Politics Done Right

Karina Quesada Leon appeared on PDR to discuss the State of Texas takeover of the Houston Independent School District in an attempt to privatize it. The Houston Independent School District (HISD) has been taken over by the state of Texas, a move seen by many as an attempt to privatize the district, fostering control eventually through private charter schools. The takeover was facilitated by the implementation of laws such as HB 1842 and SB 1365, which introduced the concept of “districts of innovation,” allowing districts to exempt themselves from various Texas Education Code regulations, including the requirement to have certified teachers and maintaining a limit on class sizes. Karina Quesada-Leon, a mother of three and former teacher, discussed her dismissal from the district advisory committee (DAC) by the new administration following the takeover. She noted that the DAC is primarily an advisory body without substantial power. However, it plays a significant role in approving plans for a district to beco