The 15 members of the State Board of Education set statewide curriculum and standards, review and adopt educational materials, and consider proposed awards for new charter schools. District 1 includes El Paso and 29 other counties, most of which are located in West Texas and along the Mexican border.
Who is running for this seat?
michael stevens
Michael (Travis) Stevens, 43, Republican, is an educator.
Gustavo Leveles
Gustavo Leveles (49, Democrat) is a public school administrator.
candidate survey
Candidates were asked to limit their answers to 100 words or less. Answers have been lightly edited for grammar.
What are your priorities for addressing the public education needs of El Paso, District 1, and the rest of Texas?
Michael (Travis) Stevens: My priorities are: 1) Equitable Funding: Ensure all schools receive adequate funding to provide quality education. 2) Teacher Support and Development: Invest in teacher recruitment, retention, and professional development programs. 3) Curriculum Strengthening: Update and diversify our curriculum to reflect the needs of our diverse student body and prepare for the challenges of the 21st century.
Gustavo Reveles: In my role at SBOE, my priorities include ensuring that all Texas students are fairly represented in curriculum development and textbook adoption. Extremists continue to profit from being elected to influential positions in public education and are working to reverse the nonpartisan, secular, and inclusive culture that has been the guiding principle for the past few decades. . We also want to draw more public attention to decisions surrounding permanent school funding.
How do you evaluate textbooks when determining what materials are used to educate Texas students?
Michael (Travis) Stevens: I evaluate textbooks based on the following criteria: 1) Alignment with state standards: Textbooks must be aligned with TEKS. 2) Content Accuracy: Information presented must be factually accurate and reflect the latest research/data available. 3) Inclusivity and Representation: Textbooks should represent diverse perspectives and include contributions from various cultural and demographic groups.
Gustavo Reveles: The experiences of all Texas students should be considered when adopting curriculum, textbooks, and assessment standards. The state recognizes the challenges that current standards pose to students from certain racial, ethnic, socioeconomic, and gender subgroups, as well as English language learners and students in the LGBTQ community. We must set aside political rhetoric and respect the experiences of all students.
Please describe your stance on religion and religious narratives in the Texas public school curriculum.
Michael (Travis) Stevens: My position is that religious or spiritual stories that should not be included in the Texas public school curriculum. If these stories are to be incorporated into the curriculum, they should be presented in an objective and pedagogical manner rather than a doctrinal one. This means focusing on the role these stories have played in shaping society, culture, and historical events, rather than promoting particular religious views.
Gustavo Rebeles: Texas schools have developed systems and regulations that guarantee and protect students’ right to express and practice their religion while attending public schools. That right should be protected. But the inclusion of one religion over another in the state curriculum, especially religious beliefs that contradict established science or violate the rights of all Texas students, has no place in the classroom. there is no.
Are Texas’ current graduation requirements appropriate? Please explain your response.
Michael (Travis) Stevens: I don’t believe Texas’ graduation requirements are sufficient. First, the curriculum lacks the rigor to prepare students to pursue college, career, or military goals after graduation and fails to meet the diverse learning needs of all Texas students. Additionally, taking the STAAR test into account as part of graduation requirements reduces students’ true academic performance, as the negative effects of the STAAR far outweigh the positive effects.
Gustavo Revelles: The state has a wide range of graduation plans to help students graduate from high school, but more work needs to be done to ensure students progress to more rigorous plans that require more credits in fields such as STEM. It is necessary. Gain support from students in areas of interest. School districts that prioritize more rigorous phasing plans should be recognized and applauded.
Members of the State Board of Education are elected through partisan elections. What does your party tell voters about how you will perform your duties if elected?
Michael (Travis) Stevens: My political party tells voters that my values are conservative in nature, but how I would carry out my duties if elected. I don’t feel it’s determined by political party affiliation. The SBOE election is partisan, but the positions are not. The SBOE is tasked with making decisions that are in the best interests of all public school teachers and students, not just one party’s interests. My decisions are based solely on the educational needs presented to me, not on the party platform.
Gustavo Reveles: I have decided to run as a Democrat because this party continues to focus on the same values and beliefs as mine. The Democratic Party continues to advocate for the rights of minorities, the poor, immigrants, the LGBTQ community, and women. Groups such as Moms for Freedom have traditionally claimed to be members of the opposing party, but aim to disenfranchise the same groups that Democrats seek to empower. and continues to focus on extreme limitations.
