Addressing the Digital Divide: Texas PTA Forms Texas Digital Access Coalition

COVID-19 has forced each of us to reassess how we operate within our home, workplace, and community. The pandemic has magnified many systemic inequities that the Texas Legislature must address during the upcoming legislative session (beginning January 2021) and well beyond. Namely, the digital divide, a person’s lack of access to a reliable device and broadband internet connection, has quickly become one of the largest barriers Texans young and old have been forced to overcome.

When the pandemic shuttered school buildings across the state, Texas PTA became increasingly concerned by the reports of hundreds of thousands of students unable to access the digital tools needed to be successful in virtual learning. While the transition to online learning and working was difficult for most, communities of low income, traditionally underserved populations, and rural areas felt the strain more than others. Students around the state and country have been unable to effectively receive quality educational services without access to connectivity and devices.

Texas PTA also knows that student success isn’t entirely dependent on their experience in the classroom. Many community-based services—like access to healthcare, vocational training or employment, and e-commerce—are just as critical to the success of our youth, their parents, and the communities where they live.

According to Connected Nation Texas, almost 1 million Texans do not have access to broadband at home. And at least 333,000 households with connectivity do not have the minimum connectivity necessary to attend school, visit a doctor online, or work from home.¹

Texas PTA has joined with the Greater Houston Partnership to co-found the Texas Digital Access Coalition (TDAC) and advocate for reliable, accessible, and affordable connectivity for all sectors of our state. Aiming to address this challenge from a broader lens, TDAC is bringing together not only advocates for education but also representatives from the healthcare and workforce development industries and from rural, urban, and suburban community employers. In today’s world, digital access is tied to success in school, work, and every aspect of daily life.

TDAC will advocate for a comprehensive plan and long-term funding to address disparities across the state caused by inequitable digital access. It is critical that all Texans have access to affordable connectivity and devices needed to utilize programs and services that support and enhance educational opportunities; increase the availability of telehealth services; and that help adults prepare for, secure, and advance in jobs and careers; and participate in e-commerce.

The COVID-19 pandemic revealed a 21st Century truth – digital access and digital literacy are essential. They level the playing field throughout all aspects of our lives. Texas PTA is excited to be working alongside not only our friends in the education sector but also with those who serve the welfare of our students and families through healthcare, workforce, and commerce.

 

¹https://connectednation.org/texas/what-can-texas-do/

Popsizzle

Sweet

Banana-Fana-Berry

1 ripe banana
12 strawberries
1/2 cup pineapple or orange juice

Blend the banana, strawberries, and juice until combined.
Fill popsicle molds three-quarters full.

Salty

Salted Caramel

1/2 cup almond milk
3 tablespoons salted caramel sauce
Crushed pretzels

Combine the milk and caramel sauce, mix gently.
Fill popsicle molds three-quarters full. Freeze.
Drizzle on caramel sauce and sprinkle with pretzels.

Sour

Lemon-Lime and Everything Fine

12 ounces lemon-lime soda or sparkling water
5 ounces sour gummy candy

Fill popsicle molds with liquid three-quarters full.
Drop in gummy candy and fill to the desired amount.
Freeze and enjoy!

Savory

Cold & Chili

5 cups chopped cherries
2 teaspoons Sriracha
16 ounces dark chocolate
4 teaspoons coconut oil

Blend cherries and Sriracha.
Fill popsicle molds with liquid three-quarters full.
Mix chocolate and oil together over low heat. Let cool.
Dip popsicles and allow to harden. Chill in the freezer.

Heroes Around Me

With the help of our Local and Council PTAs and their schools, Texas PTA paid visits to the campuses of our seven Outstanding Interpretation Award recipients for Reflections over several weeks beginning in late April. These visits were surprises to both the students and our wider community as we unveiled each awardee one by one.







An Original

To mark the centennial anniversary for a woman’s right to vote in Texas, KUT Austin spoke with “civic-minded Texas women who are changing our world today”, including Texas PTA President Sheri Doss. Listen to Sheri’s segment (“An Original”) online at the Texas Standard.

Audio transcript:

My name is Sheri Doss and I am the President of Texas PTA.

When I was going through high school and learning about the struggles that women and African Americans were going through just to even gain the right to vote, I made a promise to myself, that when I turn eighteen, I would definitely go vote. If for no other reason than just out of respect for the sacrifices they made [for me] to have this privilege. I really became passionate about voting and advocacy and civic engagement when I was elected to the State Board of Texas PTA.

I witnessed Texas PTA on one of our Rally Days. We were able to be successful in advocating to reduce the number of end of course exams for our students, and that’s when I realized that our voice matters. We can make a change if we do our research, advocate, and actually go to the polls and vote to have those decision makers in office that will make the decisions that we would like them to make.

PTA is really a network of millions of families, including parents, community members, and business members. Texas PTA is the second largest PTA with over half a million members. Those membership numbers matter in PTA because that is the power of our voice influencing any type of legislation.

It did start off as a mother’s club many many years ago in 1909 for Texas PTA. And we will be celebrating our 110th birthday, our anniversary, in October – October 19, 1909 is when we were initially established at the State Fair in Texas.

[Women] were being very influential with different laws around our kids, even before we had the right to vote. So when the suffrage came to a point where the women were really ready to do something about their own right to vote, naturally PTA was right there with them.

Now you see us in positions, like Congress which has the most women ever. And [Texas PTA] has a youth advocacy program coming up at UT in June and overwhelmingly the majority of the applicants were girls. So, I think it matters. We get the right to vote, we were able to influence and make a real difference in this country.

I happen to be the first African American President for Texas PTA and so those things are changing as well in terms of demographics for Texas PTA. So, everyone should be able to see a place for them to be a leader and have some influence on our children’s education and just their overall well-being.

REPRODUCED BY PERMISSION OF KUT AUSTIN.

Root Beer Pulled Pork

2 pounds pork shoulder butt roast
12 ounces root beer
14 ounces of your favorite barbeque sauce

Place roast in a 4- or 5-quart slow cooker.
Pour root beer over roast and cover.
Cook on low for 6-7 hours until meat is tender.
Drain root beer and shred meat with a fork.
Add barbeque sauce and serve on a bun!

Tip: Replace with pork tenderloin for a healthier option. Serve with spicy bread and butter pickles for extra yum!