Spring ISD Students Advocate for Education Funding at Texas Capitol
A group of Spring ISD students traveled to the Texas State Capitol to meet with state representatives and advocate for education funding and policy changes affecting their district. The students, all members of the Superintendent’s Student Advisory Council, participated in discussions on school finance, Pre-K and special education funding, fine arts programs, and teacher support as they worked to bring awareness to the needs of public schools.
Student-Led Advocacy for Public Education
The trip was funded by The Houston Endowment, a philanthropic organization dedicated to strengthening public education in Houston. Raise Your Hand Texas, a nonprofit championing public schools, hosted the students, arranged meetings with legislators, and provided resources to help them articulate their concerns effectively.
“We wanted this to be an ignition,” said Natalia Gomez Ramback, senior regional advocacy director for Raise Your Hand Texas. “This needs to ignite something—not only in them but in the community. Let this be a guide to what we can do in the future.”
To prepare for their meetings, students were divided into groups, each focusing on one of five key topics, including Education Savings Accounts, basic allotment funding, Pre-K and special education funding, fine arts funding, and teacher support. For many, this experience was their first opportunity to directly engage with policymakers. Initially nervous, students quickly found confidence as they made their case for increased school funding and educational resources.
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Addressing Financial Challenges in Spring ISD
Spring ISD, like many Texas school districts, is navigating rising operational costs while state funding remains unchanged. The district faces increasing expenses in transportation, utilities, and food services, yet the state’s basic allotment—the per-student funding amount—has remained fixed at $6,160 since 2019, without adjustments for inflation.
“The state representatives and their staff have been amazed,” said Spring ISD Superintendent Dr. Lupita Hinojosa. “They see high school students who understand the power of advocacy, who can speak to the needs of their district. That’s incredible.”
Empowering Students Through Civic Engagement
As students engaged with lawmakers, their confidence grew, and their voices became stronger. They shared personal experiences and research-based arguments, demonstrating how education funding decisions impact their learning environments, teachers, and future opportunities.
“Bring your students!” encouraged FACE Civic Engagement Coordinator Dajauneke Minor. “They are the heart of why we’re here. It took a lot to get them here, but they had a great time and made an impact.”
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Advocacy Beyond the Capitol
As the students returned home, the impact of their advocacy work was clear. They had started the day as students and ended it as empowered advocates, recognizing the role they play in shaping their education system.
“Their voice matters,” Gomez Ramback said. “I am just so beyond proud of these students. They not only learned—they applied their learning in a way that empowers them even more.”
Spring ISD hopes this experience will encourage more students to engage in civic advocacy, ensuring that the voices of young leaders continue to shape the future of education in Texas.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
