How angry parents helped flip Texas: choosing real education over culture wars

Anger over state education policies helped Texas Democrats make major gains in last Tuesday’s elections. Michelle Palmer won a seat on the state board of education, giving Democrats a probable majority there for the first time in more than 30 years, with one race still undecided.

Voters raised concerns about a $1bn voucher programme, Bible-based lessons, required classroom displays of the Ten Commandments and social studies standards critics say downplay slavery and other histories. An August poll found 45% of Texans disapproved of the state’s handling of K-12 education, compared with 28% who approved. The incoming board members say they want decisions to focus more on student learning and research, though Republican control of the state senate could limit wider changes.