Civic Ed. in the News

Last week, House Election Committee Chair Rep. Briscoe Cain brought up SB 7 with wholesale substitutions that make it identical to HB 6. Neither the public nor other committee members received prior notice, and the Chair refused to take public testimony. Despite objection, the bill eventually passed out of committee along partisan lines. Democrats on the committee wrote a letter to Attorney General Merrick Garland that asked for federal oversight over the House Election Committee. Sixty-three civil rights organizations including CDF-TX have signed onto a statement laying out the most concerning provisions of both bills. These voter suppression efforts have been called Jim Crow 2.0 because they target marginalized voters. Read what the author of “The New Jim Crow” has to say 10 years later.

After last year’s Census, Texas is the only state to gain more than one seat. While Latines are set to be the largest population in Texas by the middle of this year, it is likely those numbers fell short of expectations due to the citizenship question and lack of state funding. Attention now turns to redistricting once the Census Bureau releases data this fall. Follow Fair Maps Texas to help fight against partisan gerrymandering.

The murder of George Floyd sparked protests across the country and world. Read CDF’s statement on the conviction of Derek Chauvin here. As youth continue leading conversations about the future of public safety, educators must respond in the classroom with both lesson plans and support for student mental health, especially Black students. Teachers must also integrate anti-racism into the classroom.

May 2021

As we enter the last month of the legislative session, efforts to silence Texas voters and prevent comprehensive civics education still threaten the civic health of the state. We are also closing out a tumultuous and difficult school year, and we urge students, teachers, and advocates to care for themselves and their communities.

BILLS TO WATCH

HB 3979/SB 2202 : This anti-civics bill threatens free speech and civic engagement. Please contact your lawmakers before HB 3979 heads to the floor tomorrow to tell them to vote no on this costly state overreach.

See attached talking points, as well as a statement from the Texas Council for the Social Studies.

1. Join the National Conference for Civics on May 12th from 1p-2p to discuss the importance of civics education and how it can be made a priority.

2.Celebrate with Generation Citizen at their virtual Civics Day on May 13th, 10-1130a. Students will present their action projects and hear feedback from community members

3. Tell your representatives to oppose voter suppression legislation. The League of Women Voters has made it easy to contact your rep here.

Click here to add someone or unsubscribe from our mailing list. Want to see your announcement in next month’s newsletter? Contact Maggie Stern at mstern@childrensdefense.org

TEACHING THROUGH A CRISIS

As teachers finish out a unique and difficult school year, they face the responsibility of teaching through the ongoing democratic crisis and supporting their students to become lifelong civic participants. We welcome you to use these free resources to support your own mental health and guide conversations with your students

Learning for Justice

Since the beginning of the pandemic we have experienced crisis after crisis. Teachers have been struggling to balance family, students, and self amidst uncertain times. Learning for Justice continues to update their COVID-19 resource page, with suggestions for educator mental health as well as supporting marginalized students.

Resilient Educator

We experience a variety of traumatic events in our lifetimes. Our children may have their own experiences with trauma. Learn how to support your students as they face community violence, grief, homelessness, and disaster.

NPR Throughline

As we continue to have conversations about policing and public safety, it is important to remind ourselves of the history of the institution of policing in our country. Watch this short video from NPR on how policing have contributed to violence against and the disproportionate criminalization of Black Americans.

San Antonio Report

Nearly half of Texas children are Latine. With Biden’s slow action on immigration thus far and Texas’ growing population, educators may be wondering how to support their Latine students. Read a Chicana educator talk about the importance of teaching Mexican American History.

Trans History

Watch this Ted Talk by trans activist Samy Nour Younes on the legacy of trans people around the world.

*These resources are still being updated and not every link in each guide has been vetted by CDF-Texas. Please exercise discretion in identifying relevant & culturally responsive resources. Read more about intentional and equity-focused teaching in this moment here.

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May Civic Education Newsletter

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