TPPF’s Derek Cohen and Kate Bierly break down the biggest challenges and solutions in Texas K-12 education.
They cover everything from pushing back against the “college for all” myth with strong Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs, to fixing teacher certification barriers for trades, addressing rural workforce needs, combating gender ideology in teacher training, and tackling screen time with cell phone bans and Chromebook policies.
Kate (Campaign Director for TPPF’s Next Generation Texas initiative) shares insights from her experience in elite education programs, real classroom stories, and practical policy fixes to better serve Texas students and families.
01:30 – Career & Technical Education (CTE) Overview: Trades, HVAC, Construction & Healthcare
02:19 – Holly Jeffreys Clip: Paid Internships & “Grow Your Own” Programs in Rural Texas
03:32 – The Bachelor’s Degree Barrier for CTE Teachers & Apprenticeships
05:40 – Why the “College for All” Push is Failing Students
06:40 – Unique Challenges Facing Rural Texas Schools
08:33 – Gender Ideology in Teacher Training & Elementary Classrooms
10:09 – Rep. Tom Oliverson Clip: Protecting Kids & the Counseling Frontier
12:04 – School Choice as a Solution for Parental Rights
12:22 – Rep. Brad Buckley Clip: Cell Phone Ban Impact on Academics
13:34 – Devices & Chromebooks in Elementary Schools – The Big Debate
17:05 – Rep. Cole Hefner Clip: Phones, Reading, and Real Learning
18:27 – Technology, Autonomy, and What Actually Works for Kids
19:01 – Closing Thoughts