Fighting to take back Houston’s schools

AFT members and leaders lined the streets of Houston Oct. 20 protesting the state takeover of the Houston Independent School District. Since the Texas Education Agency snatched control from the elected school board, parents and educators have been shut out of decisions that are harming schools: libraries have been shut down and turned into discipline centers; teachers have been required to teach from a script, and some have been fired or required to reapply for their jobs. “I’ve never heard of a district, much less a takeover target, that is doing everything possible to destroy schools, break teachers’ spirit and actually hurt students,” said Houston Federation of Teachers President Jackie Anderson. “It’s incredible, and we can’t let it continue.”