Q&A: State Board of Education District 1 candidates in Nov. 5 general election
Candidates were asked to limit their responses to 100 words. Responses have been lightly edited for grammar.
What are your priorities for addressing the public education needs of El Paso, District 1 and the rest of Texas?Michael (Travis) Stevens: My priorities are as follows: 1) Equitable Funding: Ensure that all schools receive adequate funding to provide quality education. 2) Teacher Support and Development: Invest in teacher recruitment, retention, and professional development programs. 3) Curriculum Enhancement: Update and diversify the curriculum to reflect the needs of a diverse student body and prepare them for the challenges of the 21st century.
Gustavo Reveles: Within the roles of the SBOE, my priorities include the fair representation of all Texas students in curriculum development and textbook adoption. Extremists continue to make gains in getting elected into positions of influence over public education and are making headway in reversing the culture of non-partisan, secular and inclusive that has been the guiding light in the last couple of decades. I also want to bring more public attention to decisions made over the Permanent School Fund.
How would you evaluate textbooks in determining what materials are used for educating Texas students?Michael (Travis) Stevens: I would evaluate textbooks based on the following: 1) Alignment with State Standards: The textbook should align with the TEKS. 2) Content Accuracy: The information presented should be factually accurate and reflect the most current research/data available. 3) Inclusivity and Representation: Textbooks should represent diverse perspectives and include contributions from various cultural and demographic groups.
Gustavo Reveles: The experience of all Texas students should be taken into account when adopting curricula, textbooks and assessment standards. The state is aware of the challenges the current standards present to students of certain racial, ethnic, socio-economic and gender subgroups, as well as pupils who are English language learners and those in the LGBTQ community. We must put aside political rhetoric and respect the experiences of all students.
Please explain your stance on religion and religious stories in the Texas public school curriculum.Michael (Travis) Stevens: My stance is that religion and religious stories should not be included in the Texas public school curriculum, unless they are being used to provide historical, cultural, or literary insights to enrich students' understanding of the world. If included in the curriculum, these stories should be presented in a manner that is objective and educational, rather than doctrinal. This means focusing on the role these stories have played in shaping societies, cultures, and historical events, rather than promoting any particular religious view.
Gustavo Reveles: Texas schools have developed systems and regulations that guarantee and protect a student's right to express and practice their religion while attending public school. That right should be protected. However, the inclusion of one religion over another in the state curriculum — especially religious beliefs that contradict established science or infringe on the rights of all Texas students — have no place in the classroom.
Are the current graduation requirements in Texas adequate? Please explain your response.Michael (Travis) Stevens: I do not feel that the graduation requirements in Texas are adequate. First, the curriculum lacks the rigor to prepare students for the pursuit of their college, career, or military goals after graduation and fails to meet the diverse learning needs of all Texas students. Additionally, factoring in STAAR testing as part of the graduation requirements diminishes the true academic achievements of students, as the negative effects of STAAR far outweigh the positive.
Gustavo Reveles: The state has a wide array of graduation plans that allow students to complete high school, more needs to be done to make sure students are pushed toward higher-rigor plans that requests more credits in areas such as STEM and additional classes aimed to earn students endorsements in an area of interest for them. School districts that place higher priority on high-rigor gradation plan should be recognized and commended.
State Board of Education members are elected in partisan races. What does your party affiliation tell voters about how you would perform your duties if elected?Michael (Travis) Stevens: My party affiliation tells voters that my values are conservative in nature, however I do not feel that party affiliation defines how I would perform my duties if elected. The SBOE election is partisan, but the position is not. The SBOE is tasked with making decisions that are in the best interest of all public school teachers and students, not just in the interest of one party. My decisions will be solely based on the educational needs presented to me, not on a party platform.
Gustavo Reveles: I've chosen to run as a Democrat as this party continues to focus on values and beliefs that mirror mine. Democrats continue to advocate for the rights of minorities, the poor, immigrants, the LGBTQ community and women. Groups such as Moms for Liberty, which traditionally present themselves as members of the opposite party, continue to focus on extreme restrictions that aim to disenfranchise the same groups Democrats seek to empower.
