated against in any space that accepts federal money from the United States government. Much of the disability community is warning that repealing 504 could lead to denial of access to education and institutionalization without consent. If you are in Texas:
Call the Attorney General’s switchboard (800)-252-8011
Ask to speak to the appropriate office for addressing Texas dropping Texas v. Kennedy
Make your comment to the staffer that answers
The government staffers cannot comment on what you have to say. It is their job to listen and tally your concern to take to Ken Paxton (or any representative you call about any issue). Speak freely without obscenities or threats despite the fury you may feel internally. We are calling Ken Paxton specifically about 504 because he has the power to drop the case.
If you’re looking for a script to support you as you become more familiar with calling, feel free to use the one below and add what’s personal to you!
My name is [your name], and I live in [your city, your state].
I am a person with a disability OR I am the parent to a child with a disability OR I am a person who cares about the rights of disabled individuals. [Say more about your disability].
I am very upset that you are part of the Texas v. Kennedy case. This case is asking a Texas court to get rid of Olmstead and the Section 504 rules.
Section 504 and Olmstead are extremely important to the disability community. Section 504 and its rules make sure people with disabilities can be included in schools and can see their doctor. Section 504 and its rules mean people can live in the community with support and not be forced into institutions.
If the court agrees with the states bringing the lawsuit, people with disabilities will lose civil rights. These rights have protected people with disabilities for over 50 years. This is NOT OK!
If you care about the disability community and do not want to tear down Section 504, drop out of the lawsuit NOW!
Thank you,
[Your name]
5 CALLS MAKES IT EASY TO CALL YOUR REPRESENTATIVES
Download the 5Calls app if you haven’t already
Make a call to each senator and house representative about a topic that is meaningful to you. Call daily!
Tell a friend about 5Calls and some them how easy it is to use your voice
Making these three calls daily takes less than 8 minutes when using the 5Calls app. The app allows you to get informed about a topic specific to the legislation that impacts that your concern. It also provides you with a script. This is helpful for staying on topic and remaining focused even when the nervous system has an uncomfortable response.
PRIMARIES ARE HERE (almost)
Early Voting for the primaries starts Tuesday, February 17th and ends Friday February 27. When you vote early, you can vote ANYWHERE in your county and there is typically no wait at all during these 10 days.
Apply for mail-in ballot by February 20th
Mail-in ballots must be RECEIVED by March 3rd
If you do not vote early, Election Day is Tuesday March 3rd, and you must vote in-person, in your designated precinct.
Learn more about where to vote in-person here!
There will be more to come from the Cruise Capabilities on recommendations that support humanity dignity, diversity, equity and inclusion.
STATE BOARD OF EDUCATION GOOD NEWS & NON-SENSE
The SBOE pushed back their vote for literacy recommendations to April which gives us time to collaborate, organize and voice our opinions on what can be done to protect student and teacher’s right to diverse literacy in the classroom. You can learn more about the critiques of the proposed literacy lists from a resource created by Tiffany Perkinz, a former high school English teacher running for SBOE district 7.
As for history standards, Texas is on the road to changing all curriculum materials and whitewashing history to be implemented in classrooms across the state in 2030. The only way to stop this will be to participate in voting to flip SBOE seats from individuals that are supporting the Christian Nationalist agenda to experienced educators who aim to make education equitable and inclusive. Need more background on this? Here is a blog post from October 2025.
SCHOOL BOARD MEETINGS; ATTEND, WATCH & PARTICIPATE
If you are local to Lewisville ISD, join me in attending monthly school board work sessions and board meetings. Most work sessions are the 1st Monday of the month, and board meetings are the 2nd Monday of the month. Sessions typically begin in closed session at 6pm and open to the public at 7pm. The start time will be posted on the agenda 72 hours prior to the meeting. Learn more about Lewisville School Board Meetings at LISD.net.
Texas school districts will vote on SB11 this month which would dictate a period of prayer and bible readings led by teachers during the school day. Lewisville ISD has denied adopting this into district policy. Attend your local school board meeting to see what your district proposes.
LISD is proposing a new math curriculum for K-12 classrooms. The public is able to review the materials on Monday February 9th at the LISD Bolin Professional Learning Cerner- Entrance E from 8:00am-8:00pm. Feedback forms are provided and due by February 20th if you would like to provide your input. This is one of the great benefits of public school. All of these decisions are public and the community is invited to participate and give feedback. This is not a right families have in private schools or in charter schools. Keep this in mind if you are considering disenrolling from public schools for vouchers.
CHECK BACK IN
Now that you have made it this far, take a pause. DEEP BREATH. Inhale through the nose and sigh it out big through the mouth. Along with your efforts to join in the movement towards justice make sure to eat, hydrate and rest. If any of those foundations are missing, go take care, and come back to work when you are well nourished.
Together we rise. Together we are more than capable of an inclusive world.
Currently finding inspirations in Emergent Strategies by Adrienne Maree Brown, find a copy at an independent book seller today.
Stay educated,
Kaitlin
