Coalition Building
Empowering Communities to Spark Change
When community members are empowered, well-organized, and supported, they become a powerful force for good. Our work equips communities with actionable tools and information that prepare them to effectively advocate for policies and practices that dismantle historic inequities in education and improve student outcomes, school board accountability, and voter engagement on education-related issues. Together, with our network, we are transforming education.
Why It Matters
When you have a vote, you have a voice. Positive, systemic change in public education only happens when individuals throughout the community come together and use their unique perspectives and influence to further our shared goal. We believe that every voice matters and that the voices closest to the issue matter the most. Therefore, we are committed to creating a seat at the table for students, parents, teachers, neighbors, local organizations, and others in the community to not just offer their valuable perspective, but to actually lead the work. Our role is to lift up and support these coalitions.
“TCEC [Tarrant County Education Coalition] members were instrumental in their mobilization efforts to ensure that Texas students benefited from the release of 15 billion dollars of ESSER funding during the last Texas legislative session.”
— Matthew Hall, Senior Regional Advocacy Director, Raise Your Hand Texas
How We Do It
Leadership ISD, along with its network of alumni and partners, leads the effort to engage stakeholders on important issues related to education. By building relationships with education-focused organizations and leaders, we form values-aligned coalitions that:
Host Community Forums
Our coalitions organize community conversations, issue intensives, and round table events that engage key stakeholders and elevate community voices.
Lead Partner Collaboratives
Our coalitions build relationships with education-focused organizations and leaders so we can work together to create the needed conditions for equity in our public schools.
Hold School Boards Accountable
Our coalitions attend and speak at school board meetings, partnering with local organizations to distribute candidate questionnaires, and promote get-out-the-vote (GOTV) efforts.
Coalitions We Support
Impact DeSoto
Impact DeSoto was formed in 2021 by a passionate group of Leadership ISD Fellows who recognized the critical role that school board trustees play in improving student outcomes and the need for community members to hold their local school board accountable. The coalition focuses on voter education and engagement in DeSoto ISD to ensure that residents clearly understand the role of trustees, turn out to vote, and advocate for educational equity and student-centered policies at board meetings.
Impact
Impact DeSoto significantly increased informed voter turnout in the May 2022 school board elections by hosting a series of data-focused community events that educated voters about the roles and responsibilities of the DeSoto ISD school board, connected trustee actions to student outcomes, and helped attendees assess candidates using research-based tools. The coalition also distributed candidate questionnaires aligned to the specific roles and responsibilities of school board trustees and shared them with the community to help voters make informed decisions. Additionally, Impact DeSoto partnered with trusted community partners to host candidate forums and engaged in Get Out the Vote! efforts.
For more information and to get involved, please complete this form and/or email info@leadershipisd.org.
Tarrant County Education Coalition
The Tarrant County Education Coalition (TCEC) exists to cultivate a culture of cross-collaboration between local stakeholders and agencies to ensure an equitable educational ecosystem that effectively serves all students across Tarrant County. TCEC connects local partners to improve communication, share information across our network to drive collective action, and develop community-driven priorities for school leaders to uplift students, schools, and communities. Additionally, TCEC mobilizes individuals to advocate for equitable education policy and practice at the state and local levels.
Impact
TCEC was instrumental in the creation of the FWISD/Tarrant County Area food bank in creating food centers for students and their families during the COVID-19 crisis to combat childhood hunger and food insecurity across many neighborhoods that are considered food deserts.
TCEC members identified a critical lack of access to technology within communities of color during the COVID-19 pandemic and worked with Fort Worth ISD and other community partners to support online learning and narrow the digital divide.
During the 87th State Legislature TCEC was part of a robust state-wide network that led to the State of Texas releasing 15 billion dollars of ESSER funding to school districts and public charters across Texas.
For more information and to get involved, please email info@leadershipisd.org.
Want to start a coalition in your district?
If you want to work with others to positively impact your local school district but do not know where to start, we would love to help you and other like-minded individuals in your community start a coalition to improve student outcomes and student experience!
Please email info@leadershipisd.org to start the conversation. We are eager to have an initial conversation with you, discuss the needs and opportunities in your district, and plan next steps together. We have the tools, resources, and experience to help you move forward.