Texas Tech University

Texas Tech to host education policy panel discussion online

Robert Stein

November 19, 2018

Among the policy topics covered will be public school finance, school choice, teacher workforce, immigration and shifting demographics.

Texas capitol and flags

The Texas Tech University College of Education is hosting a webinar Dec. 3 where policy experts, faculty members and other panelists will discuss the education landscape in Texas ahead of the January start of state and federal legislative sessions. Anyone with an interest in education policy is invited to tune in and ask questions.

Titled "Texas Education Policy in a Post-Election Landscape," the webinar runs from 3 p.m. to 4 p.m. and will feature a 40-minute panel discussion followed by a question-and-answer period with the audience. It will be facilitated via Skype for Business. Click here for more information on how to view and participate.

Among the policy topics covered will be public school finance, school choice, teacher workforce, immigration and shifting demographics. Panelists will discuss these subjects in light of the November midterm elections, which saw a greater number of Democrats elected to the Texas Legislature and Congress.

"Important changes are on the horizon for education in Texas and beyond in the wake of the recent elections," said Alexander Wiseman, a professor in the Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership at Texas Tech who is moderating the discussion. "This panel will provide insight into what changes are coming and which ones will have the most impact on educators, students and communities."

Panelists include:

  • Josh Childs, assistant professor of educational policy and planning at The University of Texas at Austin
  • Jessica Gottlieb, assistant professor of STEM education in the Department of Educational Psychology and Leadership at the Texas Tech College of Education
  • David Hinojosa, national director of policy for Intercultural Development Research Association
  • Bob Popinski, director of policy for Raise Your Hand Texas
  • Michelle Smith, director of government relations for Raise Your Hand Texas

The event is a project of faculty members affiliated with Texas Tech's new education leadership policy Ph.D program. The fully online degree program is designed to help students become critically engaged policymakers who can create, enact and evaluate educational policy with a focus on educational access. The program prepares students for leadership positions in a wide variety of settings, including school districts, universities, government agencies, nonprofits and policy think tanks.

CONTACT: Robert Stein, media relations specialist, College of Education, Texas Tech University, (806) 834-7758 or robert.stein@ttu.edu