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Weekly Brief, January 18, 2023
Focus: Education
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A Conversation with Dr. Sukari Stredit-Thomas, Principal of Blackshear Elementary School
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"Where the Pride of Third Ward Begins!"
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CCPPI's Executive Director Dr. Sean Haley spoke with Dr. Sukari Stredit-Thomas, or as her scholars call her, "Dr. T", to learn about the unique enrichment programs Blackshear Elementary has to offer!
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Texas 88th Legislative Session: Two Education Censorship Bills to Follow
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These Two Anti-LGBTQ Bills Filed in Texas Mirror Florida's "Don't Say Gay" law
HB 631, filed by Representative Steve Toth (R - HD 15), aims to amend the Texas Education Code by eliminating classroom instruction about sexual orientation or gender identity in grades K - 5. The bill would also require parents to be notified of changes in their student's physical, mental or emotional health and allows for legal action, such as suing school districts, to take place if any portion of the bill is violated.
If any portion of classroom instruction for K - 5 grade levels is found inappropriate with state standards there could be repercussions for educators and school districts. However, Toth's bill as filed does not include what the state standards should be.
HB 1155, filed by Representative Jared Patterson (R - HD 106), mirrors HB 631, but extends the ban on classroom instruction about sexual orientation and gender identity from K - 5 to K - 8 grade levels. Additionally, the bill outlines this requirement could apply to any grade level, so long as the material is deemed "not age appropriate or developmentally appropriate", but Patterson does not define what is considered appropriate for different grade levels.
Click here for other anti-LGBTQ+ related bills filed for the current legislative session compiled by Equality Texas.
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Possible State Take Over of Houston ISD
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Last Friday, January 13th, the Texas Supreme Court announced the removal of a retraining order that prohibited the Texas Education Agency (TEA) from taking over HISD. This new ruling means HISD is now at risk for the possibility of a state takeover of the district, which could drastically impact parents and students.
Click here to learn more about previous takeover attempts in HISD and here for a deeper explanation of why takeovers "have historically been used against school districts with a significant population of students of color" and often worsen school experiences- not improve them.
CCPPI will monitor the situation as more details evolve, and we will share important information, possible impacts, and action steps to take as a community.
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Call to Action: 
 Click here to register for a meeting hosted by Community Voices for Public Education this Saturday January, 21st from 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM, at Trinity Gardens Church of Christ, for a discussion on the fight for strong public schools this legislative session!
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Citywide Issues Assembly On Education, February 4th
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On February 4 from 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM, at Baker Ripley House 4410 Navigation Houston, TX 77003, Leadership for Educational Equity, ONE Houston, Good Reason Houston, and Latinos for Education will gather students, parents, families, community members, and key organizations to define a core set of issues that will center citywide advocacy in the upcoming year!
The Citywide Issues Assembly on Education is an effort to establish a commitment to educational equity rooted in shared beliefs and mindsets throughout greater Houston. The goal is to learn about the issues most important to the community, so power can be built and mobilized around policies and practices that impact student outcomes.
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Call to Action:
 Click here to register for the Citywide Issues Assembly and share your thoughts on the education issues that should be advocated for across the city!
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Houston’s Public Housing Waiting List is Now Open
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For the first time since 2018, Houston's waiting list for public housing opened, Sunday, January 15, for 10 public housing developments across the city.
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The locations whose lists will soon open include Bellerive Senior Apartments (tenants 62+), Cuney Homes, Ewing Apartments, Independence Heights Apartments, Kennedy Place, Irvinton Village, Kelly Village, Lyerly Senior Apartments (tenants 62+), Heatherbrook Apartments and Lincoln Park.
To Apply for Public Housing:
- When the list opens, pre-applications will be taken online. Click here for more information.
- Applicants can also apply in person at Houston Housing Authority’s office (2640 Fountain View Dr., M-F 8 AM - 5 PM) or at the offices of each/any of the housing developments
- You can apply to join the waiting list at as many properties as you would like.
- "Applications will remain open until the housing authority has enough applications for each size of unit available at every property.”
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A donation would help the Center for Civic & Public Policy Improvement continue to fight for justice through our policy, advocacy, and community work. Our work contributes to the development and promotion of affordable housing, equitable education opportunities, access to quality healthcare, and reforms to the criminal justice system.
Click here to make a donation.
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Check out our social media pages & website below for updates on CCPPI’s work, local advocacy efforts, opportunities to take action, and stories on the topics of housing, healthcare, education, and criminal justice and safety.
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The Center for Civic and Public Policy Improvement is a non-profit organization dedicated to advancing policies that promote human, civic, social, and economic justice, and to taking the necessary action to affect progress in all areas of civic improvement throughout the culturally diverse communities in the Southern United States.
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