Capitol to the Classroom

All Things Texas Public Education with Jason Whitely

In this episode of Capitol to the Classroom, we’re joined by award-winning journalist and WFAA Senior Political Reporter Jason Whitely for an insightful, real-world look at the current state of public education in Texas. Fresh off the primary elections, we dive into what the results mean for educators, students, and communities across the state. From the growing momentum behind school vouchers (ESAs) to the realities of school funding, Jason helps us break down what’s happening—and what could be coming next. We also explore:  ✨ How political decisions are shaping public education  ✨ The truth behind voucher application numbers and what they actually mean  ✨ Why public education is directly tied to Texas’ economy and workforce  ✨ The rise of alternative school models like AI-driven learning and what that could mean for the future  ✨ How educators can (and should!) use their voices to influence policy As always, we bring our perspective as public school educators—sharing the real impact these decisions have in classrooms every single day. Whether you’re a teacher, parent, or just someone who cares about the future of education, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. 🎧 Tune in and join us as we connect policy to practice—one conversation at a time. Jason Whitely's Bio- https://www.wfaa.com/article/about-us/team-bios/jason-whitely/287-61699914 [https://www.wfaa.com/article/about-us/team-bios/jason-whitely/287-61699914] Y'all-ITICS Episodes Referenced: Third Future Schools: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6wzgIMC747Zmv9OHXTgSMD?si=276b5d7c8af4441c [https://open.spotify.com/episode/6wzgIMC747Zmv9OHXTgSMD?si=276b5d7c8af4441c] AI Schools: https://open.spotify.com/episode/5s527viig0d15w69fMEZwu?si=0cc9eed3a3e941e9 [https://open.spotify.com/episode/5s527viig0d15w69fMEZwu?si=0cc9eed3a3e941e9] School Choice: https://open.spotify.com/episode/6tdY82xs3C6vOUQQaDmMAD?si=e74688cbe24c479c [https://open.spotify.com/episode/6tdY82xs3C6vOUQQaDmMAD?si=e74688cbe24c479c] Latest Comptroller Report on Education Savings Accounts: https://comptroller.texas.gov/about/media-center/news/20260316-texas-education-freedom-accounts-reach-200000-student-applications-ahead-of-tomorrows-deadline-1773676264632 [https://comptroller.texas.gov/about/media-center/news/20260316-texas-education-freedom-accounts-reach-200000-student-applications-ahead-of-tomorrows-deadline-1773676264632]

New Year, New Goals!

New year, new goals—and a BIG election year ahead! 🎉 In this episode of Capitol to the Classroom, we’re breaking down how educators and community members can get plugged in without feeling overwhelmed. From why state and local elections matter just as much (if not more!) than federal races, to practical ways to advocate using your own story, this episode is all about turning “I care, but I don’t know where to start” into confident action. We talk funding, property taxes, trusted resources, and how to connect with candidates in a positive, productive way. If you’ve been waiting for the right year to get involved… this is it.

Student Voices on HB1481- "The Cell Phone Ban"

We’re thrilled to welcome three incredible Argyle ISD seniors — Kevin Cantrell, Emerson Payne, and Sunnie Fenoglio — to the podcast! In this episode, we dive into the real-time impact of House Bill 1481, exploring how it’s shaping student experiences right here in AISD. We’ll unpack what the law means, how our Argyle representatives voted, and what we’re already seeing in our schools as we wrap up the first quarter. 💬 Coming up next: our November Q&A episode — powered by you! We want to hear your questions about the legislative process, education-related bills, or the advocacy cycle. Submit your questions here: https://forms.gle/25khNc23HvcEgiNE6 [https://forms.gle/25khNc23HvcEgiNE6] We can’t wait to hear from you — and as always, thank you for joining us as we bridge the gap from Capitol to the Classroom! Sources referenced in this episode:  📚https://legiscan.com/TX 📚https://capitol.texas.gov/ 📚 https://abcnews.go.com/Politics/states-banning-cellphones-schools/story?id=125515186

Welcome to Capitol to the Classroom!

In our very first episode, we’re pulling back the curtain on how three AISD educators found themselves stepping into the world of advocacy for Texas public education. We’ll share how we got started speaking up on behalf of our school district, break down where things stand right now in the legislative process (in simple, classroom-friendly terms!), and explain how it all works without the political jargon. 🍎 Most importantly, we’re casting a vision for what’s ahead: future episodes filled with insights, stories, and conversations that connect the dots between lawmakers at the Capitol and the learning happening every day in our classrooms. 🏫✨ We're so glad you're here! ❤️