Advocacy Toolkit

CTSBA has created an advocacy toolkit tailored to the needs of all school board trustees. This resource is designed to equip you with the essential tools and information necessary to effectively advocate for our students, teachers, and schools.

Create a culture of Voting

Texas Educators Vote have produced a flyer that contains more details about various elected government roles and the differences: 

  • Ask your Superintendent what your district does to get students registered to vote, teachers and staff and find out if the board can help remove barriers to access 

One resource could be the League of Women Voters

Speaking Engagements

Think of your education foundations, PTA/PTO, local chambers, etc and ask for just 15 minutes at one of their next meetings to do the following: brag on what is going on, on your campuuses and to share the CTSBA legislative message

Communicate legislative concerns

You first need to identity what are your district concerns, look at CTSBA message and talking points for a sample of concerns reflecting Region 13 

Work with board committee and/or Superintendent to discuss communication methods to share concerns and next steps 

You should also include updating lawmakers on your legislative concerns

Know your district’s data

A few questions to answer before reaching out to lawmakers:

Enrollment in district:

Number of languages spoken:

Eco Dis/At Risk/Student population dynamic:

How much do you spend per pupil:

What is the SPED amount you pay above what the state provides?

How many teachers? 

How much support staff? 

Can you define those quickly?


Invite lawmakers to district events

Pick out a few events you think your lawmakers would like to participate in and coordinate with the district as appropriate to issue invitations to the events, make sure you have hosts who are prepared to welcome your lawmakers when they arrive and will spend the duration of the visit available to answer any questions that may arise 

Regularly communicate about events and activities on campuses with your lawmakers through your board committee or your Superintendent’s office

Attend CTSBA meeting and events

CTSBA typically has a once a month meeting that is helpful to attend so you can share best practices with other trustees across the region 

CTSBA also will host several events outside the regular meeting time to help facilitate capacity building and networking with your local regional trustees