2012 SBOE Elections FAQ
What is the State Board of Education?
Why is the 2012 SBOE election so important?
Which seats are up for election in 2012?
In which SBOE district do I live?
Who is running in my district?
When do I vote?
Where do the candidates stand on the issues?
Does TFN endorse candidates?
How can I get more involved in efforts to elect a better SBOE?
(For other helpful information about Texas elections, visit votetexas.gov.)
What is the State Board of Education?
The State Board of Education (SBOE) is the governing body that essentially determines what students learn in Texas public schools. The board is made up of 15 members elected from districts across the state. All 15 seats on the state board are up for election in 2012.
Learn more about the controversial history of the SBOE.
Why is the 2012 SBOE election so important?
This year, all 15 seats on the state board will be contested. The election results will determine the makeup of the board that adopts new science and social studies textbooks for students in all grades of Texas public schools and many of those same members will also oversee the adoption of the new curriculum standards for sex education in a few years. Moreover, due to the size of Texas’ textbook market, these decisions will affect instructional materials in classrooms around the country for the next generation of students. 2012 could be a watershed moment for public education in Texas.
Which seats are up for election in 2012?
All 15 seats on the State Board of Education will be contested in 2012.
In which SBOE district do I live?
The state of Texas approved new district maps in 2011 that enacted changes to some SBOE districts. Click here to determine your district.
And check out the TFN Education Fund’s SBOE Election Watch page for an analysis of voter history in each district.
Who is running in my district?
The TFN Education Fund has created an SBOE Election Watch page with a list of candidates running for each seat. Click here to find information on candidates running in your district.
When do I vote?
General election — November 6 (early voting begins October 22)
More voter information available at votetexas.gov.
Where do the candidates stand on the issues?
The TFN Education Fund has released a general election SBOE voter guide.
You can also visit the TFN Education Fund’s SBOE Election Watch page for an extensive archive of candidates’ public record on a number of relevant issues. This web page is constantly updated with the latest information, so check back often.
Does TFN endorse candidates?
The Texas Freedom Network (not the TFN Education Fund) issues candidate endorsements for general election races only. To receive TFN’s endorsements, please join our network.
How can I get more involved in efforts to elect a better SBOE?
TFN and the TFN Education Fund are organizing activists all over the state who want to participate in civic engagement efforts around the SBOE elections, including leadership development trainings, voter registration drives and various Get-Out-The-Vote efforts.
Learn more about how you can get involved in our civic engagement work this year.
Controversies at the SBOE
Evolution Other TFN Resources
2008 Report on the SBOE |