Celebrate Public Schools
PURPOSE
Grandparents for Public Schools works to strengthen and empower our public school system as an essential path to our nation’s future.
Grounded in our Texas Constitution, we are a statewide network uniting Texans who care about our grandchildren’s future — opposing privatization and advocating for excellent, equitable, and well-funded public schools for every child.
We believe our grandchildren are naturally curious and deserve access in their public schools to a wealth of knowledge, well-stocked libraries, and the skills to thrive in the world — learning to think critically, solve problems, and communicate effectively, all free from religious indoctrination.
We believe public schools are the best path to opportunity for all children and an essential part of our communities — uniting neighbors, strengthening community identity, and serving as a major economic resource. Defunding them would be catastrophic for our local and state economies as well as for our children’s future.
We believe grandparents bring talent, time, and a vote. When armed with knowledge of our state leadership’s lack of support for public schools — and their recent refusal to let Texans decide on vouchers on the ballot — grandparents are committed to making public education the top priority in every future election in Texas, especially for Texas House members, the State Board of Education, and local school boards, where it matters most.
OUTREACH
The organization’s audience is grandparents of public-school students as well as older adults who believe in supporting their communities through education. Many are retired educators, community volunteers, or long-time residents with multi-generational ties to their local schools. Their backgrounds span every race, religion, and region, but they are united by a fierce belief that public schools are worth defending. Their life experience lends credibility and compassion to the movement.
GPS gives its members a way to advocate for public schools during legislative sessions, on its social media, and during State Board of Education policy-making and meetings.
The organization also supports pro-public school candidates during state elections. GPS always welcomes local public school advocates as members.
Priorities -- Keep Public Ed Front and Center
Fund Public Schools First
We defend and uplift the schools at the heart of our future.
To counter threats, we will:
1. Build a strong member base of grandparents and grand friends.
2. Inform and educate members to advocate for well-resourced public schools and against privatization and the unchecked expansion of charter schools.
3. Actively influence state and local policy making.
2. Educate voters and promote pro-public-school voting at every level of government.
Reject Deceptive Voucher/ESA Schemes.
Vouchers and Education Savings Accounts divert taxpayer dollars from traditional public schools without accountability. GPS works to block any proposals that siphon funds away from the students who need them most.
Support Pro-Public Ed Leaders
Recognizing that quality public education transcends party lines, GPS supports and educates political and community leaders on the needs of public schools in Texas.