Angie Carraway: Texas Republicans Must ‘Own the Results’ on Public Schools

By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews

ALLEN, Texas — Democratic Texas House candidate Angie Carraway criticized state leaders over public school funding, teacher pay and education policy Saturday during a “Save Our Schools” town hall in Allen.

Carraway, a public school teacher entering her 15th year in the classroom, is challenging Republican State Rep. Candy Noble in Texas House District 89.

Teachers and parents spoke about school funding, special education, teacher retention, classroom mandates and Texas’ new Education Freedom Account program.

Carraway said Republicans who have controlled state government for decades should be held responsible for the results.

“They’ve held the governor’s office for 30 years. They’ve controlled the state legislature for 30 years,” Carraway said. “They have the votes. They have the power. They have the opportunity. So at some point, you have to own the results.”

“You don’t get to run Texas for 30 years and then act like somebody else broke it,” she said.

Teachers describe changes inside schools

Vickie Echols, a retired educator who began teaching in 1980, recalled starting with a $10,000 state base salary and a level of classroom autonomy she believes teachers have since lost.

“We had something priceless. We had professional trust,” Echols said.

She also described schools as more than places of instruction, recalling children who arrived hungry or dealing with difficult situations at home.

“It’s where kids get a warm meal. It’s where they feel community,” Echols said. “It’s the safety net that so many children in Texas need.”

Carraway offered an example from her own classroom. She said another class now uses her room during her conference period — the roughly 44 minutes she normally has for grading, planning, contacting parents and preparing lessons.

She said administrators were trying to make limited resources work.

“We figured it out because that’s what teachers do,” Carraway said. “But somewhere along the way, our ability to hold this system together was mistaken for evidence that the system is working. It isn’t.”

Carraway said teachers have repeatedly been asked to absorb new requirements.

“Another mandate, and then a requirement, another form. Another thing to document,” she said.

Teacher compensation was also part of her argument.

“Respect is what you fund. Respect is what you prioritize. Respect is what you do when Teacher Appreciation Week is over,” Carraway said.

The National Education Association puts the average Texas teacher salary at $63,749 and estimates Texas teachers earn about 76 cents for every dollar earned by comparable college-educated professionals with similar experience.

Special education and vouchers

Amanda Foster, who said she has spent 24 years in education, including as a general education teacher, special education teacher and instructional coach, warned about staffing and resources for students with disabilities.

“Special education is not a line in someone’s budget,” Foster said. “It is a child who needs speech therapy, a child who needs help from a paraprofessional.”

Foster also said she has seen relatively few students pursuing education during college orientations she attended with her children.

“That should concern everyone,” she said.

Justin Parker, a teacher and coach who said he served 28 years in the military and National Guard before entering public education, spoke both as an educator and the father of a son with autism.

“You cannot separate the strength of Texas from the strength of its public schools,” Parker said.

Texas’ Education Freedom Account program also drew criticism. Lawmakers appropriated $1 billion for its first year. More than 274,000 students applied, and the Texas Comptroller’s Office reported in August that 101,600 students had received funding.

Carraway’s campaign manager and brother questioned what protections follow students with disabilities when families use state money for private education.

“If some of the money follows the child, why doesn’t public protection also follow?” he asked.

Carraway draws contrast with Noble

The event opened with video of Noble and Democratic State Rep. James Talarico debating legislation requiring the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms. Noble was among the House sponsors of the measure, which became law in 2025.

Carraway later turned directly to Noble’s record.

“Candy Noble has spent four terms in the Texas House,” Carraway said. “I have spent 14 years in a Texas public school.”

“I don’t have to visit a classroom to find out what teachers are dealing with,” she said. “I go to work.”

Carraway called for funding schools based on the current cost of educating students, sustained teacher compensation, special education funding and support for educator pensions and health care.

“Public education is not something we deal with after Austin has finished everything else,” she said. “It’s one of the fundamental responsibilities of this state.”

Carraway said educators have already testified, called lawmakers and written to them, while parents, school boards and superintendents have also pushed for changes.

“They heard us, and they know,” she said.

She closed by turning that frustration toward the election.

“If they won’t properly fund our public schools, then we will elect people who will.”

“When Texas is making decisions about classrooms,” Carraway said, “I want somebody who’s actually stood in one.”