Defeat Isn’t Permanent

What to Know: Episode 2 of TPPF’s powerful film series, “Forging Texas,” will be released today. The episode is titled “Season of Defeat.”

The TPPF Take: It’s more important that ever that we remember the lives that were lost and sacrifices that were made to win freedom in Texas.

“In Episode 2 of our ‘Forging Texas’ film series, we tell the disturbing—and true—story of the Goliad massacre,” says TPPF’s Kevin Roberts. “More than 400 brave Texian prisoners of war were killed by Mexican Gen. Santa Anna’s troops, in defiance of the accepted rules of war. But the tyrant didn’t crush a rebellion, as he hoped. Instead, he added fuel to the flame of revolution.”

View “Forging Texas: Season of Defeat,” click here.

Schools Serving Fewer and Fewer

What to Know: Dallas ISD, the second largest school district in Texas, has lost contact with a record number of students. “Halfway through the school year and some 12,000 Dallas ISD students—in all grades—just aren’t coming to class.”

The TPPF Take: Most school districts, including large institutions like Dallas ISD, are educating fewer students. In fact, one recent report suggests “…75% of [public school districts] saw a decrease in enrollment during the 2020-21 year compared to 2019-20.” Shrinking enrollment should spur school district spending cuts.

“Public schools are teaching fewer students. In some cases, the enrollment drop is pronounced and expected to last well into the future. Because of this, policymakers should prompt school districts to cut spending and right-size their operations to match the moment,” says TPPF’s James Quintero.

For more on TPPF’s educational priorities, click here.

Pandemic Panic

What to Know: Despite dire predictions, there was no documented surge of child abuse cases due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The TPPF Take: Unfounded panic over this expected surge shows the need for reforming Child Protective Services.

“It is well-documented that child welfare suffers from a problem of over-reporting, which strains limited taxpayer resources and increases the risk that children in actual danger of harm will fall through the cracks,” says TPPF’s Andrew Brown. “This is particularly dangerous in states like Texas, which allow for anonymous reporting. Studies show that 16 percent of hotline calls are from anonymous sources and only 1.5 percent of these reports go on to indicate abuse or neglect.”

For more on CPS reform, click here.