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The Courts Won't Save Us: Community Organizing, Political Advocacy, and Movement Lawyering in Houston ISD

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Title: The Courts Won't Save Us: Community Organizing, Political Advocacy, and Movement Lawyering in Houston ISD
Language: English
Authors: Rebekah Skelton
Source: Texas Education Review. 2025 13(1):64-84.
Availability: Texas Education Review. Available from: University of Texas at Austin, George I. Sanchez Building, 1912 Speedway, Austin, TX 78705. Tel: 512-471-7551; Fax: 512-471-5975; e-mail: txedreview@utexas.edu; Web site: https://review.education.utexas.edu/
Peer Reviewed: Y
Page Count: 21
Publication Date: 2025
Document Type: Journal Articles
Reports - Descriptive
Education Level: Elementary Education
Secondary Education
Descriptors: Public Schools, Elementary Schools, Secondary Schools, School District Autonomy, School Districts, State School District Relationship, Governance, Community Control, Resistance (Psychology), Advocacy, Lobbying, Political Power, Lawyers, Court Litigation, State Courts, Community Action
Geographic Terms: Texas (Houston)
ISSN: 2329-5724
Abstract: When the state of Texas took control of the Houston Independent School District (HISD) in the summer of 2023, it marked the end of a multi-year legal battle between the district and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the beginning of a community-led campaign to re-take control of the district. Since, students and community groups have rallied to hold district and state leaders accountable with a simple demand: End the state takeover of HISD and return control of the district to the community. By drawing on case studies of state takeovers in other large, urban school districts, this paper provides critical insight into strategies that have been effective at ending takeovers across the country. As such, this conceptual paper explores strategies the HISD community could use to regain democratic control of their schools.
Abstractor: As Provided
Entry Date: 2025
Accession Number: EJ1463730
Database: ERIC
FullText Text:
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  Data: The Courts Won't Save Us: Community Organizing, Political Advocacy, and Movement Lawyering in Houston ISD
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  Data: Texas Education Review. Available from: University of Texas at Austin, George I. Sanchez Building, 1912 Speedway, Austin, TX 78705. Tel: 512-471-7551; Fax: 512-471-5975; e-mail: txedreview@utexas.edu; Web site: https://review.education.utexas.edu/
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  Data: When the state of Texas took control of the Houston Independent School District (HISD) in the summer of 2023, it marked the end of a multi-year legal battle between the district and the Texas Education Agency (TEA) and the beginning of a community-led campaign to re-take control of the district. Since, students and community groups have rallied to hold district and state leaders accountable with a simple demand: End the state takeover of HISD and return control of the district to the community. By drawing on case studies of state takeovers in other large, urban school districts, this paper provides critical insight into strategies that have been effective at ending takeovers across the country. As such, this conceptual paper explores strategies the HISD community could use to regain democratic control of their schools.
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  Data: 2025
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      – Text: English
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      Pagination:
        PageCount: 21
        StartPage: 64
    Subjects:
      – SubjectFull: Public Schools
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Elementary Schools
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Secondary Schools
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: School District Autonomy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: School Districts
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: State School District Relationship
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Governance
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Community Control
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Resistance (Psychology)
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Advocacy
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Lobbying
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Political Power
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Lawyers
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Court Litigation
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: State Courts
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Community Action
        Type: general
      – SubjectFull: Texas (Houston)
        Type: general
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      – TitleFull: The Courts Won't Save Us: Community Organizing, Political Advocacy, and Movement Lawyering in Houston ISD
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